The Calgary Roughnecks are looking farther in the future and the player they drafted lived in their own backyard.
With the 54th overall pick the Roughnecks picked up hometown D-man Andrew Smistad from Marquette University. This player could be the Roughnecks’ diamond in the rough.
Andrew grew up in Calgary playing locally for the Calgary “Jr. A” Mountaineers playing in the 2008 Minto Cup with the team before heading off to Marquette for a strong university career in the games he was able to play. He missed considerable time two seasons in a row due to injuries but he seems to have recovered and is looking to crack an already skilled and big defence core. Having the likes of Tyson Roe coming in as another potential rookie taking a roster spot brings a lot more competition to camp this year, which is a problem I’m sure head coach Curt Malawsky will gladly deal with.
There isn’t a lot known about the young man other then he grew up playing box lacrosse before taking the opening a lot of Canadian players have lately to play field in the United States where he got more attention and worked on skills needed to compete in the pro ranks of the NLL. In his junior career Andrew was counted on to play big, heavy and important minutes for a Mountaineer’s team that dominated Alberta lacrosse and he continued his strong play at Marquette.
Coming into this year it could be the most highly contested training camp the ‘Necks have had. With a strong draft class with the likes of Smistad, Roe, Pat Henry and Cam Gardener all having their names called to come in and try to crack a roster filled with talent and speed, it’s not impossible but it would be hard to expect any of them to be walk ons with the team. The best thing these players can do is go out there and work hard and simply learn the pro game and tendencies.
