Last night the Professional Lacrosse League held their dispersal draft to disperse the players of the Pennsylvania Shamrocks and Pennsylvania Haymakers onto the four teams that will be playing in the 2013 season. Three of the teams, Reading, New Jersey, and Charlotte, took advantage of the opportunity and added a few players to their arsenal.
The first five rounds had only the two newest teams, Reading and Jersey, making selections. With the first pick in the draft the Reading Rockets made Andrew Wasik the first ever member of the franchise. Wasik was a star at Pace University, scoring 247 goals and 114 assists in his four seasons there. He played in 9 games in the 2005 MLL season for the Philadelphia Barrage scoring 6 goals and 3 assists. Last Winter he spent time with the Boston Rockhoppers of the NALL. He was originally selected 20th overall by the Haymakers in the National Draft.
The first ever New Jersey Rascal was Josh Rachman, who also spent time with the Boston Rockhoppers last winter. The Florida State product was originally a member of the Haymakers, selected 21st overall. On his twitter, which you can follow here, he said, “pumped for the season to start. Time to hit the gym.”
The second round featured two players who both have MLL experience. Reading added another scorer in Mike Lazore. Lazore has played in nine games for the Rochester Rattlers this season, scoring one goal. He played his college ball at Hobart, where he played football as well.
One of the names that caught most fans eyes was Jeremy Sieverts, who has had an outstanding year for the Denver Outlaws. Sieverts is second on the team with 34 points (11 goals and 23 assists). This has been a break out season for him after playing in just three games over two years with the Bayhawks.
Brett Moyer is another interesting name who was drafted 6th overall by the Rascals. A defenseman, Moyer is one of the few players selected with NLL experience as well as MLL experience. He played in 10 games for the Philadelphia Wings in 2008, scoring 1 goal and 2 assists. He played in three MLL seasons, from 2006 to 2008 with the Barrage.
By the end of the draft Reading had selected Wasik, Lazore, Matt Toth, Justin Otto, Robert Starr, Evan Swiker, and Christian Daniello. The Rascals selected Rachman, Seiverts, Moyer, James Synowicz, Andrew Spack, Mike Simon, and Brandon Spillett.
The Charlotte Copperheads added two players to their roster, Donald Moss and Chris Hill. The Jacksonville Bullies chose to select none of the players, passing on all of their picks. The draft ended when every team passed in the eighth round.
Tonight at 7:00 the PLL hosts their first collegiate draft. You can listen live by calling into the number 218-632-0550 and typing the entry code 286764#. The league’s schedule will be announced this coming Wednesday while the Rascals are set to host their first press conference on Thursday to announce their coach.
