Bayhawks Select Six Players in MLL Supplemental Draft
Published on December 10, 2008 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Chesapeake Bayhawks News Release
Washington, DC - The Washington Bayhawks announced that six players were selected in the Major League Lacrosse (MLL) 2009 Supplemental Draft according to Co-Owner and General Manager Scott Hiller. The Bayhawks also claimed a seventh player from the MLL Player Pool following the draft bringing the total player roster to 30 players. The Bayhawks selected former-NFL player Charles "Chas" Gessner with their first pick in the draft.
"We're very happy with all of our selections," said Scott Hiller following the draft. "We're fortunate to have so many local, talented players, and we will be thrilled to see them play for us this season."
The Supplemental Draft is a seven round draft between the general managers and coaches of all ten MLL teams. The MLL team rosters are expanded from 23 players to 35 players following the draft. Each team has the opportunity to fill their remaining roster spots with waiver claims from the MLL Player Pool or conduct an Open Tryout during the off-season.
The Bayhawks had the second overall pick in the Supplemental Draft, and the team selected midfielder Chas Gessner. Gessner was an All-American lacrosse standout at Brown University and graduated in 2003. In addition to his lacrosse career, Gessner signed as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL) in 2003. He played in his first NFL game as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2007. He also played for the Berlin Thunder of NFL-Europe was an All-NFL Europe Team wide receiver. In 2008, Gessner played for the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League (AFL). Gessner was born in Washington, DC and currently resides in Hyattsville, MD.
"Chas is a terrific all-around athlete," said Hiller. "He brings a lot of positive attributes to our team, and a wealth of professional sports experience too. We're excited to have him back and playing lacrosse again."
The team used their second selection (2nd Round, 13th Overalll) on Brendan Skakandi, a Johns Hopkins University defenseman from Baltimore, MD. Skakandi helped anchor a Blue Jay defense that won the 2007 NCAA Division I National Championship. In 2006, Skakandi led the defense to holding opponents to nine goals or less in nine of the fourteen games that season.
The Bayhawks did not pick again until fourth round when they selected Dan Marohl with the 33rd overall pick. Marohl has played five seasons in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) which is the premier indoor lacrosse league. He played five years for the Philadelphia Wings and played for the Minnesota Swarm in 2008. Marohl was an NLL All-Star in 2006. He graduated from UMBC in 2000 and resides in Baltimore.
The fifth round selection saw a familiar face return to the Bayhawks. Devon Britts was drafted 43rd overall and the only player selected by the Bayhawks with MLL game experience. Britts was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Riptide out of Rutgers in 2006. He was acquired by the Bayhawks mid-season in 2007 and played in four games for Washington before being released during the 2008 season. In 13 career MLL games, Britts has scored three goals and four assists for seven total points.
The Bayhawks used their remaining two picks to draft George Castle (53rd overall) and Alex Wharton (63rd overall). Castle, a 2008 graduate from Johns Hopkins, played with Skakandi on the 2007 National Championship team. Wharton played midfield at Notre Dame and was a team captain his senior year in 2008.
Following the draft, the Bayhawks claimed Michael Phipps from the MLL Player Pool. Phipps graduated from the University of Maryland in 2007. An Annapolis native, Phipps played high school lacrosse at Severn School.
The Bayhawks will host an open tryout in February 2009 to determine the final five roster spots. More information will become available as details are finalized.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from December 10, 2008
- Bayhawks Select Six Players in MLL Supplemental Draft - Chesapeake Bayhawks
- Major League Lacrosse Completes 2009 Supplemental Draft - MLL
- Boston Cannons Add Seven Players in MLL Suplement Draft - Boston Cannons
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