NLL Insider

Rookie Watch 2008

NLLinsider.com will keep a ranking of this year’s Top Rookies. Before we take a look at the rankings, however, let’s first take a look at the ’07 Entry Draft and see which rookies lasted through training camps.

Buffalo

Three rookies will see time in and out of the line up for the Bandits. Looking to play the biggest role amongst those rookies is Six Nation’s product and St. Regis defender Kyle Schmelzle. ”He’s a big, physical guy, very athletic,” said Head Coach and GM Darris Kilgour. Darris is also high on Brandon Francis who won close to 80% of their draws in an exhibition against Toronto. “He’s doing a great job on the draws, which is something we haven’t had in a long time. I’m very pleased with him as well,” said Kilgour.

Joe Smith, a native of Buffalo and member of the MLL Rochester Rattlers, will add to the back end and see some playing time. Brandon Swamp, who waived his NCAA eligibility and was selected at No. 18 overall by Minny before Buffalo traded for his rights, has also looked good in camp and will try to find playing time. He’s currently on the practice roster.

Calgary

Calgary’s top pick was Dane Dobbie at No. 4 overall. An Ontario native, Dane led Jr. A playoff scoring this past season with 31 points in seven games for the Burnaby Lakers. Although only 5’9, the Roughnecks are saying he’s had a great camp and will see regular playing time on the left-side. “He’s astute, sees the floor well, and can either set up goals or score them. He has the potential to be a top notch performer for years to come,” said GM Kurt Silcott of Dobbie. “I anticipate he’ll get the start in Denver on opening day.”

Another rookie Calgary expects to get in the line up from the get go is Mike Carnegie. Silcott added Peter McFetridge, a 6’3 defenseman from Burnaby Jr. A, will also likely see playing time this year. The Roughnecks selected McFetridge at No. 10 overall in this year’s NLL Entry Draft.

Chicago

The Shamrox have added just one rookie to their line up, Bobby McBride, and he’ll likely only receive limited playing time, if that. McBride, a right-handed forward, who has played with Brampton and Brooklin in the MSL, was originally selected by the Toronto Rock in the second round of the ’02 NLL Entry Draft and signed as a free agent with Chicago this year.

That said, the ‘Rox do have sophomore Cody Jacobs. “We’re going to look for him on the left hand side to score us a lot of goals this year,” said head coach Jamie Batley of Jacobs. Batley was also the head coach of the ’06 and ’07 Mann Cup champion Peterborough Lakers. Kevin Ross, Chicago’s No. 12 overall selection, did not make the cut.

Colorado

The Mammoth decided to go with Dylan Llord, selected No. 43 overall in the ’07 NLL Entry Draft, and not Nathan Sanderson, who they selected at No. 26. The two forwards battled for one spot on the team, and Dylan won out. “Dylan Llord came to camp with all the tools that make a successful NLL player,” said Colorado GM Steve Govett. “He has an outstanding stick with a great shot, from both outside and inside, and was always around the loose balls. We have heard it been said that he might be the next Craig Conn out of St. Catherines. His game is multi dimensional and impressed everyone on our staff.” IL will bring you an interview with Llord next week.

Llord is the only true rookie on Colorado’s 2008 roster, but Govett also spoke highly of defender Chris Gill who was on their practice roster last year. He’s still there, but will find playing time if there are injuries. Govett said Gill’s athletic, and one of the strongest players in the league physically.

Edmonton

In Edmonton, you’ll likely see two rookies regularly rotated into the line-up. The Rush moved up in the draft process to select Whitby’s Steve Hutchins at No. 15 overall. “Hutchins is younger and at 21, still one of our best offensive players going to the net,” said Head Coach and GM Paul Day. The Rush rookie to watch, however, may be Kevin Olson, a B.C. product who’s proven he can put up solid numbers in senior in the WLA. He signed as a free agent this season. “Olson is in the best shape of his life and we feel he just needs an opportunity,” added Day. “At 25 he is ready to make the step to the NLL and he will get an opportunity to play. We expect both guys to get in some action and will be depth for us.”

Minnesota

Minny has several new rookies in their line up in 2008, but two stand out. Craig Point, the No. 3 overall selection in the 2007 NLL Entry Draft, may very well turn out to be the league’s Rookie of the year. Point alone gives Minnesota more size up front and a ton of skill for other teams to consider. “I’m looking forward to having Craig open up the floor for our whole offense,” offered Minnesota’s GM Marty O’neill. Justin Norbraten, the No. 9 overall selection in this year’s draft, adds versatility as a draw man. He also plays in the WLA for Langley, as a drawman and shooter on the power-play.

Other rookies in the Swarm line up who may see limited playing time include defenders Nick Inch, Colin Achenbach, Chris Coutney, and goaltender Kevin Crowsell.

New York

Jordan Hall, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2007 NLL Entry Draft is obviously a large pick up for the club. He’s already proven himself in the senior rank, and at World field lacrosse championships. The Titans also had the benefit of picking at the No. 13 and No. 17 overall spots as well and grabbed Mitch Belisle and Rory Smith who will be asked to contribute immediately.

New York’s other rookies are Jeff Bigas and Hunter Lochte.

