IL Indoor continues countdown of top players for #NLLDraft on Sept. 22
With the 2014 NLL Draft just days away, Stephen Stamp from IL Indoor continues to count down the top 50 prospects who might hear their name called on Monday night at Toronto Rock Athletic Centre in Oakville, Ontario. Watch the #NLLDraft live on NLL.com and YouTube.com/TLN starting at 7 p.m. ET.
“In today’s installment of the IL Indoor Top 50 National Lacrosse League prospects, we bring you our players ranked 31-40,” Stamp writes. “They’re heavy on the defense, with seven of the 10 being primarily defensive or transition players.
“It’s an interesting year for the draft. As has been noted, there aren’t many top-end talents available. There are, however, dozens of players who fit into the next tier of prospects–players who don’t jump out at you but who could work their way onto rosters given an opportunity and the right circumstances. That means that this area of the prospects list is wide open to interpretation.
“Who gets picked where will depend largely on whether a player has performed well when a particular team’s GM, coaches or scouts were watching, and how each team’s brain trust thinks a particular player will fit in with the players they already have in their lineup.
“With only 180 jobs available in the NLL and so much talent out there, it’s tough for anyone to claim a roster spot these days. The guys in this section of our prospects list will be facing long odds at camp, but don’t expect any of them to give up easily.”
31 – Danny McDermott – RD Maple Ridge Burrards (WLA), NYIT (NCAA), McGill University (CUFLA)
A big, solid righty, McDermott helped Canada win a silver medal at the 2012 U19 field worlds and almost made Canada’s team for the men’s worlds this summer. In the box, he’s steady and dependable. He played 14 games for the Burrards this summer, not recording any points and taking just one minor penalty.
32 – Brandon Goodwin – LF Coquitlam Adanacs (WLA), Adelphi University (NCAA)
Goodwin put up big numbers as a midfielder at Adelphi. He hasn’t found the same level of success in the western summer league, but he is a big body with decent hands who can play a complementary role in an offence.
33 – Paul Brebber – RT Nanaimo Timbermen (WLA), Bellarmine University (NCAA)
Was forced to play out of position in Nanaimo because the Timbermen had a shortage of offensive players. Brebber put up some decent numbers but definitely projects as a defensive player in the pro league. The versatility he showed in playing up front could stand him in good stead as a player who can help push the ball up the floor while taking care of business in his own end first.
34 – Connor Campbell – LD Brampton Excelsiors (OLA Jr A)
Provided stability to the Excelsiors defence with his stay at home game. Before Brampton, he played three years with the Mimico Mountaineers in Jr B, where he showed a touch of transition flair with 10 goals and 9 assists in 20 games in his final season. Campbell is strong and tenacious.
35 – Mike Mawdsley – LT/F Oakville Rock (MSL)
Has decent size and stick skills. Mawdsley was forced into duty as a forward with Oakville this summer and was serviceable, but he’s better suited to a transition role. Scored 34 points, including 19 goals, in his final season of junior.
36 – Corey Shires – LF Nanaimo Timbermen (BCJALL)
Shires is a tall, agile lefty who could spark some interest among western-based teams. He has scored 137 points, including 62 goals, over the last two BC Jr A seasons. Unfortunately, Shires only got a chance to appear in four playoff games in his Jr A career, limiting his chance to showcase himself in pressure situations.
37 – Tyson Roe – RD Nanaimo Timbermen (WLA), Concordia University Wisconsin
At 6’10” and well over 250 pounds, Roe is an imposing figure. He was a midfielder at Concordia and scored 20 goals in his freshman season. He’s decided to enter the draft rather than returning to school. Roe played 16 games with the Timbermen this summer, scoring 3 goals and 5 assists and accumulating 12 penalty minutes. He’ll be an intriguing prospect for a western-based team that is looking for some size on defence.
38 – Todd Nakasuji – LF Oakville Buzz (OLA Jr B), Limestone (NCAA)
Like many players, his school commitments in the US limited his summer playing time in Canada, but when Nakasuji returned from school each summer he jumped right in and produced with the Oakville Buzz. In 24 games from 2011-13, he scored 50 goals and 56 assists for 106 points. He’s slight but talented. As with any Jr B player, Nakasuji is a long-shot to stick in the NLL right away, but as a lefty forward he’ll draw some attention and his advanced skill set may earn him a long look at camp.
39 – Alex Brennan – LD Clarington Green Gaels (OLA Jr B)
A 6’3” defender who should be formidable when he fills into his frame, Brennan is a steady presence who has caught the eye of scouts while playing Jr B lacrosse. He has some touch and plays a strong game while not taking too many penalties.
40 – Matt MacGrotty – LD Coquitlam Adanacs (WLA), Bryant University
MacGrotty is a big (6’4”, 210 lbs) defender with thre partial seasons of experience in the summer league out West. He played 18 games with the Langley Thunder in 2012 and a total of 22 games with Langley and Coquitlam over the next two years while finishing up his degree at Bryant. He played a prominent role for Team Scotland at the World Field Lacrosse Championships.
NLL Draft Top 50 Prospects: #41-50
