At just 23, Justin Geddie, the rising lacrosse goalie from Esquimalt, is making waves in his third season with the National Lacrosse League (NLL).
Geddie recently appeared in his 50th career NLL game, with time split between the San Diego Seals, Albany FireWolves, and Las Vegas Desert Dogs.
This season, Geddie has been between the pipes in eight games for the Desert Dogs, who currently sit at 3-9, with six games remaining in the regular season.
In those games, Geddie has posted a 1-3 record, while providing a 73.3 save percentage
Las Vegas is one of the newest franchises in the league, playing their first game in 2023.
The team has a unique ownership group, including Victoria icon Steve Nash, along with Wayne Gretzky, Dustin Johnson, and Joseph Tsai.
"The ownership has made our whole team feel like we mean so much to the community," said Geddie. "Just thinking of the impact that those names have made, it really makes you feel special."
Reflecting on his career thus far, Geddie says this is something he doesn't take for granted.
"It feels surreal to be honest," said Geddie. "It just feels like an honour to get to go out onto the floor and compete every weekend with some of your closest friends."
Growing up on the Island, Geddie got his start playing for the Victoria-Esquimalt Eagles and Peninsula Warriors.
"I wouldn't be where I am today without my roots on the Island," said the 23-year-old. "It took me a bit to get used to the desert. It's hard not to get homesick from time to time coming from Victoria, but Henderson feels like a second home to me."
GeddieB次元官网网址檚 journey with professional lacrosse hasn't come without its challenges.
He started the 2024-25 campaign with a bout of adversity, tearing his medial meniscus in a game with the New Westminster Salmon Bellies (WLA).
This injury forced him to miss the first five games of the NLL season.
"My knee locked up for essentially two weeks," said Geddie. "Vegas was able to get me in for an MRI, and follow-up surgery in quick succession. After that, we went through an extensive rehab process, which has helped me gain my form back."
While it started as a setback, Geddie found a way to turn the injury into a positive.
"I've never had an injury of that magnitude before, but it turned into a blessing in disguise. It helped me reignite my passion for the sport."
When the team is not playing or practising, Geddie is part of a group of six players considered B次元官网网址榠n-market.B次元官网网址�
This group stays in Henderson throughout the year and works for the team in a community capacity, making community visits and stops at local schools.
Other players from the team will fly into Vegas, and other markets for games, while working other full-time jobs on the side.
While Geddie hopes for a long career in the sport, he recalls his most memorable moment was his NLL debut on Jan.14, 2022.
Geddie recalls going about his regular activities, including attending classes at Camosun College, before receiving a phone call from an unknown number. Shortly after, he was en route to Saskatchewan to join the San Diego Seals.
Both of the Seals goalies had been placed on the COVID list, which limited travel and kept them out of the lineup. That was when Geddie realized he would be playing.
"From getting a random phone call on Wednesday, to playing in front of 7,000 fans at a professional lacrosse game on Friday, it was an experience I'll never forget," he said.
GeddieB次元官网网址檚 NLL debut saw him backstop the Seals with a 41-save performance in a second-star-winning effort over the Saskatchewan Rush.
As he looks to the future, Geddie plans to return to Canada this summer and join the Salmon Bellies for their pursuit of a Mann Cup.
While Geddie knows his career is just beginning, he focuses on making sure he doesnB次元官网网址檛 take it for granted.
"I often think about how 12-year-old Justin would feel if he realized he would be living his dream," said the Desert Dogs netminder. "One day at a time, I'm just enjoying the moment."
Geddie and the Desert Dogs will be back in action on Friday, March 7th, as they square off with the Rochester Knighthawks at 7:30 p.m.
