After a light Week 3, that saw just one game of action, the NLL get back into the swing of things during Week 4 of the season, with all nine teams in action. Week 4 saw a number of rookies have breakout games, with the likes of number 1 pick Ben McIntosh and number 3 pick Miles Thompson exploding for 7 and 6 points respectively. Defensive rookies, Robert Hope, Sheldon Burns and Colin Boucher all had impressive showings, while rookie goaltenders Alex Buque and Eric Penny also got in some mop time, and did not look out of place. After four weeks of NLL action, rookies Miles Thompson, Eli McLaughlin, Robert Hope and Ben McIntosh certainly seem to be the stand outs of the 2014 draft class, look for them to continue their impressive play as the season continues.
1. Ben McIntosh (O) – Edmonton Rush
After racking up six points in his first two NLL games, McIntosh exploded for 2 goals & 5 assists in this past weekends 16-8 thumping of the Calgary Roughnecks. McIntosh, who was this years first overall pick continues to show the dominance the Rush thought he would show when they selected him. With 13 points in his first three games, McIntosh currently sits second in team scoring behind only Mark Matthews. McIntosh will look to keep his impressive string of games going this weekend when the Rush host the New England Black Wolves.
2. Miles Thompson (O) – Minnesota Swarm
Miles Thompson is another rookie who continues to produce points at a potent pace. After back to back four point outings, Thompsons amped up the scoring this past weekend, potting 2 goals & 4 assists for 6 points in the Swarm’s 19-13 win over the previously undefeated New England Black Wolves. Thompson has come into the NLL with a confidence to his game not seen in most rookies, and with the exception of Ben McIntosh, Thompson has been one of the most influential rookies to his teams success.
3. Robert Hope (D) – Colorado Mammoth
It took Hope three games to finally get on the board offensively, as he picked up two helpers in the Mammoth’s 20-9 win over the Vancouver Stealth this week. However Hope is not counted on to produce offensively, despite his immense transition ability. Hope has been arguably one of the Mammoth’s top defenders through their first three games. He has been excellent in forcing turnovers, collecting loose balls and playing solid team defense. This past week on top of his 2 assists, Hope scooped 8 loose balls and forced two turnovers.
4. Eli McLaughlin (O) – Colorado Mammoth
McLaughlin continues to look more and more comfortable in his role with the Colorado Mammoth. He’s really thriving behind All-Stars John Grant Jr and Adam Jones. With 5 points in his first 2 games, McLaughlin again hit the score sheet this past weekend, picking up 2 goals & 1 assist for 3 points in the Mammoth’s thumping of the Vancouver Stealth. Evidence of McLaughlin’s growing confidence is the fact his shot count has gone up each game, from 5 in week 1 to 10 in week 4.
5. Sheldon Burns (D) – New England Black Wolves
Burns has been impressive since his NLL debut in Week 1. While he won’t wow you with offensive numbers or thunderous hits on the backend, he is steady as they come defensively. Burns possesses strong physical attributes, excellent speed and an ability to make good decisions with the ball in transition. Burns picked up his first NLL points this past weekend with 2 assists in the Black Wolves loss to loss to Minnesota. Burns also scooped 3 loose balls and forced 1 turnover in the loss.
6. Conrad Chapman (D) – Vancouver Stealth
After missing the Stealth’s first two games in 2014, Chapman has stepped into the lineup the past two weeks and been on the Stealth’s more effective defenders, contributing at both ends of the floor. Chapman was the 12th overall pick in the 2014 NLL draft, standing at 6’6 and weighing over 230 pounds, Chapman is an intimidating force on the back end. This past weekend Chapman picked up 1 assist, 4 loose balls and created 2 turn overs, as he was one of very few bright spots for the struggling Stealth.
7. Quinn Powless (O) – New England Black Wolves
After impressive showings in his first two NLL games, Powless struggled some in the Black Wolves loss to the Swarm. Powless lacked opportunity offensively this past week, which may have been why he was only able to pick up a single assist in the loss. Powless still was able to find smaller was to contribute however, as he scooped 3 loose balls.
8. Brandon Goodwin (T) – Buffalo Bandits
The 6’2, 212 pound transition player from New Westminster, BC continues to be a mainstay in the Bandits lineup, appearing in his fourth straight game. While Goodwin hasn’t found the offensive consistency he would like, he has been effective at the back end and through his transitional play. Goodwin did not reach the score sheet this past week, but was able to pick up three loose balls for the Bandits.
9. Sam Bradman (O) – Minnesota Swarm
Bradman was an offensive force in his time with the NCAA’s Salisbury Sea Gulls, scoring 71 goals in his Senior year. While that offensive production has yet to translate to the indoor game, Bradman continues to look more an more comfortable with the speed and physicality of the indoor game. This past week the righty from Canton, New York picked up his first NLL point, assisting on Jordan MacIntosh’s second quarter tally. Bradman also scooped 4 loose balls in the Swarm’s win over New England.
10. Eric Penny (G) – Vancouver Stealth
Penny didn’t get the start in Vancouver’s loss to the Colorado Mammoth, however he did look fairly sharp in his 18 minutes of mop up duty towards the end of the game. Penny made stops on 12 of 18 shots, against a Mammoth offense that was absolutely rolling. While it was an earth shattering performance, it was impressive at times. With starter Tyler Richards struggling, it wouldn’t surprise me see the Stealth give their young goalie a start in the near future.
