NLL Insider

Rookies created a big impact on the 2008 National Lacrosse League (NLL) season. You’ve got some players among the top of their teams in points, and others playing outstanding defense. This post takes a look back at the play of your rookies over the 08 season, for those guys already at the links.

Chicago

Bobby McBride (13gp, 8g, 21points, 73gbs) is being considered for an NLL All-Rookie Team selection. One of the older rookies this season with prior MSL experience, McBride was clutch for the ‘Rox during their playoff run, and he did it while dealing with an injury. The speedy transition player dressed Games 13 and 14 with a broken thumb and missed the team’s last two games due to injury.

“Mcbride gave us the ability to compete for lb’s on the faceoff,” said Chicago GM and Head Coach Jamie Batley. “He also gave us the ability to move the ball down the floor quickly to create fast break opportunities. Other teams were concerned of his speed. After only playing 10 games of lacrosse in five years – due to playing in the OHL and Canadian University hockey, Bob quickly picked up the stick skills and became a threat to score. He should double his points next year.”

“Kevin (Ross) (9gp, 5g, 11points, 21gbs) also showed he could play at this level,” added Batley, of his No. 12 overall selection in the 2007 NLL Entry Draft. “He didn’t light it up, but he progressed slowly and should put up good numbers next season.”

Colorado

Colorado spent two late draft picks in the 07 NLL Entry Draft trying to pick up a forward. They cut their first pick, Nate Sanderson, who was subsequently signed by Toronto, and kept Dylan Llord (3gp, 3g, 5points, 8gbs), selected No. 30 overall in the Draft. Llord got some minutes and shot a solid 21% on the season, but they’re bringing him along slowly in Colorado. “He really was caught in the numbers game with a very veteran right side,” added Colorado GM Steve Govett, who noted he liked Llord’s progression this season.

An unexpected surprise and boost to Colorado’s line up was Chris Gill (va) (6gp, 4points, 32bs) who collected four loose balls and was 3-5 in the face-off circle last weekend. “Chris Gill was tremendous this season,” said Govett. “He got into the lineup in Buffalo because of several other players being unavailable and has proven to be one of our strongest defenders. His speed, strength and athleticism were a great injection into the line-up. He also has the ability to face-off. Look for this kid to make a great impact in our future.”

Edmonton

“We are very excited about Steve Hutchins (6gp, 3g, 9points, 15gbs),” said new Edmonton GM and head coach Bob Hamley. “He has a huge upside and as a 21-year-old on a struggling offense I thought he did well. Next training camp he will have a summer of playing against men under his belt and will understand what lies ahead for his second NLL season.”

Edmonton had moved up in the draft to select Hutchins at No. 15 overall. Their free agent signing of Kevin Olson (2gp, 1g, 8gbs) never panned out. Looking forward, the Rush have put themselves in position to pick-up more quality rookies. Edmonton will have Toronto’s 1st round pick this year which should be a Top 5 pick and Colorado’s which will be a Top 10, said Hamley.

Minnesota

Minnesota played a number of rookies in their line-up this season. Two were widely praised and will be considered for the NLL All-Rookie Team: forward Craig Point (16gp, 27g, 61points, 74gbs) and defender Kyle Ross (13gp, 3g, 9points, 77gbs). Unfortunately, both were bothered by injuries.

“Hampered by nagging injuries since late February, Point played a huge role on the Minnesota powerplay and offense this season,” added GM Marty O’Neill on Point, who was held to just one goal in each of his last six starts (including their playoff game). Kyle Ross was hampered by a late season shoulder separation and then re-separation which had him sidelined. “Ross has blazing speed out of the D end, and is a great one-on-one checker,” said O’Neill.

Top 10 NLL Entry Draft selection Justin Norbraten (6gp, 5points, 21gbs) became a utility player. On a powerplay unit in the WLA, Norbraten showed he’s got the size and skill to play at either end of the floor. He dressed mostly in a defensive role this season, and adapted extremely well.

Minnesota also features other players with lots of up-side. Nick Inch (8gp, 1point, 20gbs) got some solid minutes and played well last weekend. “Inch developed into a starter as the season went on, incredible speed and strength combination,” added O’Neill. “He really elevated his level here in the second half of the season.”

Colin Achenbach (8gp, 2g, 6points, 35gbs) was another Minnesota rookie who stole playing time through great work ethic. Chris Courtney (2gp, 1g, 2points, 9gbs) has potential as a 20-year-old. The Swarm also brought along rookie goaltender Kevin Crowsell (16gp, .79 SV%).

