NLL Rookie Report Week 3: Bandits and Stealth Young Guns Lead Pack

Week 3 of the NLL season was a quite one, as just one game was on the schedule. The Buffalo Bandits, after having a bye week in week 2 of the NLL season, traveled to Vancouver to take on the Stealth. Vancouver was coming off a devastating 20-11 loss to the Toronto Rock, and bolstered their defense with the signing of Colin Boucher and the activation of hulking 6’3, 220 pound defender Tim Henderson, in midweek transactions. While just 4 Rookie saw floor time this past week, all where impactful in the lone NLL matchup. Conrad Chapman and Colin Boucher both made their NLL debuts on Saturday night. Both players took different routes to get to their inaugural NLL appearance, as Conrad Chapman was the Stealth’s first pick in the 2014 NLL draft, going in the 2nd round 12th overall. While Colin Boucher has fought tooth and nail to get to the NLL, spending time on Buffalo’s practice roster last season and three seasons in the Canadian Lacrosse League.

1. Jerome Thompson – Buffalo Bandits
The previous two weeks had a Thompson at the top of the rankings, this week is know different. With Miles Thompson’s Minnesota Swarm having the weekend off, Jerome Thompson stepped up and claimed top spot. Jerome recorded a goal and an assist in the Bandits narrow 14-13 win over Vancouver on Saturday night, giving him 4 points in his first two NLL appearances. Thompson also was able to scoop two loose balls and seems to be fitting right in with the Bandits this season.

2. Brandon Goodwin – Buffalo Bandits
Appearing in his 3rd NLL game, Brandon Goodwin finally got the monkey off his back on Saturday night, potting his first NLL goal in the 14-13 win over Vancouver. The 6’2, 212 pound transition player from New Westminster, BC has fit in well with the Bandits fast pace, transition style of play, excelling at both ends of the floor early on the season. Goodwin also scooped up a single loose ball on Saturday night, giving him a total of two on the season.

3. Conrad Chapman – Vancouver Stealth
The hulking 6’6, 230 pound defender from Prince George, BC made his NLL debut on Saturday night, as the Stealth looked for answers at the defensive end of the floor. While Chapman performed admirably on the backend, he also managed to find the back of the net, for his first NLL goal. Chapman was impactful in his debut and I expect to see him in the lineup moving forward as the Stealth look to work out the kinks defensively.

4. Colin Boucher – Vancouver Stealth
After spending the entire 2014 regular season on the Buffalo Bandits practice squad, Colin Boucher finally made his NLL debut on Saturday night. While he did not reach the score sheet, scoop any loose balls or force any turnovers, Boucher performed admirably as part of the Stealth’s defensive core. Boucher is one of the hardest hitting defenders in the league, as he’s shown throughout his summer seasons with the Six Nation Chiefs. Look for him to improve on a game by game bases as he adjusts to the speed of the NLL game.

5. Miles Thompson – Minnesota Swarm
With the Swarm not in action this past weekend, Miles Thompson sits 5th this week, simply because his team didn’t see action. Thompson currently sits 3rd in team scoring with 8 points in 2 games, while leading his team in goals through two weeks of action, with 6.

6. Ben McIntosh – Edmonton Rush
The first overall pick in the 2014 NLL draft has done everything the Edmonton Rush expected him to do when they made him their 1st overall pick in the past draft. Through 2 games thus far, McIntosh sits 3rd in Rush team scoring with 6 points in 2 games, and leads the team in goals with 5.

7. Quinn Powless – New England Black Wolves
Powless was also inactive in Week 3 of the NLL season, with his Black Wolves having the week off. In two appearances thus far, Powless has asserted himself well in New England’s offense, picking up a goal and 5 assists for 6 points.

8. Eli McLaughlin – Colorado Mammoth
The 2nd youngest player on an active NLL roster this season, as shown well in a depth role with the 2-0 Colorado Mammoth, picking up 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points in his first two NLL appearances.

9. Robert Hope – Colorado Mammoth
While Hope has yet to reach the score sheet through his first two NLL appearances, he has been one of the Mammoth’s best defenders early on, scooping up 10 loose balls in the process. Hope’s above average hands for a defender and transition ability have been on full display through two contests.

10. Sheldon Burns – New England Black Wolves
Burns made a somewhat surprising NLL debut in the Black Wolves season opener against the Bandits, he again suited up for New England in Week 2 of NLL action against the Rochester Knighthawks. While Burns has yet to reach the score sheet, he has picked up 4 loose balls and forced 1 turnover. On top of the statistical impact he’s had, Burns has fit well in the Black Wolves team defense. Look for him to continue to be a mainstay in the lineup moving forward.