In the first two weeks of our “Best of the Rest’ series we’ve focused on Ontario based players, this week will take you out to the West Coast and take a look at a couple Maple Ridge Burrards, an a recent WLA Champion from the Victoria Shamrocks. The WLA has an abundance of talent just waiting to get their shot at the NLL level. Some knock the Western league because they haven’t had a Mann Cup Champion since 2005, some knock the BC Jr. A league because they have had just one Minto Cup Champion since 2005, but any knowledgeable lacrosse mind will tell you the talent coming out of BC is just as good as the talent coming out of Ontario. These three guys featured in this weeks “Best of the Rest” series are proof of the talent BC has to offer, any of the 3 in my opinion could be thrown on to a NLL roster today an contribute.
Mike Mallory (O) – Maple Ridge Burrards (WLA)
Mike Mallory has put up points wherever he has played throughout his career, with the Delta Islanders he twice finished in the top 3 in BC Jr. A scoring (2010, 2012). He’s continued to score at the WLA level putting up 14 goals & 21 assists for 35 points in 16 games this past season with the Maple Ridge Burrards. Mallory was originally drafted by the Washington Stealth in the 3rd round of the 2011 NLL draft, he only managed to sneak into one game with the Stealth however. Since then Mallory has yet to get a sniff at the NLL level, although he is one of the most deserving of any of the players we’ll profile throughout this series. Mallory is the complete package, he has great size at 6’2, 190, an absolute rocket of an outside shot, great floor vision making him a dynamic play maker and outstanding athletic ability. Mallory is a team first guy, always willing to do what is asked of him and puts his teammates first, he’s dropped the gloves in defense of teammates on a few occasions. What I find most appealing about Mallory is his ability to adapt to any situation he’s put in by his coaching staff, he can contribute on the power player or simply be a depth offensive threat. Recently he’s been playing in the shadow of all world player an Calgary Roughneck Curtis Dickson, and this season’s 1st overall pick Ben McIntosh, and still contributing as the teams 4th or 5th options on most nights, as Edmonton Rush forwards Riley Loewen & Jarrett Davis also demand touches on the offensive side of the ball. Mallory never complains about playing time or offensive touches simply does whatever it takes to win. Considering he’d likely slip onto an NLL roster as a teams 4th or 5th option on offense, NLL GM’s should be thrilled to see he excels in that role already with Burrards. Mallory often gets over looked because he is such a depth option on Maple Ridge’s very deep offense, however when given the opportunity to be a number one or two option he can be as potent as a scorer as anyone, as evidence of his 252 points in 60 games during his Jr. A career. Given Mallory’s all around play and natural ability mixed with his great team first attitude and willingness to win, he would be an excellent addition to any NLL roster in the upcoming season.
Andrew Murphy (O) – Maple Ridge Burrards (WLA)
Andrew Murphy is one of the most over looked players on a Maple Ridge Burrards team stacked with offensive stars. Murphy does the little things that make an offense successful that the average lacrosse fan wouldn’t notice but coaches and teammates appreciate to know end. His toughness on the floor makes other players play a foot bigger and gives them much needed space to work their magic. Murphy is no slouch offensively himself, having put up 22 goals & 26 assists for 48 points in 18 games in 2014. Murphy stand’s 6 foot 2 and weighs in at 190 and is extremely athletic. His fast hands, quick feet, and rocket of a shot make him hard to defend, throw in his toughness and Murphy is a very dynamic offensive threat. Murphy has spent four season’s with the WLA’s Maple Ridge Burrards and throughout those four season’s he’s amassed 131 points on 55 goals & 76 assists in just 60 games. For a guy with such dynamic skills, who is usually the 5th or 6th option on the Burrards offense, an average of over 2 points per game is a very impressive statistic. In Murphy’s one season away from the WLA (2012) he tore up the Sr. B West Coast Lacrosse League scoring 35 goals and 42 assists for 77 points in 19 games, which was good enough for 3rd in league scoring. Those impressive stats lead Murphy to be named a 1st Team All-Star of the West Coast Lacrosse League. Murphy still just 26 years old (27 in November) definitely still has a lot to offer any NLL team.
Ethan Garland (T/D) – Victoria Shamrocks (WLA)
Ethan Garland is coming off a very impressive rookie season with the WLA Champion Victoria Shamrocks, having suited up for 17 regular season games, 4 playoff games and 2 Mann cup games. Garland was able to tally 4 goals & 7 assists for 11 points in those 17 regular season games, although his contributions tailed off with less playing time during the playoffs and Mann Cup run Garland’s rookie season was a huge success. Passed over in the recent NLL draft Garland has all the attributes needed to be successful in today’s NLL. A smart, fast, aggressive defender, with above average hands, great floor vision and the ability to anticipate plays make him a treat to watch on defense. Garland is a player that has played every position throughout his 16 years of lacrosse, from offense to defense to a transition role. Given the way NLL defenses are moving toward having quick, athletic transition guys Garland absolutely fits the mould, which is why it was so surprising to see him go undrafted this season. Garland readily recognizes he has room to grown and lots to learn as a pro lacrosse player, but also possess a fantastic work ethic, a willingness to learn an a love for the game. It might take Garland another season at the WLA level before NLL general managers start to really take note of him, but I have no doubt in my mind Garland will be making an impact at the NLL within the next couple of seasons.
