Atlanta Blaze Pick Second in Wednesday's Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft
April 17, 2018 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Atlanta Blaze News Release
Sparks, Maryland - The Atlanta Blaze professional outdoor lacrosse team, which opens its 2018 regular season Sunday, April 22 at 2 p.m. at Kennesaw State University's Fifth Third Bank Stadium, will pick second overall in the Major League Lacrosse (MLL) Collegiate Draft presented by Cascade. The draft, held for the first time at US Lacrosse Headquarters, Sparks, MD, will be broadcast live for free on Lax Sports Network, laxsportsnetwork.com, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
In addition to the second selection, the Atlanta Blaze have the 10th, 20th, 32nd, 38th, 40th, 47th, 51st, and 56thpicks in the seven scheduled rounds of the draft.
Atlanta Blaze president, Jim Pfeifer, who will be present at the draft with head coach Liam Banks and general manager Spencer Ford, said the team is optimistic about the players eligible to be selected.
"It's an exciting time for the organization, particularly coming out of training camp with such great energy and positivity," Pfeifer said. "Knowing that we will be able to add some of the best players in the nation to our roster gives us cause for even greater enthusiasm heading into this season."
Banks, a graduate of Syracuse, was a 7th-round pick in the 2004 MLL draft by the Bridgeport Barrage. He expects the draft to represent the philosophies of the new era of the Atlanta Blaze.
"We will look for players who are able to commit to the 14-game MLL schedule, who are focused on being a professional, and are committed to being a solid representative for the Blaze and the Atlanta lacrosse community," Banks said. "The draft is loaded with talent and we look forward to giving some of the players we select the opportunity to compete for spots on our 19-man game-day roster."
Ford, who still holds the MLL record for assists in a season for the L.A. Riptide in 2007, said he will look for players of high character and passion.
"In the MLL draft, of course we want the most talented players available in the NCAA. We will look for players that meet our high standards, who are passionate about furthering their lacrosse career and are interested in representing the Atlanta Blaze," Ford said. "This league has the very best players in the world, and some of the players in this year's draft will fit in nicely with the group."
The Atlanta Blaze will kick off the 2018 season with their home season opener, Sunday, April 22 at 2 p.m. All Atlanta Blaze home games are played at Fifth Third Bank Stadium on the campus of Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, GA. Single-game tickets are on sale now at AtlantaBlaze.com/Tickets
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