The Washington Stealth announced today that all seven players selected in the 2012 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft have agreed to one-year contracts for the 2013 season, pending league approval. The seven rookies will be among the 40 players invited to Stealth training camp in December.
The Stealth held three second round selections in last week’s draft, using the first of those to select defenseman Tyler Garrison. The 11th overall selection, Garrison appeared in 27 games for the Coquitlam Adanacs Junior ‘A’ lacrosse club last summer. At 6’2, 200 pounds, the athletic defender tallied 27 points (16g, 11a) as the captain of the Adanacs squad.
“Draft day was the most nerve-racking day of my life,†said Garrison. “When I got picked, there was so much relief and excitement. But that was the easy part, now I need to prepare myself for training camp and show the coaches what I can bring to the team on the floor.â€
Defenseman Bill Hostrawser was the 12th overall selection for the Stealth. Hostrawser, 20, won the 2012 Minto Cup as a member of the Orangeville Northmen Junior ‘A’ squad. The 5’11â€, 180 pound righty appeared in 20 games in 2012, tallying 10 assists. He appeared in 61 games over three seasons with Orangeville, accumulating 24 points (4g, 20a) and 223 penalty minutes. The Belwood, Ontario native is eager to head west and take the next step in his lacrosse career.
“Words can’t explain how happy and excited I am to be drafted and have the opportunity to play at the highest level,†said Hostrawser. “I’m going to come to camp and work as hard as I can, learn from the older guys and battle for a roster spot.â€
The Stealth’s other second round pick, Justin Pychel, is another big, athletic defenseman looking to make some noise in training camp. Pychel, the 19thoverall pick in the draft, played in 14 games for Six Nations last summer and was credited with four assists. The 6’1â€, 210-pound lefty played four seasons of Junior ‘A’ lacrosse, appearing in 72 games, including three seasons with the St. Catherine Athletics.
“I was definitely nervous on draft day, but when my name was called I was ecstatic,†said Pychel, who was in attendance at the draft in Toronto last week.“I’m fulfilling a lifelong dream with this opportunity, so I’m working hard to prepare for training camp.â€
Mitch Jones was the Stealth’s first third round selection, going 21st overall in the draft. Jones, referred to as “a steal at number 21†by Stealth Head Coach Chris Hall, was a potent scoring option for the 2012 Minto Cup Champion (Canadian Junior ‘A’ Lacrosse National Championship) Orangeville Northmen.The left-handed forward tallied 88 points in just 15 games, one year after recording 110 points (41g, 69a) in 21 games with the Brampton Excelsiors in 2011. Being picked up by the Stealth is an exciting prospect for the Delta, British Columbia native.
“I really wanted to be drafted by Washington and I’m excited to play there,†said Jones, who is attending Northern Michigan University on a hockey scholarship. “There’s a lot of talent in the locker room, I have a lot of respect for the coaching staff and its close to home so I can play in front of friends and family.â€
Defenseman Tim Henderson was another third round selection for the Stealth at number 23 overall. The 6’3â€, 220 pounder played his collegiate lacrosse at Army, where he was the 2012 Patriot League Defenseman of the Year and a team captain. Henderson was also a three-time All-Patriot League First-Team selection and earned All-American Honorable Mention honors in 2011. He also plays professional field lacrosse for the Long Island Lizards. The American field lacrosse star is eagerly anticipating to opportunity to take his game inside the box.
“My situation is different than the rest of the draftees because I’m in the Army,†said Henderson. “But I love playing lacrosse and look forward to the challenge of playing at the highest level of box lacrosse. I think my skills will translate to the NLL game with my physical style of play and athleticism.â€
In the fourth round, the Stealth selected left-handed transition player TJ Cowx with the 30th overall selection. Cowx plays his summer lacrosse with the Burnaby Lakers of the Western Lacrosse Association. In his rookie season, he appeared in 17 games and accumulated eight assists. He played three seasons of Junior ‘A’ lacrosse for the New Westminster Salmonbelles, where he notched 103 points (27g, 76) in 55 career games. Cowx also played four seasons at NCAA Division II Mars Hill College, where he tallied 59 points (41g, 18a) in his career.
“I’ve watched and been a fan of a lot of the Stealth players while I was playing Junior lacrosse growing up,†said Cowx, a native of Delta, British Columbia.“I’m excited to have the chance to share a locker room with a great group of guys and learn
Kyle Buchanan was selected with the 48th overall pick (sixth round) in the draft. Buchanan, a right-handed forward from Nepean, Ontario, played for the 2012 President’s Cup (Canadian National Senior ‘B’ Lacrosse Championship) St. Regis Braves last summer. In six tournament games, he tallied 13 points (8g, 5a). In 2011, the 5’8â€, 160 pounder had a breakout year with the Brooklin Redmen of Major Series Lacrosse. He tallied 60 points (25g, 35a) in 20 regular season games. Buchanan also played his collegiate lacrosse at Robert Morris University, where he was a four-year letter winner.
“It’s a dream come true to get a chance to play in the NLL,†said Buchanan, who also serves as an assistant coach at Wilmington College in Ohio. “I’ve been a fan of the league since I was ten years old. I’ve played with and against a number of guys on the Stealth, so I’m familiar with the team, I’m looking forward to coming into camp and working hard to show I belong here.â€
The Stealth will open training camp for the 2013 season in early December. 40 players will be invited to the camp, with the active roster being cut down to 23 prior to the start of the regular season.
