With the 2015 National Lacrosse League season rapidly approaching us, its time for us take a look at a few players who may very well Breakout this season. Last season we saw a number of players breakout, most notably Edmonton Rush offensive player Curtis Knight, Toronto Rock righty Rob Hellyer, Bandits defender Steve Priolo and Edmonton Rush goalie Aaron Bold. All the aforementioned players nearly doubled their previous career highs, or in Hellyer’s case shattered their previous career highs. Hellyer outstandingly went from an 11 point 2013 season, to a 79 point 2014 season. The 2015 season offers a few players that could easily have the same type of breakout season these previously mentioned players did.
Matthew Dinsdale – Calgary Roughnecks
With Scott Ranger leaving the Roughnecks in the offseason, Dinsdale will play a primarily offensive role with the Roughnecks in 2015, after playing largely in a transition role in 2014. The righty from New Westminster, BC has always been a potent offensive threat throughout his junior and brief WLA career, so it should come as know surprise for people familiar with Dinsdale, that he absolutely lit up the score sheet during the Calgary Roughnecks pre season games. If the pre season is any indication of what we are to expect from Dinsdale in 2015, an increase in point totals similar to what we saw with Curtis Knight last season, should not be out of the question. While Dinsdale likely won’t be afforded as much power play time as Knight received, with the likes of Curtis Dickson and Shawn Evans being mainstays on the right side of the Roughnecks power play, the added time in the offensive zone will help him break out in 2015.
Zack Higgins – Minnesota Swarm
While the Swarm traded Tyler Carlson to the Edmonton Rush in exchange for the massive Brodie MacDonald, Zack Higgins may very well start and finish the season as the Minnesota Swarm’s starting goalie. Higgins has a winning pedigree, having led his Clarington Green Gaels to a Founders Cup appearance in 2009 while playing Jr. B lacrosse, Winning a Minto Cup with the Whitby Warriors in 2011 and being part of the Brooklin Redmen’s resurgence the past two seasons. In my opinion Zack Higgins is one of the most underrated goaltenders in the league, when he’s on he’s pretty near unbeatable, and when he’s off, he’s still pretty good. Higgins also can play an integral role in the transition offense, as he is able to coral his rebounds very well and move the ball up the floor to transition and offensive players. Higgins went 2-7 last year with a 12.20 goals against average in 9 starts. While the Swarm may struggle to win games again this season, don’t except Zack Higgins to be the reason, as he is primed to breakout in 2015.
Brett Hickey – Toronto Rock
The 6’2, 210 pound, right handed offensive threat out of Windsor, Ontario is coming off his 2nd consecutive WLA season where he has produced at over a 3 point per game pace. Hickey looks primed to see that success translate to the NLL level this year, in his first real legitimate taste of NLL action. With Garrett Billings out for at least the first half of the season, Hickey along with Kasey Beirnes and Rob Hellyer will be afforded many offensive opportunities. In Hickey’s first opportunity at the NLL level with the Stealth organization he produced at a point per game pace, as a depth forward. With Hickey being relied upon to produce for the Rock this season, coupled with fact he’s coming off back to back strong WLA seasons, he looks ready to excel on the big stage that is the NLL.
Mike McNamara – New England Black Wolves
While Mike McNamara may never put up more then 10 points in a season, expect him to have a breakout year at the defensive end of the floor. McNamara appeared in 9 games with the Colorado Mammoth last season, and adjusted well to the pace of the NLL game. The 6’2, 220 pound physical defender then excelled this past summer season with the MSL’s Six Nations Chiefs, where he won his second consecutive Mann Cup. McNamara is an intimidating presence on the backend, that anticipates the play well and has fairly good hands for big rugged defender. With McNamara being sent to the New England Black Wolves in the off season, he instantly became one of the more recognizable names on their backend. While the 2015 season will be just his 2nd full season in the NLL, expect McNamara to be a leader and mainstay on a young and inexperience New England Black Wolves team.
Practice Roster Players to Keep an Eye On
Corey Fowler – Buffalo Bandits
The diminutive right handed shot, has produced offensively every where he has played. Most recently Fowler played with 3 teams during the course of the 2014 seasons. First Fowler kicked off 2014 season by suiting up for the Niagara Lock Monsters, appearing in 5 games, but racking up a ridiculous 10 goals & 23 assists for 33 points, on route to a Creators Cup Championship with Niagara. He followed that up by splitting his summer season between St Catharines of the OLA Sr. B loop and KW of the MSL. While suiting up for the St Catharines Saints, Fowler finished 2nd in team and league scoring with 66 points in 11 games. During his time with the KW Kodiaks Fowler racked up nearly 3 points per game, recording 16 goals and 18 assists for 34 points in 12 games. Fowler is one dimensional in the sense that if he is to crack the Bandits active lineup, he’ll have to play strictly on the offensive side of the ball. An that may be a tough task as the likes of Mark Steenhuis, Dhane Smith & Joe Resetarits are main stays on the right side of the Bandits offense. While Fowler will likely need an injury to occur up front, if he does get in the lineup expect him to have an immediate impact.
Colton Porter – Colorado Mammoth
Porter likely wasn’t on many people’s radar heading in to Mammoth training camp, as he was a free agent invite. But his excellent play throughout camp, was enough for the Mammoth to offer him a practice roster spot, as he was just to good to let go. Porter may be on the smaller side for a defensive player, as he stands just 5’8, but he is extremely fit, athletic and brings a ton of energy defensively, more then making up for his lack of size. Porter is a player who has had to work hard for everything he’s got in the lacrosse world, and it’s a testament to his work ethic and ability that he was able to snag a roster spot with the Mammoth as a free agent invite. Porter is an excellent 1 on 1 defender, who excels on lose balls and forcing turnovers. With his transition ability and outstanding athleticism, Porter fits the mould of what every NLL GM is looking for on their backend. In my opinion its only a matter of time until we see Colton Porter in a Regular Season NLL game.
