With the NLL season kicking off last weekend, it was our first chance to see the likes of first overall pick Ben McIntosh, the highly touted Miles Thompson, towering athletic defender Robert Hope and many other elite level rookies making their NLL debut. The likes of McIntosh, Thompson and Hope did not disappoint all having very solid opening games, while less heralded guys like Mark White, Caleb Wiles and Sheldon Burns all also preformed admirably for their respective clubs on opening weekend.
1. Miles Thompson – Minnesota Swarm
While the Swarm themselves saw an epic 4th collapse drop them to 0-1 on the season, Miles Thompson was arguably one of the best players on the floor for the Swarm. Thompson tied 3rd year offensive gun Shayne Jackson for the team lead in goals with three, while also picking up an assist to give him four points in his NLL debut. Thompson fired 11 shots on goal and picked up 6 loose balls in the loss, all the while looking very comfortable on the floor, showing the poise of a veteran NLL scorer. The Swarm next action is
Saturday, when they travel to Edmonton to take on the Rush.
2. Ben McIntosh – Edmonton Rush
The first overall pick in the 2014 NLL draft did not disappoint in his NLL debut, contributing 3 goals despite the tough 9-8 road loss to the Bandits. McIntosh fired 11 shots on goal, showing a confidence in his game that is uncommon for many rookies making their NLL debut. The 5’11, 200 pound righty out of Coquitlam, BC also scooped up 5 loose balls in the loss. Edmonton next is in action when they host the Minnesota Swarm on Saturday night.
3. Caleb Wiles – Vancouver Stealth
While Wiles is a rookie in the sense he was suiting up for his first NLL game, the 26 year old out of Orillia, Ontario came into his first NLL game with a ton of pro experience, having spent time toiling in both the MSL with the Brooklin Redmen and the Canadian Lacrosse League with the Barrie Blizzard. That experience showed on Saturday night as Wiles showed the poise of a veteran in picking up 2 goals & 1 assist for 3 points in the Stealth’s upset victory over the Calgary Roughnecks.
4. Robert Hope – Colorado Mammoth
Defensive rookies almost never get the credit they deserve when conversation arises about the leagues top first year players, however the 6’2 defender out of Peterborough, Ontario deserves a ton of credit after an excellent debut. Hope showed his fantastic athleticism and transition ability on Saturday night’s come from behind win over the Minnesota Swarm. While Hope did not pick up a point in the win, he picked up 6 loose balls and forced 2 turnovers, establishing himself as one of the Mammoth’s top defenders.
5. Quinn Powless – New England Black Wolves
The hulking right handed shot out of Ohsweken, Ontario showed well for the Black Wolves in his NLL debut, contributing 2 goals & 1 assist for 3 points in Black Wolves opening night victory. Powless picked up both assists on the power play and was able to scoop 3 loose balls in the victory. Playing behind the likes of Kevin Crowley, Kevin Buchanan, Kyle Buchanan and Pat Saunders, Powless showed he can contribute in a depth role.
6. Jerome Thompson – Buffalo Bandits
Thompson is another 26 year old rookie, originally selected by the Bandits way back in the 2011 NLL draft, Thompson was unable to crack the Bandits active roster until this season. On Saturday night, the day finally came when Thompson took to the floor in a Bandits jersey, and Thompson did not disappoint. The 5’11, lefty from Nedrow, New York picked up 2 assists and scooped 2 loose balls in the Bandits upset win over the Edmonton Rush.
7. Sheldon Burns – New England Black Wolves
After being surprisingly activated for the Black Wolves home opener, Burns did not look out of place in his first NLL action. The 6’1, 185 pound right from Whitby, Ontario picked up 4 loose balls and forced one turnover in the Black Wolves upset win over the Buffalo Bandits on opening night.
8. Eli McLaughlin – Colorado Mammoth
The fourth overall pick in the 2014 NLL draft did all he could to contribute to the Mammoth win on Saturday night, despite being buried behind all-stars John Grant Jr. & Adam Jones on the Mammoths left side of their offense. McLaughlin was able to pick up 2 assists and scoop 4 loose balls in the Mammoth’s opening night, come from behind win.
9. Mark White – Toronto Rock
The 25 year old rookie had a fairly impressive NLL debut for the Toronto Rock in their upset win over the Rochester Knighthawks. White’s, speed and transition ability was on display as he picked up 3 loose balls and 2 penalty minutes on Saturday night.
10. Brandon Goodwin – Buffalo Bandits
The Bandits first round draft pick, 9th overall in the 2014 NLL draft, appeared in both games for Buffalo this passed weekend, scooping one loose ball and forcing one turnover. Though his stats weren’t extraordinary, the 6’2, 212 pound transition player out of New Westminster, BC showed well at both ends of the floor for the Bandits.