Philly

Philadelphia has seven new rookies, and the team has projected all will see a lot of floor time. Their top pick was Merrick Thomson. Selected second overall in the 2007 NLL Entry Draft, the club had high expecations for Thomson, the University of Albany grad. “He has exceeded our expectations from the first day of camp, and we are looking for him to be an impact player for us from game one,” said Philadelphia Head Coach Dave Huntley. And David Mitchell, a transition player selected at No. 25 overall, is a pick up Philly thought could have just as easily been a first round selection. “He is an athletic lefty that has a knack for scoring goals,” added Huntley.

Rookie transition player Jim Borell may be one of the fastest players on the Wings’ roster, and the club thinks Pat Heim has tons of upside. “We think Pat, at this stage of his career, is very similar to where Jay Jalbert was. It is a high bar but we think Pat will meet or exceed the challenge.”

Filling out the rookie line up are defenders Brett Moyer, Jaime Rooney and Brenden Thenhaus.

Portland

The Lumberjax are excited about their No. 6 overall pick, Tyler Cordon. “We knew what we were getting in terms of his athleticism and defensive ability, but his skills in transition so far have succeeded our expectations. I think he’ll make an immediate impact,” said Head Coach and GM Derek Keenan. Cordon led PoCo in scoring last year, and played up with Coquitlam in the Mann Cup. Not a true rookie, but the ‘Jax also picked up right-hander Derek Lowe who is coming off his best season in the WLA after a 37 goal performance last season.

Portland also kept two young prospects that they’re really keen on. Cory Conway, who Portland selected with the No. 16 overall pick, stands 6’2, 195. He led the Victoria Jr. A Shamrocks with 68 points last season. “He is an offensive dynamo with tremendous speed, strength and quickness and his stick skills are top notch,” said Keenan. Peter Jacobs, Portland’s No. 24 overall selection in the 2007 NLL Entry Draft from Akwesasne, is only 18, and the club asserts he’s already ready for the pro level. “I will predict that within three or four years, if not sooner this kid will be a star in the NLL. He’s about as smooth as they come!” said Keenan.

Rochester

The defending champions haven’t made commitments regarding playing time to any of their rookies, but they anticipate all three of their rooks getting in this season. That includes Matt Lyons, Boston’s No. 11 overall selection, selected in the dispersal draft. “I think he’s fit in real well. He seems to be offensively an all around complete player. Good out-side shot, good inside player, good pick-and-roll player. Definitely, someone we think can play an important role for us on the right-hand side,” said Rochester Head Coach Ed Comeau. “We think both him and Matt McLeod are going to be real good players in this league, and they’re going to get an opportunity to play some games this year.” Matt McLeod, who was selected at No. 8 overall, still has two years of junior left. “A real strong player, cuts real hard to the middle. Again, huge up-side and certainly a guy we’re looking for to the future.”

Rochester is also carrying Andrew Potter. “We like his game. He’s a natural scorer,” said Comeau. “He’s playing behind some pretty good players, so I think this season’s going to be about developing and learning the pro game. He’s certainly going to be a real good future player in this league.”

San Jose

The Stealth are excited about their rookie class, and looking for several to have an immediate impact, starting with first round selections Frank Resetarits and Tom Johnson, the No. 5 and No. 7 overall selections in this year’s draft, respectively. “We feel that both are poised to have exceptional rookie seasons working with our veteran offensive players,” said the Stealth’s Assistant GM Doug Locker. “Both are extremely hard working, eager to learn and possess a great deal of talent. Frank can go inside and well as shoot well from outside. Tom Johnson is a guy who can set hard picks and free up guys as well as score some goals for us. Both play well in traffic.”

San Jose is also looking for meaningful contributions from transition player Syracuse’s Steve Panarelli, their third selection in the 2007 NLL Entry Draft at No. 31 overall. Rookie drawman Greg Gurenlian will also see floor time.

Toronto

The Rock expect three rookies to play an active part of their 2008 roster. Looking to add a left-handed forward, Mark Scherman was the Rock’s first pick in the 2007 NLL Entry Draft at No. 21 overall. “We thought Mark was the best left-handed forward when we picked,” said Toronto’s Director of Lacrosse Operations Mike Kloepfer. “We think he’s got a lot of potential, and he’s had a very good training camp with us. He is a complete player with very good skills. He’ll play a strong roll with our roster… He probably gets the opportunity to play right away.”

Toronto also scooped up Nate Sanderson, the No. 26 overall selection in the 2007 NLL Entry Draft, after he was let go by Colorado. “He adds depth to our right-side. There’s an opportunity as a forward to move up in the depth chart and play a significant role in the next couple of years.” Kloepfer noted they are also happy with their free agent signing of Whitby’s Jay Winder. “He’s done a really good job. He’s highly skilled athletic player, who we think is just going to get better. He’s basically earned his opportunity.”

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And while earning a spot on one of 12 pro NLL franchises is an accomplishment in itself, earning playing time is a whole other story. Which rookie will have the biggest impact this season? Next week I’ll rank who I think the top rookies will be in 2008. Voice your thoughts on the NLLForums.

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