NLL Draft Prospects (also see article below)
Brodie Merril**** D Orangeville, ON Georgetown Orangeville Northmen (Jr, OLA)
Jeff Zywicki F Nepean, ON UMass Brooklin Redmen (Major, OLA)
Luke Wiles F Orilla, ON Delaware Barrie Lakeshores (Major, OLA)
Sean Greenhalgh F St. Catharines, ON Cornell St. Catharines Athletics (Major, OLA)
Matt Vinc G St. Catharines, ON Canisius St. Catharines Athletics (Major, OLA)
Matt Brown F Burnaby, BC Denver Burnaby Lakers (WLA)
Nolan Heavenor F Victoria, BC Limestone Victoria Shamrocks (WLA)
Ryan Marshall F Scarborough, ON Duke Burnaby Lakers (WLA)
Kyle Wailes M Toronto, ON Brown Brooklin Redmen (Major, OLA)
Shawn Evans*** F Peterborough, ON Bellarmine Peterborough Lakers (Major, OLA)
Ryan Benesch F Bloomingdale, ON Sacred Heart? Kitchener-Waterloo Braves (Jr. A, OLA)
Dan Carey F Peterborough, ON Canisius Peterborough Lakers (Major, OLA)
Roger Vyse F Six Nations Reserve Limestone Six Nations Chiefs (Major, OLA)
Pat Cardiff M Victoria, BC Limestone Victoria Shamrocks (WLA)
Brad Rennie D Port Coquitlam, BC Elmira Maple Ridge (WLA)
Mike McLellan** F Toronto, ON Mercyhurst Brooklin Redmen (Major, OLA)
Chad Thompson D Orilla, ON NA Barrie Lakeshores (Major, OLA)
Scott Ditzell D Geneva, NY Syracuse NA
Kyle Harrison M Baltimore, MD John Hopkins NA
Callum Crawford F Ottawa, ON Dowling Ottawa Titans/Six Nations (Jr A, OLA)
Benson Erwin D Baltimore, MD Johns Hopkins NA
Shane Pederson O Victoria, BC NA Victoria Shamrocks (WLA)
**** younger brother of Toronto defenseman Patrick Merrill
*** younger brother of Rochester forward Scott Evans
** younger brother of Colorado goalie John McLellan
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2005 NLL Entry Draft OrderFIRST ROUND
1. Portland
2. Rochester (from Edmonton)
3. Philadelphia (from San Jose)
4. Philadelphia (from Minnesota)
5. Arizona (from Anaheim via Buffalo)
6. San Jose (from Philadelphia)
7. Colorado
8. San Jose (from Rochester)
9. Philadelphia (from Buffalo via Minnesota)
10. Buffalo (from Arizona)
11. San Jose (from Toronto via Buffalo)
12. Rochester (from Vancouver)
SECOND ROUND
13. Calgary (from Portland)
14. Edmonton
15. Toronto (from Minnesota)
16. Philadelphia
17. Minnesota (from Colorado)
18. Calgary
19. San Jose (from Rochester)
20. Calgary (from Buffalo)
21. Buffalo (from Arizona)
22. Rochester (from Toronto via Philadelphia via Anaheim)
THIRD ROUND
23. Minnesota (from Portland)
24. Edmonton
25. San Jose
26. Rochester (from Minnesota)
27. Philadelphia
28. Colorado
29. Calgary
30. Edmonton (from Rochester via Minnesota)
31. Edmonton (from Buffalo)
32. Toronto
33. Toronto (from Vancouver)
FOURTH ROUND
34. Portland
35. Edmonton
36. San Jose
37. Minnesota
38. Minnesota (from Philadelphia)
39. Colorado
40. Calgary
41. Rochester
42. Buffalo
43. Arizona
44. Toronto
FIFTH ROUND
45. Portland
46. Edmonton
47. San Jose
48. Minnesota
49. Philadelphia
50. Colorado
51. Calgary
52. Rochester
53. Buffalo
54. Arizona
55. Toronto
SIXTH ROUND
56. Portland
57. Edmonton
58. San Jose
59. Minnesota
60. Rochester (from Anaheim)
61. Philadelphia
62. Colorado
63. Calgary
64. Rochester
65. Buffalo
66. Arizona
67. Toronto
End of Entry Draft
(as of 8/24 -- order is subject to change)
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From NLL Communications -
2005 Entry Draft Preview by Paul Tutka of Laxmag.com
1 Brodie Merrill, Georgetown
No surprise here. Most GM's had Brodie penciled in as the first overall pick four years ago before he decided to go to Georgetown. He's a thoroughbred defender that is possibly the most skilled D guy to ever come to the pro game. He's got size, speed, skill, a mean streak and a scoring touch that'll burn a lot of keepers in coming years. Known that Portland is not gonna move this first pick, Brodie will be in Portland in 2006, that's a guarantee.