Philadelphia

Merrick Thomson (15gp, 26g, 55points, 59gbs) and Jamie Rooney (15gp, 20g, 43points, 59gbs) were both a big part of why Philadelphia was one of the league’s highest scoring teams this year. Thomson, who had four points on one goal in the playoffs, was expected to have a good season as the No. 2 overall selection in the 07 NLL Entry Draft. Rooney, originally selected by Buffalo way back in 04, was a suprise, scoring clutch goals all season. He had three goals, four points last weekend.

“Jamie’s points do not capture the number of important goals and important loose balls he got for us over the year,” added Philadelphia head coach Dave Huntley.

“Pat Heim started the year as a transition guy and finished as one of our top defenders, seeing a lot of time on special teams. His offensive skills make him a very versatile player for us. I think all three of these guys (Thomson, Rooney and Heim) deserve consideration for All-Rookie.”

Helping with the Wings’ up-style tempo were rookies Pat Heim (16gp, 5g, 13points, 46gbs) and Jim Borell (11gp, 2g, 11points, 46 gbs) who became a regular in the Wings’ line-up. “Jim Borell can cover one-on-one against anybody, is great on loose balls and stretches the floor in transition as well as anyone,” added Huntley.

Philadelphia also had rookie Brett Moyer (10gp, 1g, 2points, 26gbs) who started the year on their practice squad and ended up a regular at the back door, and was a contributor on special teams. Dave Mitchell (6gp, 5g, 6points, 26gbs) become a swing guy playing transition and forward.

Combined with sophomore studs Athan Iannucci and Geoff Snider, the feature in Philadelphia looks bright despite an early round exit from the playoffs this year.

Rochester

The Knighthawks missed out on the post-season this year. Their rookies didn’t produce the numbers you’d expect from top-draft picks, and some would be upset with their lack of offensive production. But Rochester head coach Ed Comeau doesn’t look at it that way. “We were pleased with all of them,” said Comeau of his rookies. “It’s a tough adjustment from Junior to the pro game, and I think they all did pretty well.”

Matt Lyons (12gp, 9g, 15points, 26gbs), taken No. 11 overall in the Draft originally by Boston, was the oldest of the three rookie forwards in Rochester and played solid minutes. “Matt’s a real good shooter, good pick-and-roll player, good hands. As he gets older, he’s going to score a lot of goals in the NLL. There’s no question about that,” said Comeau.

Mat McLeod (11gp, 7g, 14points, 32gbs), selected No. 9 overall, was more of a grinder for the K-Hawks. He’s still very young too, with lots of upside and maturity. Similar to Lyons, he shot a respectable 21%. He’ll play more Junior and be even better next year. Andrew Potter (2gp, 1g, 9gbs) played in just two games this season. Overall, it’s a young rookie class with up-side.

San Jose

Frank Resetarits (13gp, 17g, 34points, 27gbs), selected No. 5 overall in the Draft, came on stronger late in the season and threw up two goals, four points last weekend. WLA Rookie of the year and the No. 7 overall selection Tom Johnson (8gp, 8g, 15points, 18gbs) got in less games and contributed just one goal, two points in the playoffs. Neither put up the type of numbers San Jose was probably hoping for from Top 10 selections that were pegged to have “exceptional” rookie seasons. And Sean Morris (3gp, 2g, 8points, 5gbs) apparently had a fall-out with the coaching staff after an impressive first game.

On the defensive end, Steve Panarelli (14gp, 2g, 3points, 51gbs) and Paul Dawson (15gp, 5a, 31gbs) both turned out to be pleasant surprises. Panarelli was an American field pole turned boxla defender in his first indoor season, and Paul Dawson was a former goalie turned D-man.

Toronto

Toronto’s rookie class was not as deep as others. Defender Jay Winder (11gp, 1g, 2points, 38gbs) impressed however. “He was very strong,” agreed Toronto head coach Glenn Clark. “He was off the radar a bit, undrafted.”

Mark Scherman (6gp, 3a, 12gbs) is also someone Toronto is looking to, but likely more as a third or fourth option lefty to set picks and score the odd goal. “He’s a really good athlete and has an abundance of speed.” The Rock took Scherman with their first pick, No. 21 overall in the last Draft. Both Winder and Sanderson were free agents.

Nate Sanderson (1gp, 1gb) suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in practice the week after cracking the line-up in his first NLL game. He’ll be with Barrie this summer. “A lot happens between now and next season in terms of whether there’s another dispersal draft, expansion draft. There’s still lots of shuffling to do. Who knows where the dust will settle, but Nate’s a guy that’s going to play in this league,” added Clark.

For a look at rookies still playing in the post-season, check back later today.

An All-America at Simon Fraser and a decorated Jr. A player for Coquitlam, Kojima began covering lacrosse in 2003 and started working for Inside Lacrosse in 2007. Email him at steve.kojima@nllinsider.com or go to www.laxfuj.com.

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