The National Lacrosse League 2012 Entry Draft is tonight in Toronto, Ontario. Who is going where in rounds one through three? Nobody really knows, but we have some good guesses for you.
1. Edmonton Rush- Mark Matthews F Denver Outlaws/Whitby Warriors/University of Denver
Rush GM Derek Keenan has already said that they will select Mark Matthews with their top pick in the draft. A no brainer, Matthews has dominated at every level he has ever played in. Matthews helped lead the University of Denver to a final four where he scored 216 career points. Matthews was also on the Outlaws team that went to the MLL Championship and lost to Chesapeake this season. Matthews also played thirteen games with the Warriors, where he scored 73 points. He also played with the Jr Coquitlam Adanacs, where he won the Minto Cup in 2010.
2. Minnesota Swarm- Brock Sorensen D Ohio State/Peterborough Lakers
Already with great experience in box lacrosse, the Swarm have been targeting Sorensen for a very long time. The elite defender tore his ACL playing with the Ohio State Buckeyes in NCAA. At 6’6 and 220 pounds, Sorensen is still very fast for a defender and really clogs any shooting lanes from the opposing offense. He has recovered well from his ACL injury, but the only concerns with him would have to do with how he cuts because of that.
3. Minnesota- Kiel Matisz F Brooklin Redmen/ Robert Morris
At 6’5, Matisz is yet another huge player in this draft. He scored 108 points in his Jr A season with the Burlington Chiefs in 2010, and he picked up 76 with the Redmen of Major Series Lacrosse. A right handed shooter, Minnesota could use a boost there so this pick looks like an easy stud for them.
4. Minnesota- Shayne Jackson F Whitby Warriors/Langley Thunder
Jackson was a part of the Langley Thunder squad to win the WLA this season, and he scored 84 points when Whitby won the Minto Cup in 2011. He has a very, very strong shot and looks like he could be a star in this league.
5. Buffalo Bandits- Dhane Smith F Kitchener-Waterloo Kodiaks
If anyone has risen the most in draft stock, it has been Dhane Smith of the Kodiaks. He scored 69 assists in his last junior season before being called up to the big squad. Just a young player, Smith has become a good player when it comes to lacrosse IQ in real time and of course has incredible talent. Other than Matthews, he could turn into the best player in the draft.
6. Calgary Roughnecks- Carter Bender F Hartford/Rochester Rattlers/Brampton Excelsiors
Bender gets around defenders really well and more than anything can create space for the big scorers. There is no doubt he can put the ball in the net too, but his real value comes from making room for the big guns, which Calgary certainly has.
7. Calgary- Matt Dinsdale F Coquitlam Jr Adanacs
Dinsdale is a player that Calgary has always liked, and he is based on the west coast, which they love. He has great floor presence and awareness and works for every inch he gets. He will push the rest of the roster hard and he can play transition as well.
8. Edmonton- Colton Clark F Burnaby Lakers
Clark has experience playing at a high level of lacrosse. He’s scored 96 points in two seasons of WLA action, making him one of the most experienced players in the draft. Like Bender, he is big and will be able to set up a lot of goals for the Rush.
9. Colorado Mammoth- Chris Attwood F Whitby Warriors/Ohsweken Demons
Maybe a bit early for Attwood, but his stock has risen after an MVP season with the Demons and he helped lead them to the first ever CLax title. Full of amazing talent, he has an amazing shot that will whiz by defenses. A very undervalued player who will go higher than we all expect.
10- Minnesota- Curtis Knight F Whitby Warriors
Minnesota has already picked up a stud defender and two good scorers. Why not add another? Knight is smaller but has good touch on his shot and can certainly dish out the ball too. Overall a good points grabber, Knight has the heart that the young Swarm team likes.
Second Round
11. Washington Stealth- Cody Hawkins D Delta Islanders
Hawkins isn’t the best defender in the draft, he he is rock solid and no team would ever complain about having him on their side. He was voted the best junior defender in British Columbia this summer, and the Stealth could use to add another defender to their roster, not to mention he’s a good fit as a BC guy.
12. Washington- Joe Resetarits F Brampton Excelsiors
Resetarits had the talent to be a first round pick, but his stock has seemed to drop a lot after I spoke with some GMs and team personnel around the league. He is an American player, from New York state. He is a very smart player who can score, so if he drops this far, the Stealth would love him.
