The Major Series Draft is in the books again for another year, with 29 players being selected from various Junior A and B clubs. While many teams added a ton of talent, powerhouses like Six Nations and Brooklin made few selections, and while having limited picks in other sports drafts may be a down fall, teams like Six Nations and Brooklin simply don’t need many picks, as their rosters are next to set for the upcoming season already. The same can be said for the Peterborough Lakers, although with their All-Star roster continuing to age, they added some talented youth to the organization, that will push for roster spots in 2015. Oakville took a unique route that we’ve started see happen more and more. The Rock selected two elite level offensive players from the BC Jr. A League, and while they may never play in Ontario, the risk is worth the reward. KW and Brampton had the most picks in the draft, and spent them wisely. Brampton was able to retain players they had to leave unprotected prior to the draft, while KW filled some needs offensively and picked up arguably the best defender in the draft.
Brampton Excelsiors
The Brampton Excelsiors had a very successful draft in terms of the talent they’ve added and the holes they’ve likely filled throughout the roster. Last season, despite finishing last in the league, the Excelsiors had arguably the top defense in the league, one that could rival the likes of Six Nations and Brooklin. With Anthony Cosmo and Ty Belanger tending goal for the Excelsiors they where also set at that position, so what did Brampton do, they went out and upgraded their offense and transition game. Matt Bennett and Tyler Ferreira will both contribute immediately to the transition game as both where selected by the Buffalo Bandits in the most recent NLL draft. Bennett who is currently listed on the Bandits active roster, but is yet to see a game is likely to be the most successful of the players selected in his rookie MSL season. Left shooting Mike MacDonald was a potent point producer throughout his Junior career, and despite not playing last season should in all likelihood come in a provide depth scoring on the left side behind Kevin Ross, Shane MacDonald and Pat Saunders. Despite being set in goal with Anthony Cosmo and Ty Belanger, the Excelsior selected Eric Penny in the 3rd round. Penny is currently the backup with the Vancouver Stealth, and should provide excellent depth for the Excelsiors moving forward. With questions concerning Cosmo’s availability for the full 2015 MSL season as well as Belanger’s extensive travel to attend Excelsiors games, Brampton was wise to select a goalie of Penny’s calibre in the draft. Let us not forget about defensive player Joel Shepley whom the Excelsiors selected in the 4th round, with the 19th pick. Shepley split his time between Wallaceburg Jr. B and the Six Nations Arrows, where he was an integral part of their defensive unit. While he may have trouble finding consistent minutes on the Excelsiors stacked backend, he will be a viable option and should make a smooth transition to the MSL game.
Brooklin Redmen
The Brooklin Redmen made just three selections in the MSL draft, picking up TJ Sanders & Kyle Whitlow from the Barrie Lakeshores and Colton Watkinson from the Oakville Buzz Junior B program. With the Redmen stacked offensively and returning a stout defense and two strong goaltenders, there wasn’t much area of need for Brooklin, who have built there successful squad through the draft over the past 5 season. Brooklin did however add two more offensive weapons in TJ Sanders and Kyle Whitlow. Sanders is a 6’0, 180 lefty from Orillia, Ontario who is coming off a career season with the Barrie Lakershores, where he potted 41 goals and 32 assists for 72 points. Sanders has always had a nose for the net, as he found twine 85 times in his 3 year junior A career. Whitlow on the other hand is a 5’10, 165 pound righty, also from Orillia, Ontario. Whitlow spent four of his five Junior seasons with the Barrie Lakeshores, where he accumulated 114 goals & 136 assists for 250 points in 77 games. The 2013 season was Whitlow’s most potent offense season of his career, recording 34 goals & 49 assists for 83 points. Watkinson, is a 6’4 transition player who spent four years with the Oakville Buzz Junior B squad. Watkinson shows high upside, and has the potential to become something for the Redmen. In just 9 regular season games this past season Watkinson racked up 7 goals & 20 assists for 27 points. To be fair all three of the Redmen picks and even protected player Tyler Gilligan will be in tough to crack the Redmen lineup, but you can never have enough depth.
