The Supplemental Draft doesn’t (always) net a team the biggest names in MLL, but it’s a nice place to add depth to a team. Given the right opportunity, a player who may not have had a chance with another squad could really flourish with his new team.
Some names that were scooped up in last year’s draft were Chazz Woodson, MLL Defender of the Year Lee Zink, Ari Sussman and Brett Hughes. All of those players made huge contributions to their teams and the league last year.
Here are some 2012 selectees that could match that level of play next season.
Mark Millon, A, Rochester Rattlers
There was a lot of surprise when Millon was taken No. 1 by the Rattlers. He’s 41-years-old. He hasn’t played in the league since 2007 and even then he played in only five games that year.
But guys like John Grant Jr. and Casey Powell have proven that the older guys can still hang in this league. Millon is a former league MVP and US Lacrosse Hall of Famer for a reason.
In an interview with the MLL website, Millon expects that he won’t be playing as an MVP candidate this year but feels he can still contribute to a team. He won’t be expected to carry a Rattlers offense featuring players like Ned Crotty, Billy Bitter, Matt Striebel, Steve DeNapoli , Brad Ross and Rob Rotanz. He will add even more veteran leadership and an extra weapon to this offense next season.
Kevin Cunningham, A/M, Hamilton Nationals
The Nationals struggled last year when the majority of their roster was playing in the NLL to start the season. They’ll need some guys to contribute in the early part of the year.
Cunningham didn’t get a chance to play for the Cannons last season but he has some talent. The 19th overall pick in the 2012 Collegiate Draft scored a total of 69 goals and 81 assists in 57 career games at Villanova. He was a team captain his senior year as well as earning a selection to the USILA Honorable Mention All-American team and First-Team All-Big East.
He played as an attack in college and is listed as a midfielder in the supplemental draft list. His versatility should come in handy. He should get a shot, at least early on, in Hamilton and could make a big impact.
Tim Fallon, FO, Charlotte Hounds
When Geoff Snider starts the season in the NLL the Hounds will need to be able to survive at the X to begin the season. Fallon should be a good stop-gap solution and even compete for the starting job as the season continues.
He won the most face-offs for the Rattlers last season (89) and finished the season with a 45.4 winning percentage. After not playing in any games in 2011, last season was really his rookie year. With more experience now Fallon should continue to progress.
Diogo Godoi, D, Ohio Machine
He only played in one game last season but Ohio was a good place for him to land. The Machine will be looking to replace the retiring Brett Hughes and improve their defense. Godoi is six-feet-three-inches tall and 220 pounds. He’s a big, physical presence in the back. Standing alongside All-Star Greg Bice should help improve his defensive discipline and improve his game.
Adam Jones, M, Denver Outlaws
He played in two games last season for Hamilton and scored only one goal. In his lacrosse career he has always been very good at piling on the points. He was the 2012 NLL Rookie of the Year thanks to his 29 goals and 47 assists. At Canisius College he was the first player in program history to earn All-American honors. He had 98 career goals and 31 career assists. In the U-19 World Field Lacrosse Championships he was named the MVP and Top Midfielder, led all scorers with five goals in the championship game and helped Canada win a silver medal.
Denver will be looking for strong depth in its midfield and Jones seems like he could fit in very well with that high scoring team.
