Copperheads Clean up at 2012 NALL National Draft
Published on December 12, 2011 under North American Lacrosse League (NALL)
Charlotte Copperheads News Release
The Charlotte Copperheads have announced a total of 16 draft picks coming out of the 2012 North American Lacrosse League National Draft. Team management left the draft with the core of the Copperheads squad established, featuring several local Charlotte players, a number of NCAA standouts as well as proven, head-turning, MLL and NLL veterans.
"We are extremely happy with our picks, having secured an optimal mix of promising and proven talent to form the foundation of our 2012 squad," says Head Coach Tom Ryan, "and they all fit our model for fast, hard-nosed indoor lacrosse. We can't wait to bring the game to fans in Charlotte."
The Charlotte Copperheads selected the following lacrosse standouts and local players to their professional indoor roster during the NALL National Draft:
Greg Rogowski, a standout player from Cohoes, NY, was the leading scorer for the US Indoor Team at the 2010 and 2011 Bowhunter Cups. Rogowski played his college lacrosse at Merrimack College, where he was the first player to be named a Division 2 All-American in all four years at the school. As the third highest scorer in NCAA Division 2 lacrosse, Rogowski is sure to find the net with regularity for the Copperheads.
Matt Smalley, a 2009 Hobart College graduate, joins the Copperheads after two seasons in Major League Lacrosse with the Boston Cannons. Smalley, a midfielder, was named All ECAC 2nd Team at Hobart, and was drafted by the Cannons for his ground ball skills, for which he is the All Time leader at Hobart. A native of Rhode Island, Smalley was a key component for the Boston Cannons during their 2011 Championship season. Smalley will bring his tenacity and work ethic to the Copperheads for the 2012 NALL season.
Brett Queener, from the University of Albany, joins the Copperheads with an honor-studded lacrosse resume. Born into a lacrosse family, Queener was a goalie through his career at Albany, where he led the America East Conference in saves and earned first-team All-American honors. Renowned for his unorthodox and effective playing style, Queener will step out of the cage and play transition for his professional indoor lacrosse career. Having led the Rochester Rattlers to a Major League Lacrosse title, he was named to the MLL All-Star game. Queener, who began his indoor lacrosse career with the Boston Blazers, was named "Lacrosse Personality of the Year" by Inside Lacrosse Magazine, brings his unique personality and brand of lacrosse to the Queen City with the Copperheads.
The Copperheads have also tapped into the local lacrosse community with the signing of the following athletes:
Spencer Wims joins the Copperheads after a stellar career at Limestone College where he was named the College's Mens Athlete of the Year after leading the team to a 15-2 regular season. The defenseman from Waltham, MA led the team to a consistent national #1 ranking and was twice named a Division 2 First-Team All American for the Saints. Wims will add his strength on defense for the Copperheads, and will be a formidable force for opponents throughout the team's inaugural season.
Nick Desper, a Chapel Hill, NC native, is a 2011 graduate of the storied Syracuse University lacrosse team. The 6' 1" midfielder returns to North Carolina and joins the Copperheads in the NALL. Desper was a two-time US lacrosse All-American in high school, and now brings his national tournament experience to the Copperheads.
Kevin Iwanusa, was a 2X All American and offensive standout at Pfeiffer University. Iwanusa has recently been heavily involved in coaching lacrosse within the Charlotte community. Kevin has coached at Pfeiffer, Wingate, Weddington High School and most recently Queens University of Charlotte. The Copperheads will look to Kevin for senior leadership on the offensive side of the ball this upcoming season.
Greg Watterson, a graduate of Wingate University, he was a two time Deep South All-Conference Defender and a member of the All Time Wingate Lacrosse Team. Watterson has also worked with many lacrosse programs in the Charlotte area. Greg has coached at Weddington Middle School, Wingate, Team Charlotte, North Mecklenberg High School, and most recently Lake Norman High School. Watterson will be a nice addition of size and strength on the defensive end for the Copperheads during their inaugural season.
The Charlotte Copperheads will bring the NALL's high-pace, high-impact indoor lacrosse to the Charlotte community at Bojangles' Coliseum. The professional indoor lacrosse team's 2012 season will kick off on January 21, 2012 with a road trip to the Kentucky Stickhorses of Louisville. The Copperheads first home game at Bojangles' Coliseum will be against the Hershey (PA) Haymakers on January 28, 2012. The NALL season runs until April 12th, with playoffs and NALL Championship to follow.
North American Lacrosse League Stories from December 12, 2011
- Copperheads Clean up at 2012 NALL National Draft - Charlotte Copperheads
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