K-W Kodiaks
K-W is coming off one of their most successful seasons since joining the Major Series loop, finishing with a 10-8 record, which tied them with the Peterborough Lakers for second overall. While the Kodiaks where impressive last season, they lacked offensive depth behind NLL Star Ryan Benesch. Corey Fowler finished 2nd in team scoring despite being an AP and playing the majority of his season with the St. Catharines Saints Sr. B club. Jamie Rooney who finished third on team scoring racked up just 29 points, which is 25 points behind Benesch. With that little offense, you can see why drafting some offensive weapons would be ideal for the Kodiaks. An while they did use their first pick of the draft on defender Derek Searle, the Kodiaks did offensive weapons, Jordan Dance, Jordan Robertson and Seth Laidlaw. While Dance, Robertson and Laidlaw are all skilled offensive players, none possess the game breaking talent the Kodiaks desperately need. Dane, Robertson and Laidlaw are similar to what they have, in the sense that yes, they will contribute, but it won’t be anything to write home about. Dance brings a high level lacrosse IQ to the Kodiaks, understands how to beat defenses, work the pick and roll and get guys open. He’s the lacrosse version of a grinder in hockey. Robertson is an undersized scoring threat, that was an offensive leader with the Toronto Beaches through his career, and excelled with the Whitby Warriors after a late season trade. He impressed in Toronto Rock camp, so you know he has the capability to shine with the big boys, despite his lack of size. The addition of Derek Searle will only improve an already sturdy defensive unit. Searle was arguably the top defender available in the draft, plays with a nasty physical element to his game, which is something the Kodiaks could definitely use. Connor Campbell was also added to the Kodiaks roster with the 9th pick of the draft. Campbell was also the New England Black Wolves 28th overall pick in the most recent NLL draft. He’s a player that won’t stand out to the average lacrosse fan, but he makes smart decisions in the defensive end and fits in well as a role player in a team defense. Jayson Crawford is an athletic transition player, who spent four years with the Halton Hills Bull Dogs before exceling with the Brampton Excelsiors last season. Crawford was a fourth round pick of the New England Black Wolves in the most recent draft and 45 points in 19 games with the Excelsiors last season. He brings an athleticism, tenaciousness and skill to the floor for the Kodiaks. While the Kodiaks are set in goal with Dillon Ward and Steve Fryer, the addition of Rance Vigneux gives the Kodiaks a viable third option in goal and it may be needed with Ward recently signing on with the Denver Outlaws of the MLL. Vigneux was a late cut of the Buffalo Bandits and shows strong upside.
Oakville Rock
The Rock did not have a first round selection in the 2015 MSL draft, and with their first pick, which came in the 2nd round they selected a player who may never even play for a team in the province of Ontario, in Coquitlam Adanacs Junior Star Wesley Berg. Now there is no denying Berg’s immense talent, he may very likely go number 1 in the 2015 NLL draft. But with that being said, we don’t often see players from BC come over to Ontario anymore, especially not in their rookie seasons. Berg hasn’t played a full summer season since 2011 season, where he led the BC Jr. A Lacrosse League in scoring with 60 goals & 54 assists for 114 points in 20 games. The Rock also added current Colorado Mammoth rookie offensive stud Eli McLaughlin through the MSL draft. McLaughlin is also not likely to join the Rock in 2015, however of the two Western players selected, he is the more likely of the two to join the Rock at some point in the coming years. McLaughlin recorded 81 points on 47 goals & 31 assists in 18 games split between the Delta Islanders and Coquitlam Adanacs last season. The players the Rock did select from Ontario also where somewhat unique picks, as the Rock picked up two players from the Minto Cup winning Six Nations Arrows in defenders Brier Jonathan and Stu Martin. Jonathan was recently added to the Rochester Knighthawks practice roster and plays a tenacious, high tempo style of defense. Martin is an undersized defender, standing just 5’10 and weight under 160 pounds. However he bring a winning mentality to a club who looks make the playoffs for the first time in their existence in 2015, as he’s won both a Minto and Founders cup during his junior career. Finally Zach Bell, Bell is a physical, intimidating, rugged defenseman, that shows athleticism and speed. Bell is also an elite level hockey player, having suited up with the Brampton Battalion and London Knights during his OHL career. Bell may decide to continue perusing his hockey career, however if he does suite up for the Rock he will bring some added toughness to the backend.
