The Denver Outlaws were busy during the 2013 MLL Draft, trading players to get better picks. The biggest trade of the night for Denver was when they sent Mark Matthews to New York for Will Mangan and a draft pick. This was probably the biggest shock trade of the night, as Matthews helped the Outlaws overcome a Lizards 10 goal lead to come back and win in last year’s MLL Championship weekend semi final game. What’s done is done though and it will be interesting to see how the young talented attack unit in New York, with Matthews, Pannell and Gibson, will fair.
On to Denver’s first round pick, number seven overall, Brian Megill, a defender out of Syracuse. In the March meeting between Syracuse and Virginia, Megill held Steele Stanwick to just one goal in the loss. He is a quick defender, a little slow in transition, but plays good team defense. He will need to learn a lot from Lee Zink if he wants to make it in the MLL. Shutting down Stanwick in one game is good and all, but in the MLL, everyone is a Stanwick + some.
Denver traded their second round pick to Ohio, which was eventually traded to Chesapeake and finally Hamilton.
The Outlaws acquired two picks in the third. First, they picked up a trade from Charlotte at the number 19 overall spot and selected Davis Butts, a midfielder from 2012 NCAA Champion Loyola. Butts was number four in points for the Greyhounds in 2012, finishing up with 36 (21G, 15A) total points. He was on the wing during the faceoff’s last season and will continue to be there because of his strong ground ball capabilities, something Denver will love when he joins the team. Davis will have to step up this season and become more of a goal scorer with Lusby and others out of the picture.
Coming in second, number 23 overall, during Denver’s third round pick was Maryland midfielder Landon Carr. Finished tenth in points last season for the Terps, recording 6 goals and 2 assists. Known more for his defensive play, Carr was on Maryland’s man down unit and was used on the wing, two positions he may continue to play in the MLL.
Another two pick round for the Outlaws, they chose Pioneer attackman Eric Law as the number 29 overall pick. This is part of the trade that sent his former teammate, Mark Matthews, to the Lizards. Law is a hustler during the ride and has good vision on the field. He’s little, but don’t let his size fool you. Standing at 5’10”, which is only an inch shorter than MLL star attackman Ryan Boyle, and we’ve seen what he can do to defenses. Eric will continue to build on his 38 points (26G, 12A) from 2012 and become a more important key player overall for the Pioneers with Matthews now graduated.
Roger Ferguson comes to Denver as the 31st overall pick in the fourth round. An LSM from Brown who was ninth on the points list last season for the Bears with 6 points (1G, 5A). Ferguson is very quick in transition and will generate offense given the opportunity. He possesses decent field awareness off ball but will have to work on his team defense and not ball watching in the upcoming season.
With their third and final double round pick, Denver scooped up Drexel midfielder and 2013 captain Aaron Prosser at the number 36 spot. The third midfielder drafted by Denver this draft, Prosser finished 2012 with 24 goals and 6 assists for the Dragons, fourth on the team in points and was selected to the Second Team All-CAA. The Oregon product can shoot on the run, play the crease role and has a quick one step dodge and go move. He will need to hone his skills and will be fighting to see field time in Denver.
Number 39 overall in the 2013 MLL Collegiate draft went to Lehigh attackman Dante Fantoni in the fifth round. He was number two on the points list for Lehigh at the end of last season, behind David DiMaria, with 43 points (23G, 20A). Dante was named the 2012 Patriot League Tournament MVP. Not the biggest guy on the field, 5’11”, but likes to get close to his defender when dodging from X and use his legs to push his way to the net. He has good up field vision, however he will have to work on his dodging and speed before getting to Sports Authority Field.
Sixth round pick sent to New York, part of Matthews/Mangan trade. Sam Snow went to Denver in the seventh round at the 55th overall spot. The Fairfield midfielder was number one on the team in points with 42. He works well under pressure as shown in his performance in their game vs. the Pioneers last scoring, scoring both the tying and game winning goals. At 6’3”, he’s one of the larger offensive players the Outlaws picked up which can help to his advantage. Snow will have to focus on his speed, dodging and footwork heading into the season.
Last, but not least, with their final pick of the 2013 MLL Collegiate Draft, the Denver Outlaws select Dillon Ayers, defender from St. John’s. The 63rd overall pick is smaller than Law and Fantoni, only reaching 5’9”. What he lacks in height he makes up for in team defense. He knows his role and plays it well. Until, (pause for dramatic effect), he lets his frustration get the best of him. Key concepts for Ayers to work on are his frustration and communication. Turning his frustration from a negative to a positive will help him tremendously, though it’s not always a bad thing to play aggressively.
Denver filled some voids at the midfield spots, as they needed to go a tad younger in the position. We saw that they were gassed against Chesapeake in the MLL Championship game, granted they played their hearts out in the previous game and anyone would be tired after that come back. Overall though, Denver could have done better with their picks. Should have picked up someone to replace Poillon and not traded away Matthews. These guys are going to have to make a big impact their senior year if they want to catch a possible roster spot for the Outlaws.
Denver Outlaws 2013 MLL Draft picks:
Round 1 – #7 overall – Brian Megill – Defense – Syracuse
Round 2 – Trades second pick (#15 overall) to Ohio
Round 3 – Picked up trade from Charlotte, #19 overall – Davis Butts – Midfield – Loyola
Round 3 – #23 overall – Landon Carr – Midfield – Maryland
Round 4 – Picked up trade from New York (Matthews for Mangan and later 6th round pick), #29 overall – Eric Law – Attack – Denver
Round 4 – #31 overall – Roger Ferguson – Defense – Brown
Round 5 – Picked up trade from Boston (from Rochester) #36 overall – Aaron Prosser – Midfield – Drexel
Round 5 – #39 overall – Dante Fantoni – Attack – Lehigh
Round 6 – Trades pick to New York
Round 7 – #55 overall – Sam Snow – Midfield – Fairfield
Round 8 – #63 overall – Dillon Ayers – Defense – St. John’s