2 Shawn Evans, Bellarmine (renounced eligibility)
At 19 Evans already has three summers of SR ball under his belt, including a Mann Cup win last year. No player has ever brought the same combination of skill and toughness as Shawn does. Evans' entry into this year's draft sent shockwaves through the league when it was first learned he'd be leaving school early. Outside of being named to LAXMAG's All Canadian First Team and a finalist for the JOTY (Junior of the Year) Evans is likely the #1 pick on a number of team's hit lists. Don't be surprised to see Evans putting up massive numbers as a 19 year old in the NLL this winter.
3 Luke Wiles, Delaware (renounced eligibility)
Wiles could be the most pro ready ball player available this year. Led Barrie in the B loop last year and took his game up another notch this summer when Wiles and the Lakeshores dropped in the MSL. Luke is a born winner who excels at every level he plays. A good sized power forward who dwarfs a lot of the smaller sized offensive studs available this year. Has a deadly outside bomb that could give a bunch of pro goalies in the larger nets some serious whiplash.
4 Jeff Zywicki, UMass
Would have likely gone second overall in the 04 draft had he not been forced to red shirt in his last year with the Minutemen, some even argue he would have given Delby Powless a run for the top spot. Sweet outside shot and probably the most successful Canuck to go to college of any of the ball players available in this year's draft. Great first step and some of the most deadly hands around the net. Zywicki is pegged as a guy that will give D's in this league some serious nightmares in the near future.
5 Kyle Wailes, Brown
Wailes is the complete package on offense and should go top five in this year's stacked draft. Was named JR's top stud last year and was taken first overall in the MSL draft last off-season. One of the most athletic and overpowering offensive monsters available this year. Should be a big assist guy in the pros, great floor vision and has a knack for finding the open man with some seriously sick feed skills.
6 Matt Brown, Denver
Another one of the few big sized forwards available this year and with the extra room in the pro barns, should rein pure hell on opposing D's. Was a pure goal scorer at Denver and an all-out offensive stud during his ridiculously successful career for one of Canada's most successful JR clubs, the Burnaby Lakers. Like his sporting idol, Cam Neely, Brown's big, skilled and not afraid to muck it up to pickup a loosie.
7 Sean Greenhalgh, Cornell
Greenhalgh's another kid GM's have been drooling over for years. Although he's kinda small his sick offensive talents are enough for him to be taken within the top five depending on what team is on the clock in that span. Probably the smartest and most gifted offensive guy available this year. Some of the feeds this guy threw down during his Minto runs with St. Catharines were absolutely legendary.
8 Matt Vinc, Canisius
A lot of keepers are available this year, but few come close to Matt Vinc. As many keepers have shown over the last three years, the jump from JR ball to the pros is a pretty monster hike. Vinc has adapted well to the SR sized nets over the last two summers and after another year in front of a mediocre Athletics' D, you better believe this kid is legit. Will likely go within the top five due to the fact there's about eight teams that are hungry as hell for a legit keeper of the future. Will be the highest keeper taken since Gee Nash, rumored that he could go top three, likely to Philly, who'll be looking for Dallas Eliuk's predecessor.
9 Dan Carey, Canisius (renounced eligibility)
Another late off-season entry and Carey is as legit as they come. A great outside bomb and more quality SR experience, with two seasons playing for the defending Mann Cup champion Peterborough Lakers, than anyone else in this year's draft. Put up 110 points over the last two seasons, not bad for Dan's first two summers of SR ball.
10 Nolan Heavenor, Limestone
A great defensive forward that does virtually anything you'd need of a ball player. Great face-off guy that has put up huge numbers at both the JR and SR level with the Shamrocks and destroyed the scoring charts while at Limestone too. Will make a great offensive transitional stud in the pros. Good tough ball player that plays both man up and down and could go higher if teams are looking at more than just high profile player's stats. Nolan going outside of the first round will set up a steal for one lucky club.
