THIRD ROUND
20. New England: Shane MacDonald—Ranked at #18, MacDonald has put up 199 career points in Jr A. He is a guy who could sneak into the second round or even the first if a team reaches. If he’s still on the board New England will take him.
21. Vancouver: Andrew Smistad—Ranked at #16, Smistad is a top three or four defender in the draft. Based out of Calgary via the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League, he found his way in MSL in Ontario. Vancouver needs some defensive depth so Smistad could be a good option.
22. New England: Matthew Bennett—Ranked at #17, Bennett makes sense for the New England Blackwolves. He’s played at the pro level with CLax, has played in Jr B and A and is a very physical player who brings attitude. Could be a nice guy to add some identity to the new club.
23. Rochester: Quinn Powless—Ranked at #29, Powless was made for Rochester. He had a huge Jr A Minto Cup series with the Arrows and his stock has raised. He might even go higher than the third round.
24. Buffalo: Jayson Crawford—Ranked at #22, Crawford is another Jr B player looking to get a chance. This spot might be a reach but he is one of the better options for defense in a draft that lacks it. Buffalo needs some defense depth and they always use their practice roster spots, so this is something that could happen.
25. Vancouver: Brock Levick—Ranked at #25, Levick has played at nearly every level possible. The CUFLA, Sr B, Sr A, and Jr B, Levick brings a wealth of experience to an NLL club. He is great around the net and could make a roster this year.
26. Calgary: Jordan Dance—Ranked at #26, Dance has shone with the Jr A Orangeville Northmen and played a few games at the pro level with CLax in 2013. He also had Jr B experience before he exploded as a viable prospect in Orangeville.
27. Calgary: Dan Charlton—Ranked at #24, Charlton had more than 340 points in his Jr B career. Since they are so deep and have so many picks, Calgary is a team that could take a flyer on him and see how the Jr B stud works out in an NLL camp.
28. Rochester: Patrick Miles—Ranked at #27, Miles is a decent option for defensive depth for Rochester. He’s out of Brampton and played defense in front of Adam Shute in the NCAA at New England College.
FOURTH ROUND
29. Minnesota: Kyle Potter—Ranked at #43, Minnesota doesn’t have a lot of picks and they want to take advantage of them. Potter could be a reach but he’s a very productive player and the Swarm need to find production at avenues that other teams can’t.
30. Vancouver: Daryl Waud—Ranked at #28, Waud is a huge transition player that plays a strong defense and is also able to put up offensive production. Vancouver could use that physical force in their transition game.
31. New England: Tyler Fererria—Ranked at #31, Ferreria might be overlooked in this draft class. He’s tall and lanky and only going to grow into a powerful scorer. For a team who needs a lefty he’s good depth as he’s a goal scorer through and through.
32. Colorado: Matt Delmonico—Ranked at #30, the Port Moody native had 100 career points in Jr A. He would be a practice level player and forward depth for the Mammoth who are looking to improve on offense.
33. Toronto: Seth Laidlaw—A Junior B player, he might go overlooked. But Laidlaw is an elite player for his level and has connections with the Toronto Rock via the Halton Hills Bulldogs. Expected that they will take him at least somewhere.
34. New England: Adam Shute—Ranked at #21, Blane Harrison told me that he wants young goalies to battle for the practice squad spot so it would make sense if they take a goalie. Buque won’t fall this far but Shute, a goalie from the west coast, might be worth their while. He’s the second best ‘tender in the draft.
35. Edmonton: Brandon Goodwin—Ranked at #34, Goodwin was almost in last year’s draft but this year is finally getting his shot. He had 27 points in 15 games with the WLA Adanacs and has some high level experience.
36. Calgary: Jake Emms—Ranked at #23, this transition player is a favorite for a lot of general managers. Watch for him to even go earlier than this if a team wants to reach. Calgary seems like the best option though.
37. Rochester: Ian Martin—Ranked at #47, Martin had 246 career points in Jr B. He put up a 50 point season for the Jr A Six Nations Arrows in their run to the Minto Cup as well. Good fit with the Knighthawks.
