The Calgary Roughnecks were busy around the 2013 NLL draft, making several moves all intended to move them closer to their goal of winning their third Champion’s Cup.
Over the course of draft day, the Roughnecks moved one of their 2012 first-round picks, Joe Resetarits, and their second-round pick from last year, Jackson Decker, adding the 10th overall pick for this year’s draft, a couple picks in future drafts, and giving up the 15th overall pick.
With space created on the roster, Calgary selected lefty transition Tor Reinholdt with their first pick, the sixth pick overall, then followed up in the second round with transition Karsen Leung.
Reinholdt, a graduate of the Limestone College lacrosse program, played this past summer with the Langley Thunder alongside Roughneck Dane Dobbie and spent time previously with the Coquitlam Adanacs being coached by current Roughnecks head coach Curt Malawsky, so he is well known to the Calgary franchise.
Leung is also familiar to the Roughnecks family, having just completed a summer tour with the Victoria Shamrocks. Along with seven current Riggers, Leung went to the Mann Cup with the Shamrocks where he contributed a point per game.
Calgary followed up in the third round by adding defender Garrett McIntosh who last played with the Maple Ridge Burrards. McIntosh also has ties to Reinholdt and Malawsky, making him a good fit while his 6’4″ 235 lb frame should provide an imposing presence for the Roughnecks.
Goaltender Peter Dubenski was selected in the fourth round while Calgary-born transition Jake Hayes was chosen in the fifth. In the final round, Calgary took Brendan Ranford, the son of former NHL goalie Bill Ranford. He is currently trying to make the Dallas Stars but might consider a lacrosse career if his hockey aspirations come up short.
With the announcement this week that transition Nolan Heavenor has decided to retire after eight years in the NLL, there is a spot open on transition for a dynamic workhorse in the Roughnecks’ scheme. Both Reinholdt and Leung have the athleticism required to fit the role; now they have to prove they have the focus and determination.