11 Roger Vyse, Limestone
Vyse comes to the table with one of the most mature and consistent offensive games this year. Another offensive stud in a draft just saturated with them, Vyse brings pure consistency and comes to the plate with a pretty athletic and versatile game. Great pure forward with great hands around the crease along with a good outside shot.
12 Mike McLellan, Mercyhurst
Probably the oldest player available this year unless someone tries to draft Gary Roberts again. McLellan's been around the block, in a good way. Not many JR A studs can hold a candle to Mike's experience and not many will be able to hang with his on-floor performance either. Played as more of a two-way worker in his JR days, while his time at school allowed Mike to take his athletic ability and obvious scoring touch to lead Mercyhurst in scoring the last two years. Look for Mike to gel the two brands of ball he's excelled at to turn into this year's most underrated draft pick.
13 Chad Thompson, Orillia Rama Kings
The OLA's top JR defender, Thompson combines size, a nice scoring touch and a ruthless checking game in his own end that makes him the second best offensive defensemen probably behind only Merrill. He should also be the first non-NCAA product to go this year depending on what teams are looking for when the second round comes around. Has played with Barrie down the stretch as well as in the post-season and has looked far from out of place playing against NLL caliber ball players.
14 Scott Ditzell, Syracuse
After the offensive ball players are picked in the first round, it'll be work horses like Chad Thompson and Syracuse grad Scott Ditzell that'll be taken in the second and early third rounds. Ditzell's a beast and one of the bigger guys available this year, but it's his speed and change of direction that will have teams looking at Scott come the mid to late second round.
15 Pat Cardiff, Limestone
Maybe the best Canadian bred dodger available this year (or over the last five plus years), a skill most Canucks are lacking in. Really solid offensive middie at Limestone that should really be able to expose the competition with his work between the restraining lines once he hits the bigs. Few Canadian's come to the table with the kinda feet and hands Cardiff combines.
16 Kyle Harrison, Johns Hopkins
Kyle's got the stick, the speed and the tools to take his game to pro box, but is he willing to make the jump? Ryan Boyle's leap from Princeton to the NLL was the most unreal transition to box we've ever seen, but it's that determination and willingness to start from scratch and pretty much learn a new sport during training camp that will dictate which American field studs make the jump. Did Boyle pave the way last year for top US studs to go to box? We'll find out how willing teams are to take guys like Harrison during a draft year where you can pick up at least two guaranteed studs.
17 Ryan Marshall, Duke
Marshall is about as low profile you can get for a kid that spent four successful years at Duke while capping it off by coming an inch away from a National Title and a spot in the North/South All-Star Game. Didn't log a lot of time last summer playing ball in Canada until he resurfaced this summer with Burnaby after being cut by Coquitlam. Great two-way guy that has a scoring touch that can really come up big when he turns it up, just ask Coquitlam, who Marshall scorched for a hat-trick this summer.
18 Callum Crawford, Dowling (renounced eligibility)
Crawford blew it up big last year, shredding the scoring charts while at Dowling. He has decent size and could really shore up a clubs left side. Great vision around the net where you never know if he's gonna come around and drop one high on the cage or set up a sick no-look feed. Really versatile forward that has probably been Six Nations' most consistent presence on offense during this year's JR A playoffs.
19 Benson Erwin, Johns Hopkins
As far as Americans go at making it in pro box, Erwin has the makeup to be a real defensive transitional monster in the NLL. One of, if not the best short stick middies in the NCAA, Erwin's hard-nosed balls-out style of play along with his speed on the break make him the kinda guy pro box GM's are definitely willing to take a chance on. Logged in some decent minutes with Baltimore this summer and should definitely have impressed Colorado Mammoth Head Coach and Baltimore player coach, Gary Gait.
20 Shane Pederson, Victoria Shamrocks
Pederson is one of a possible seven JR Shamrocks that could very well be selected in this year's draft, although Shane is almost certain to go first. This kids got it all. A multi sport athlete that has the wheels, heart, skill and brains to play as a offensive tranny in the pros. Also brings a ton of leadership from his years playing for the JR Rocks. Could and probably will go higher than 20.
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NLL and Comcast OLN NegotiatingAccording to
MediaWeek, "Comcast's OLN is negotiating with the National Lacrosse League for a cable TV rights package that would televise one national game of the week on Saturday or Sunday, beginning with the upcoming season that kicks off in December. NLL Commissioner Jim Jennings said OLN has an advantage over ESPN because it has available weekend windows to air the games live, while ESPN could only air them on a tape-delayed basis." Follow the link for the complete story.