13. Buffalo- Mike Lum-Walker D Whitby Warriors
Buffalo is happy to add another strong defender after they lost Chris White to Toronto. He is physical and does a great job at frustrating offenses, and the east is full of strong offense.
14. Toronto Rock- Robert Koger D Georgetown/Pickering Rock
Toronto did add White to their historically good defense, but they also lost Bruce Codd and Phil Sanderson and Sandy Chapman are just getting older. Koger is Ontario based and he’s BIG at 6’5 and 220 pounds. He’s been in MSL for two years, been to a Minto Cup and has played in a strong NCAA program in Georgetown.
15. Edmonton- Joel Matthews F Detroit/Six Nations Arrows/ St. Catharines Athletics
Matthews might be overlooked a little bit, having played NCAA at Detroit Mercy and his Jr A in Six Nations and St. Catharines. He scored 204 points in two Junior seasons before injuries started to take over, and he began to struggle with the Arrows, maybe making him drop down a bit. But any scout who watches him play will tell you, he can be an elite NLL scorer.
16. Buffalo- Robbie Campbell T Stony Brook/Coquitlam Adanacs
Campbell is big and strong, and he can create space for anyone at the pro level. He could join a Buffalo offense that looks to rebound from a tough 2012 by creating that room they need to capitalize on chances.
17 Calgary- Michael Cudmore D Brooklin Redmen
Cudmore has played in a strong defensive unit with Brooklin, but he still is a big reason behind that defensive success. He might be a little bit inconsistent at times, but when he is on, Cudmore is a strong defender.
18. Buffalo- Hayden Smith D Orangeville Northmen
Smith can put the ball in the net for a defender, but at the NLL level his value will come from stopping the other team from putting it through the net. Smith is smart and physical, not afraid to drop the gloves, and he can add even more defense to the Bandits.
19. Washington- Mitchell Jones F Orangeville Northmen/Brampton Excelsiors
Jones can bury outside shots like no other and will help that shot-happy Washington offense put even more in the net. He would get along well on that left side of their offense to go along with Lewis Ratcliff where they could use that lefty shooter.
20. Toronto- Billy Hostrawser D Orangeville Northmen
Another strong defender out of Orangeville, the Rock would like to have him to bring along with the rest of their defenders. He is very aggressive, maybe too aggressive at times, and he might be seen as kind of a project.
Third Round
21. Washington- Kevin Brownell F Brooklin Redmen
Brownell had back to back seasons with 70 points or more, proving his offensive worth and making him a possible third round steal for Washington. Brownell sat this season out, also causing his stock to drop.
22. Buffalo- Jordan Critch T Orangeville
Critch has seen success, playing on three Minto Cup teams. He is a good shooter who can hit the net despite the incredible speed of it, and can also play defense on the other side of transition.
23. Washington- Davide Diruscio G Coquitlam Adanacs/Burlington Chiefs
The pick for the Stealth is at goaltender, a position they would like to develop. iruscio is around 300 pounds and 6’4, so he takes up a lot of space in that net. He is athletic for his size and is probably the best goalie in the draft. He still needs time to develop, however.
24. Minnesota- Austin Powell D Bellarmine/Victoria Shamrocks
An American defender, Powell is the odd lacrosse player out of California. He caused fifteen turnovers with Bellarmine this past season, and he has the ability to take faceoffs if need be.
25. Toronto- Mike Teeter F Orangeville Northmen/Victoria Shamrocks
Teeter is a very fast and skilled left handed shot out of Orangeville. He is a terrific passer and also has ability to make space in front of the net and see the play before it happens.
26. Rochester Knighthawks- Kyle Buchanan F Brooklin Redmen
The Knighthawks get their first pick in the third round, and they like Kyle Buchanan. He has played in MSL for three seasons and is a bit older and more developed at 25. Though a rookie, he can be a veteran presence for the Hawks.
27. Toronto- Alex Crepisnek  D Ajax Rock
Is Crepisnek falls this far, the Rock will be very happy people. They look like they are going to stack their already good defense, and Crepisnek is as good as any other defender in the draft.
28. Edmonton- Tom Netwon D Simon Fraser/New Westminster Salmonbellies
A strong defender, Newton won’t score a lot but he can sure stop the ball. West coast based, he seems like a good fit for Edmonton.
29. Rochester-Â Simon Giourmetakis F Maple Ridge Burrards/Cansius/Coquitlam Adanacs
Based out of Edmonton, Giourmetakis has played lacrosse in the east, west and everywhere inbetween. He is a very good passer and an in demand left handed shooter.
