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Mammoth Bolsters Roster in Draft with Two First-Rounders

September 22, 2014 - National Lacrosse League (NLL) - Colorado Mammoth News Release


OAKVILLE, ONTARIO - The Colorado Mammoth addressed a need for a left-handed scorer on Monday night at the 2014 NLL Draft at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre in Oakville, Ontario by selecting forward Eli McLaughlin with the fourth-overall selection. Minutes later, the Mammoth made a splash when it acquired the seventh pick and drafted defenseman Robert Hope, the first non-forward selected.

"This was a great night for our organization and our fans," said Mammoth president & general manager Steve Govett. "Eli has the ability to be a dominant offensive player. For Robert to fall to number seven, and for us to be able to trade for the pick, we couldn't be happier!"

"I'm so excited," said McLaughlin. "It's been a dream ever since I started playing to play professional lacrosse...I've been to one game in Colorado. It's a great atmosphere!"

The Coquitlam Adanacs product led the British Columbia Lacrosse League "˜Jr. A' ranks with 47 regular-season goals scored in 18 games.

Hope, who grew up in Peterborough, Ontario, notched six assists this summer playing for his hometown Lakers.

"I like it," said the 23-year-old, referring to the Mammoth burgundy jersey. "I played in Peterborough...so I grew up wearing burgundy...It looks good!"

But the Mammoth wasn't done. Colorado, which gave up its second-round selection this year and next to Edmonton, got back in the second round by trading the rights to defenseman Mike McNamara for the 17th-overall selection. The Mammoth, which had already drafted the top-rated left-hander and top-rated defenseman, used the pick to draft the top-rated goaltender: Alex Buque.

The New Westminster Salmonbellies (Western Lacrosse Association) netminder boasted an .820 save percentage and a 7.90 goals-against-average this summer. In 2013, Buque was the Ontario Lacrosse Association's "˜Jr. A' top goalie and led the Whitby Warriors to the Minto Cup.

Colorado selected defenseman and California native Zach Rogers (Providence College) in the fourth round. In the fifth round, the Mammoth drafted DJ Giacobbo (Canisius College) and University of Denver Pioneer Terry Ellis. Air Force Falcon Mike Crampton was taken in the sixth.

The Mammoth opens the 2015 season, its 13th in the National Lacrosse League, in January.


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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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