Week 6 of the NLL season was another light one, as there where just two games on the schedule. None the less, five rookies saw action this past weekend. Shane MacDonald saw his return to the Minnesota Swarm lineup, as the Swarm pulled off the upset of the defending champion Rochester Knighthawks. Connor Goodwin and Jerome Thompson continued their stellar starts to the season with the Bandits, and Miles Thompson continued his offensive assault on the NLL.
1. Miles Thompson (O) – Minnesota Swarm
After picking up three points in a 15-12 loss to the Buffalo Bandits on January 30th, Thompson again would rack up 3 points this past weekend. Thompson found the back of the net on one occasion and dished out 2 assists, helping the Minnesota Swarm defeat the Rochester Knighthawks by a score of 7-6. Thompson also scooped 5 loose balls in the win, and now sits with 20 points in 5 games, which places him 2nd in rookie scoring.
2. Jerome Thompson (O) – Buffalo Bandits
Jerome Thompson continues to show NLL GM’s they missed out on a potential gem, as he sat around unwanted for over a handful of seasons. This past week Thompson picked up 3 points on a goal and 2 assists, helping lead his Bandits passed the struggling Calgary Roughnecks by a score of 15-14. Thompson also picked up 2 loose balls in the win, and now has 12 points in 5 games this season, as he seems to have found a regular spot in the Bandits lineup.
3. Brandon Goodwin (T) – Buffalo Bandits
Goodwin has excelled for the Bandits in both ends of the floor as a rookie, which is not easy to do. He seems to have adapted to the speed of the game, and continues to look more and more comfortable as the season rolls on. This past week Goodwin picked up 1 assist in the Bandits 15-14 narrow edging of the Calgary Roughnecks.
4. Shane MacDonald (O) – Minnesota Swarm
MacDonald got back into the lineup, after missing just over a month of action. While MacDonald did not record any points in the Swarm’s 7-6 win over the Knighthawks, he did not look out of place. While Shayne Jackson, Logan Schuss and Dean Hill are the primary lefties for the Swarm, MacDonald continues show confidence in his ability and its only a matter of time until he breaks out. Look for him to have a big game in his home province this coming weekend.
5. Sam Bradman (O) – Minnesota Swarm
Like MacDonald, Bradman continues to look more and more comfortable within the Swarm offence and within the NLL itself. Bradman’s speed and elusiveness have allowed him to not look out of place within the offense. While it’s noticeable he comes from a field lacrosse background, he’s been an effective member of the Swarm offense. Bradman had no points in the win over Rochester this past week.
6. Ben McIntosh (O) – Edmonton Rush
McIntosh only sits in the 6th spot because he and his Edmonton Rush where off this past weekend. McIntosh is the leading rookie points leader, sitting with 21 points in his first 4 NLL games.
7. Eli McLaughlin (O) – Colorado Mammoth
McLaughlin also had the past weekend off but has excelled in a depth role with Mammoth thus far this season. In 4 games this season McLaughlin has recorded 6 goals and 6 assists for 12 points.
8. Robert Hope (D) – Colorado Mammoth
As I’ve said before if their was a defensive rookie of the year, Robert Hope would win it hands down. Watch a Mammoth game and I dare you to pick out the rookie in their defense core. The 6’2 defender from Peterborough, Ontario has picked up 2 assists, 20 loose balls and 8 created turnovers in his first 4 games in the NLL. Look for that to continue this week.
9. Conrad Chapman (D) – Vancouver Stealth
After being a healthy scratch in the Stealth’s first two games of the season, the 6’6, 230 pound Chapman doesn’t look like he’ll be coming out of the Vancouver lineup any time soon. Chapman has picked up a goal and an assist in his first 3 NLL games, and recorded 3 created turnovers and scooped 9 loose balls.
10. Sheldon Burns (D) – New England Black Wolves
I’ve been high on Burns all season and even prior to that, when he slipped to the Black Wolves in the draft, I said he was easily the steal of the 2014 Draft. While he might not be the flashy point producing rookie, or the towering physical defender, he is effective. Burns has potted a goal and 2 assists for 3 points through his first 4 NLL games. He has also scooped 7 loose balls and forced 2 turnovers. Burns team defense and transition ability have also been noticeable for the Black Wolves early on in the season.