Peterborough Lakers
After being ousted by the Brooklin Redmen in the 2013 Semi-Finals, the Peterborough Lakers where back in the MSL finals in 2014, although they ultimately fell to the eventually Mann Cup Champion Six Nations Chiefs. The Lakers are a veteran squad, who continue to age and are a club that generally didn’t put much stock into draft picks, as they would often trade almost all their picks each year in efforts to acquire top notch talent from opposing clubs. This year the Lakers took a different approach to the draft, actually trading for more picks, so they could acquire Tyler Albrecht and Wenster Green early in the draft. The Lakers went on to continue address their aging backend, selecting Pat McCrory and Alex Brennan later on in the draft. Peterborough also addressed their depth in goal, selecting Don Alton from the Six Nations Arrows program. Alton had a cup of coffee with the Philadelphia Wings of the NLL in 2014 and was stellar for the Arrows throughout the regular season, playoffs and Minto Cup. Albrecht will come in an help the right side of the Lakers offense that will take a hit with Tracey Kelusky retiring and Scott Evans nearing the end of his career. Wenster Green has spent time on the Rochester Knighthawks practice roster and was in camp with the Vancouver Stealth this past year. He brings solid defensive play and excellent transition ability and speed to the Lakers back end. A player who knows what to do with the ball once he gets it up the floor and is never shy to take the ball to the goal and finish. Brennan is a hulking defensive player that shows strong upside, and overall ability. While the Durham native may end up spending the Majority of the season playing Senior B lacrosse with his local Brooklin Merchants, Brennan has strong physical attributes, excellent skills and its just a mater of time until he rounds it all into one and become a highly sought after pro prospect. Pat McCrory, while slightly undersized has an excellent lacrosse IQ, excels in the transition game, showing speed, excellent decision making and an ability to scoop loose balls.
Six Nations Chiefs
The Arrows had just three picks in the 2015 MSL draft, and selected just two players, passing on there 5th round selection. The Arrows added Paxton Leroux, who is a physical, intimidating defender who spent his junior career with the Peterborough Lakers. Leroux is another player selected in the draft who also excelled as a hockey player, spending time with the London Knights and Kitchener Rangers, and was even invited to New York Rangers rookie camp. Leroux may never play lacrosse at the MSL level due to his hockey career, however if he does, he’ll have a hard time crack the Chiefs championship winning defense core. Leroux was a draft pick of the Minnesota Swarm in the 2014 NLL draft. Anthony Patterson was a member of the Six Nations Arrows Minto Cup winning squad, and was recently selected in the 5th round of the 2014 NLL draft by the Rochester Knighthawks. Patterson has an outside shot at contributing throughout the season with the Chiefs, although its more likely he spends the majority of his season with the Six Nations Rivermen Senior B squad.
Notable Players Not Selected
Brendan Anger (O) – Windsor Clippers –57 goals and 54 assists for 111 points with the Clippers in 19 games last season, after 70 point campaigns in 2012/2013. A 5’11, 200 pound left shooting offensive player. An 11th round pick of the Southwest Cyclops in the 2014-2015 CLAX Draft.
Dan Charlton (O) – Sarnia Pacers/Wallaceburg Red Devils – 168 goals & 175 assists in 104 Junior B games. 5’11, 175 pound offensive weapon, likely to spend time with the Wallaceburg Senior B club in 2015
Michael Fournier (G) – Orangeville Northmen – 21-11 record in 33 career OLA Junior A starts. Career 8.91 Goals Against Average at the Junior A level, 0.728 career Save Percentage. 2012 Minto Cup Champion as a backup to Dillon Ward, 2-5 playoff record. 5’10, 190 pounds.
Kyle Isaacs (T) – Six Nations Rebels – 119 points in 47 career Junior B games, 121 points in 69 career Junior A games. 65 points in 29 career CLAX games. Creators Cup Champion with the Ohsweken Demons in 2012, Member of the 2013 & 2014 Founders Cup winning Six Nations Rebels. Most Valuable defensive player in the OLA Junior B western conference in 2014
Chase Martin (G) – Six Nations Rebels – 39-2 record in 41 career Junior B starts, undefeated in 2013 & 2014 Regular Seasons, undefeated through 2013 playoffs, one loss in 2014 playoffs. 6’1, 210 pounds, 61 career assists through 3 regular season and playoffs with the Six Nations Rebels. Three time Goaltender of the Year in the OLA Junior B loop, Three Time Founders Cup Champion
Ian Martin (O) – Six Nations Arrows – Rochester Knighthawks draft pick in 2014 NLL Draft, 245 points in 52 career regular season Junior B games. 56 points last season with the Six Nations Arrows in 21 games. 2011,2012,2013 Founders Cup Champion, 2014 Minto Cup Champion. 24 points in 11 career CLAX games.
Ky Tarbell (O) – Six Nations Arrows – Did not play in 2014 regular season, but recorded 282 points in 59 career Junior B regular season games, and another 113 points in 34 playoff games. 2014 Minto Cup Champion with Six Nations
