NLL Insider

Holdon Vyse trying to give a New West forward a closer look at his stick. (Ward Laforme Jr.)

As en vogue as it is in the National Lacrosse League to stock your stable with good, athletic, up-and-down defenders, you still have to have those honest, meat-and-potatoes, fundamental D guys on the court that play a pure defender role to a T, which not only keeps the rock outta your cage, but allows those two-way D guys to go for a run up floor too.

There are two Six Nations Arrows’ grads that fit that bill in this year’s NLL Entry Draft. The first, the guy we’ve heard about for a little while now, a likely first or second overall pick, Sid Smith. The other? Holdon Vyse, an ‘09 OLA All-Star member who plays smart, tough, no nonsense lacrosse, one of this year’s top junior level pure defenders available.

HOLDON VYSE

Height: 5′11
Weight: 225 lbs.
Position: Defense
Shoots: Right
From: Six Nations, Ontario
Junior: Six Nations Arrows
College: Onondaga CC

What do you feel your greatest asset is that would allow you to translate your game to the NLL?
Being able to anticipate plays before they happen and my willingness to learn.

One (or a couple) word(s) to describe your game?
Old school

What role/position do you see yourself playing in the NLL?
A stay home defenseman, maybe get the ball up too. Basically whatever is needed from me.

What current or former NLLer would you most closely compare or model your game after?
Regy Thorpe or Marshall Abrams. I’m not very flashy or score a ton of goals, but I make sure I get my job done in my own end. Definitely positioning over speed for me.

Your greatest accomplishment (team or individual) during your college, junior or even senior lacrosse career?
The national championships were great (Note: Vyse was an ‘07 Minto Cup winner), but I think just having the boys depend on you in a Game 7 and pulling out the W is the biggest thing for me.

Anything else to add?
I’m available to play in any NLL city and able to work in the US. I’ve spent five years with Jake Kicknosway, so I think I can handle just about anything!

Other Hello My Name Is…

• Former Jr. B scoring sensation and Mars Hill attacker Dave Hodgins (Read More)
• Coquitlam Adanacs smash mouth pure defender Brandon Turner (Read More)
• Victoria Shamrocks versatile D/two-way stud Erik Sage (Read More)
• Gritty Peterborough Lakers power forward Kyle Clancy (Read More)
• The spicy yet methodical Brampton Excels off-season pickup Dane Stevens (Read More)
• Nanaimo T-Men Jr. A forward Jon Diplock (Read More)
• Edmonton’s past-first forward Sean Reid (Read More)
• Loyola grad and current MLL defender PT Ricci (Read More)
• Calgary Raiders agreesive, physical defender Garrett Werschke (Read More)
• The Burlington Chiefs timely scoring ace Ryan Learn (Read More)
• Verstaile Burnaby Lakers offensive sniper Shaun Dhaliwal (Read More)
• Syracuse’s most recent #22 and ‘09 MLL rookie of the year Dan Hardy (Read More)
• The RMLL’s versatile offensive transitional force Kiel Donahue (Read More)
• BCJALL five-year vet goaltender Ray Hodgkinson (Read More)
• Edmonton Eclipse starting backstop Marc Nano (Read More)

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