NLL Insider

With the Minto Cup being a tourney between three provinces, every Jr. A fan needs to be informed of the top threats of the East, West, and the area in between. Today we take a look at the most dangerous forwards, defenders, and two-way players that could be on their way from Alberta to Brampton come August.

Simon Giourmetakis, forward, Edmonton Eclipse

If you’re only going to remember one name from this entire article, make it this one. Germ-a-tock-iss. You’ll be hearing it aplenty in the pros once his years at Canisius College are over with. Giourmetakis would be a top player on any team in any province’s Jr. A loop, but he’s opted to return to the hometown Eclipse, guiding them to an undefeated 5-0-1 thus far. A classic power forward with impeccable instincts who’s as smart as he is fast, Giourmetakis has been leading Jr. A scoring since his rookie year and this season is no exception.

Casey McIntyre, forward, Calgary Raiders

Well-rounded is the name of McIntyre’s game, a guy who’s about three steps ahead of everyone else on the floor at all times. He’s as comfortable setting a pick or scrambling after a loose ball in the corner as he is driving to the net dragging a pair of defenders. Similar to Giourmetakis in how smart he is and how fully he sees the floor, McIntyre is one of the major reasons the Raiders have gone from basement-dwelling in ’08 to the top of the standings in ‘09.

Spencer Lorenz, forward, Edmonton Miners

What a difference a year can make. Through 15 games last season Lorenz put up 22 points. Through seven games this season? 21, good enough for first in team scoring and fourth in the league. Luckily for the suddenly-struggling Miners, Lorenz is hitting his peak when his team needs him the most.

Kevin Wallin, forward, Edmonton Miners

Funny thing, but even though he’s one of the slickest finishers in the league, Wallin always manages to have way more assists than goals. Can’t help but wonder what his numbers would look like if he one day decided to get greedy.

Tyler Melnyk, forward, Calgary Mountaineers

The bad news for the Mountaineers following last year’s Minto Cup tournament was that they were losing a significant portion of their core to graduation. The good news? In Melnyk and Kiel Donahue, the Mountaineers had two of the top rookies in the league and they’ve developed into not just two of the top second-years, but two of the top players overall. The only suspense surrounding Melnyk’s junior career is if he’ll remain in Alberta a la Giourmetakis, or be lured further west in the footsteps of Joe Vetere and many more.

Kiel Donahue, transition, Calgary Mountaineers

If second-year stud Donahue slipped under the NLLinsider radar a little bit last season, it’s because it’s so hard to pinpoint what he does best. Equally monstrous on either side of the ball, Donahue is one of the top pure athletes in the province and one of the first names out of the mouths of opponents – offense and defense alike – when asked who they don’t look forward to facing.

Danny Dahms, transition, Calgary Raiders

If you’re privy to all the praise Dahms receives from both teammates and opponents for his transition and defensive prowess, you’re excused for doing a double-take when you see his height and weight. 5’7”? 138 lbs.? Looks like someone hasn’t learned the art of lying about his stats. Go ahead, tack on another three inches and 30 pounds, we will believe you.

Nils Thompson, defender, Edmonton Miners

Ah, writing about lacrosse defenders, one of the few times in life it’s okay to call someone beastly. Just 18 years old, Thompson has been getting steadily tougher and is known as one of the best one on one guys in the league.

Joel Derechinski, defender, Calgary Raiders

Yes, our very own fish out of water is back for more Canadian summer ball hijinks and his added defensive experience has no doubt helped the Raiders flip from the bottom to the top in the standings. He’s also already scored a goal this year!

Matt Melnyk, defender, Calgary Mountaineers

Not the biggest guy in the league at 5’11”, but quite possibly the toughest as it’s well known that he’ll scrap anyone no matter how many inches or pounds they’ve got on him, so long as it’s going to help out his team.

Josh McRobb, defender, Edmonton Eclipse

6’5”, 265 pounds, and rated the top fighter in the league. I say we all make a deal right now that if Josh McRobb ever goes after a player and that player runs off the floor, down the tunnels, and through a brick wall like the Kool-Aid Man to get out into the parking lot, we don’t make fun of him.

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