After speculation of the Canadian Lacrosse League folding, CLax took a positive step forward by conducting its third entry draft, this year at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena. With the National Lacrosse League downsizing rosters, this leaves great talent off the floors of the big leagues and will boost the talent pool for CLax in the 2014 season.
After a tough season in 2013, the Barrie Blizzard held the first overall pick in the draft and selected Oshawa, ON native Mitch Wilde. After just failing to crack the Buffalo Bandits full time roster and landing on the practice squad, the 6’3″, 210 lb. transition player has the potential to be an impact player in the two way style of league until GM Steve Dietrich believes Wilde is ready for the call.
The Durham Turfdogs’ new General Manager Dave Colbourne made his first draft selection as roster boss, continuing the Whitby Warrior theme and selecting Courtice, ON native Nick Diachenko. The former University of Delaware Fighting Hen was cut by the Bandits and the Rock this NLL preseason but has a bright future in professional lacrosse. Like Wilde, Diachenko’s frame and athleticism provides substantial potential for success in CLax.
New to CLax in 2014, the SouthWest Cyclops selected Orangeville Northmen product Blair Goss with their first ever draft pick and the third selection overall. The Fergus, ON native was selected 36th overall in the fourth round by the Vancouver Steath in this years NLL draft. The 6’0”, 205 lb. transition player posted just three points in 20 games with the Northmen in the Ontario Junior A Lacrosse League.
Rounding out the first round was Vermont University grad AJ Masson being selected by fourth overall by the Niagara Lock Monsters. The transition player from Newmarket, ON was drafted 12th overall by Philadelphia this past year but did not crack the Wings roster. Masson posted a stellar 14 goals, 18 assists for 32 points for the Oakville Rock in his rookie campaign in Major Series Lacrosse last summer.
The streak of transition/defenders came to an end as the Niagara Lock Monsters selected former Coquitlam Adanac netminder Davide DiRuscio. The Oakville, ON native is making a comeback to the game after breaking his leg in his draft year of 2012. DiRuscio posted a league best 4.32 GAA and second best save percentage of 87.64% in his final year of BCJALL action. There is no doubt with his size and goaltending ability from his junior ranks show great potential for DiRuscio, but it may take a while for the 21-year-old netminder to get back into the swing of things after a full season away from the pipes.
A pair of former NLL players rounded out the second round of the draft as SouthWest selected former Buffalo Bandit and Rochester Knighthawk Jim Purves and six year veteran Mike Hominuck was drafted by the Lock Monsters.
Other notables being selected in the 2014 entry draft included:
Eric Pitre (SouthWest/Round 3),
Jordan Houtby (Niagara/Round 4)
Scott Johnston (SouthWest/Round 4),
Jeff Swift (Barrie/Round 5),
Gavin Prout (Niagara/Round 5)
Dylan Goddard (Durham/Round 6)
Zach Palmer (Barrie/Round 10),
Emerson Clark (Durham/Round 10)
Stephen Bourden (Durham/Round 11).
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