New England Black Wolves went into this draft knowing what they were doing. This team made a tone of quality picks and great trades during the their first NLL draft. New England went after some players who not only know how to play but guys who have won championships at all levels whether it is college or SR A. After trading a way Jordan Hall to Rochester and some future picks to Calgary. New England ended up with picks 6th,8th, 11th, 27 and number 28. some of these high picks add great value to this team.
Mark Cockerton- Cockerton put great numbers at Virginia since day 1 on campus. In Junior A he helped lead Whitby to a 2011 Minto cup championship and scored 286 points in his career which are some great numbers. He also put up 15 points in 8 in Senior A with the Brooklin Redman while also having a great Rookie year in the MLL for the Rattlers. He can be a future star for this young franchise.
Quinn Poweless- Quinn is the first of many Native Americans the Black Wolves took in this draft. He won a Founders with Six Nation Rebels and championships with Onondaga Community College. He made it big this summer though helping lead the Arrows to the Minto cup while putting up some highlight goals and passes. Quinn can also face off and has some size to him as well. He also played CLax this 2014 season with the Ohsweken Demons where he showed he could hang with the older players. He great pick at number 8.
Rod Squire- Like Cockerton Rods father was a great NLL player to go a long with his uncle for the Toronto Rock. Rod came on strong in 2011 while playing for the Arrows and after his Junior Career was over in 2012 he went on to win back to back Mann cups with the Six Nation Chiefs. Rod has played in 25 games in the past two seasons and has showed to be a great talent. He also has back to back championships with Onondaga Community College.
Matt Crough – spent years tearing up Junior A for the Peterbourgh Lakers scoring a number of points . While in Senior A he has shown to be more of a role player. With or without the ball Crough is very talented and can help the ball club out. In college he was a All American a Onondaga Community College and Division 2 Dowling College. He will be joined with college teammate Sheldon burns who is a strong transition player for the Brooklin Redman.
Other Natives Josh Johnson and Ty Thompson show great promise. Josh another Arrows and Six Nation player who has had a great Junior A career. Ty who put up big numbers with his cousins at Albany also played Sr. B ball the best two summers with Kanhawake Mohawks leading the team to the Presidents cup both years.
Other big pick ups were trades to get former Minnesota Swarm Jay Card and Six Nations Chief and Mammoth player Mike McNamara who is a strong defender. After all these picks and trades I would give the New England Black Wolves a well deserved A+ on the draft.
