History of NLL First Overalls

Posted By on September 12, 2013

In just 4 days the 2013 National Lacrosse League Draft will take place, and we will see who will be the #1 overall pick.  Percentages leaning toward Logan Schuss, as the Minnesota Swarm again have four picks in round one.  Below are the # 1 overall picks since 1988.  Just looking at some of the names, these # 1 overall picks for the most part have improved their game each year, What will 2013 hold for last years #1 Mark Matthews.

# Overall

Team

Player

Club/College
1–2012 Edmonton Rush Mark Matthews University of Denver
1–2011 Philadelphia Wings Kevin Crowley Stony Brook University
1–2010 Rochester Knighthawks Cody Jamieson Syracuse University
1–2009 Rochester Knighthawks Sid Smith Six Nations Arrows/Syracuse University
1–2008 Boston Blazers Daryl Veltman Orangeville Northmen/Hobart College
1–2007 New York Titans Jordan Hall University of Delaware
1–2006 San Jose Stealth Ryan Benesch Kitchener-Waterloo Braves
1–2005 Portland LumberJax Brodie Merrill Orangeville Northmen/Georgetown University
1–2004 Buffalo Bandits Delby Powless Six Nations Arrows/Rutgers University
1–2003 Vancouver Ravens Mark Miyashita Canisius College
1–2002 Toronto Rock Patrick Merrill Orangeville Northmen/Mercyhurst College
1–2001 New York Saints Gavin Prout Loyola College
1–2000 Columbus Landsharks Tracey Kelusky University of Hartford
1–1999 Rochester Knighthawks John Grant, Jr. Peterborough Lakers/University of Delaware
1–1998 Rochester Knighthawks Casey Powell Syracuse University
1–1997 Baltimore Thunder Matt Shearer Loyola College
1–1996 New York Saints Tim Langton Towson State University
1–1995 New York Saints Brian Piccola Johns Hopkins University
1–1994 Rochester Knighthawks Cam Bomberry St. Catharines Athletics/Six Nations Arrows/Nazareth College
1–1993 Philadelphia Wings John Webster University of North Carolina
1–1992 Pittsburgh Bulls Jim Buczek University of North Carolina
1–1991 Buffalo Bandits Darris Kilgour St. Catharines Athletics/Nazareth College
1–1990 Detroit Turbos Gary Gait Esquimalt Legion Jr.A/Syracuse University
1–1989 Pittsburgh Bulls Brendan Kelly Johns Hopkins University
1–1988 New England Blazers David Desko Syracuse University

In recent years the 2nd, 3rd etc., picks in first round could of easily been #1, but here are some names and when they were drafted that may have you shaking your head. If we knew then what we know now…

 

2007 Philadelphia Wings draft Merrick Thomson #2  (retired-concussion) Calgary Drafts Dane Dobbie 4th

 

2005 Philadelphia Wings draft Sean Greenhalgh (3rd) Luke Wiles (4th), Chad Thompson (9th)   Greenhalgh played 2 yrs in Philadelphia, and Wiles and Thompson where traded after 8 games for Mike Regan,  other players drafted  Matt Vinc 6th and Jeff Shattler 10th

 

2003 Vancouver Ravens selected Mark Miyashita #1  others drafted after, Ryan  Ward 3rd, Scott Evans 5th, Scott Ranger 7th

 

This is funny now, in 2002 Billy Dee Smith drafted #3 overall by Buffalo, and Mark Steenhuis #7 by Columbus Landsharks

 

1992 Tom “Hollywood” Marachek was drafted #6 overall

 

1990 Paul Gait drafted  #6 overall.

 

The last few seasons the draft has been rich in talent.  This year is no different.

 

Logan Schuss and Jason Noble will go 1-2 to Minnesota, Robert Church possibly at 3 to Colorado and Edmonton getting Tor Reinholdt at 4.  The surprise for me is Dillon Ward dropping to #8 and the Stealth selecting him.  Dillon drops only because Minnesota has 2 young goaltenders.

 

Something else to think about, a few big names that weren’t drafted in round 1.

Dallas Eliuk,  Pat O’Toole,  John Tavares, Bob Watson

 

So will the possible drafting of Ward spell the end to Roik, or will they carry him for a season and get him some seasoning.  We shall find out Monday September 16 at 7pm