Atlanta Blaze Complete 2016 MLL Collegiate Draft
Published on January 22, 2016 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Atlanta Blaze News Release
The Atlanta Blaze participated in today's 2016 Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft which was held in Baltimore, Maryland. As an expansion franchise, the Blaze held the first overall pick
in this year's draft. With that pick the Blaze selected MYLES JONES of Duke University.
Prior to the start of the 2016 Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft, the Atlanta Blaze executed a trade with the Boston Cannons. The Blaze acquired Defenseman and Marrietta (GA) native Scott Ratliff from the Cannons along with the #15 overall pick in the 2016 MLL Draft and a third-round pick in the 2017 MLL Supplemental Draft. In exchange, the Blaze send Defenseman Brodie Merrill, mid-fielder Mike Pellegrino, mid-fielder Justin Turri and their first round pick in the 2017 Collegiate Draft to the Cannons.
The Blaze also added several talented collegiate players to their existing roster which they selected during the MLL Expansion Draft which took place in November, 2015.
Jones, a 6'5", 240 pound senior midfielder, was the Donald MacLaughlin Jr. Award winner as the nation's top midfielder in 2015. He was also a first-team USILA All-America selection.
Jones led the Blue Devils in scoring with 77 points (40 goals/37 assists) and led all midfielders nationally in scoring and ranked fourth overall in points per game (4.28). His 77 points are the most by a midfielder in Duke single-season history and he ranks 11th on Duke's all-time list.
In addition to Jones, the Blaze selected the following:
Round one (pick #1 overall): Myles Jones, Duke University, senior, midfielder, 6'5", 240 lbs.
Round two (#10): Deemer Class, Duke University, senior, midfielder, 5'11", 200 lbs.
Round two (#15 - from Boston Cannons): Tyler Albrecht, Loyola University (MD), senior, midfielder, 6'1", 185 lbs.
Round three (#19): Greg Danseglio, University of Maryland, senior, defenseman, 6'0", 185 lbs.
Round five (#36): Warren Hill, Syracuse University, senior, goalie, 5'11", 200 lbs.
Round seven (#53): Case Matheis, Duke University, senior, attack, 5'7", 165 lbs.
"Today the Atlanta Blaze added some great collegiate talent to our existing roster as we prepare for our inaugural season in Atlanta" said team owner Peter Trematerra. Â "Myles Jones was a unanimous choice for our number one pick. At the same time we were able to add a player like Scott Ratliff to our team is a huge boost to the squad as well as the entire Atlanta community."
"Today we were able to fill some needs while adding some outstanding talent to our team" said Atlanta Blaze Head Coach John Tucker. "Myles Jones will be a force as a midfielder and anytime you can add one of the best defenseman in the League to your squad is only an upgrade."
Major League Lacrosse Stories from January 22, 2016
- Machine Select 10 Players in Collegiate Draft - Ohio Machine
- Hounds Focus on Attack, Midfield in 2016 Collegiate Draft - Charlotte Hounds
- Atlanta Blaze Complete 2016 MLL Collegiate Draft - Atlanta Blaze
- Atlanta Blaze Acquires Scott Ratliff in Draft Trade - Atlanta Blaze
- Atlanta Blaze Choses Myles Jones as First Ever - Atlanta Blaze
- Major League Lacrosse Draft Rescheduled to 2pm EST Start Today Due to Inclement Weather... - MLL
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