Dragons Score Big in 2007 Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft

June 1, 2007 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
San Francisco Dragons News Release


Stony Brook, NY- On a pleasant spring afternoon at the Stony Brook University campus immediately following the Warrior Major League Challenge, the San Francisco Dragons emerged with a supremely talented (though small in numbers) draft class. General Manager Doug Locker and Head Coach Brian Silcott were faced with many difficult decisions, given the fact that the Dragons surrendered numerous 2007 draft picks in order to acquire MLL standout Ryan Powell and other players for their 2006 inaugural season. The NCAA's recent decision to grant 33 non-seniors from the 2006 Duke lacrosse team a fifth year of eligibility also led to last second scrambling on the part of many MLL teams, as a large group of prospective draft picks committed themselves to another year of collegiate lacrosse.

The Dragons first pick (2nd round, 16th overall pick, acquired from the Los Angeles Riptide) was Colin Hulme, a Colgate product who was a United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association All-American honorable mention as a senior. ESPN lacrosse analyst and former John Hopkins All-American goalie says Hulme is "a ball-clearing powerhouse...whose style is solid... for a close defenseman he has exceptional north/south speed." In addition to his All-American status, he was named the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year. The Framingham, Massachusetts product scooped up 50 groundballs, which paced Patriot League defensemen. He led a resurgence of the Raiders' defense, which allowed just 8.31 goals per game this season and ranked 20th in the nation in scoring defense. He was selected to play in the 2007 USILA North-South classic. Second year head coach Brian Silcott said, "We need a cover, close d[efenseman]. When we were watching him at the scouting combine, we determined he was one of the top three defenseman available in the draft. We were thrilled when he was available with at that point in the draft."

Silcott and Locker had their work cut out for them, as they were immediately back on the clock for the 18th pick of the draft, acquired from the Boston Cannons. The Dragons' delegates used their 2nd pick of the 2nd round on Jake Byrne, three days off of his national championship with the John Hopkins University Blue Jays. The standout attackman was a three time USILA All-American. He scored 4 goals and added an assist in the 2007 national championship game, in which Hopkins held off Duke 12-11 in an exceptional game. Silcott said that "Byrne can flat out shoot the ball. His performance in the national championship game was exceptional, and I think he'll be a great asset to the team."

The Dragons' next pick was the 37th overall pick. San Francisco used their fourth round pick to bolster their defense by selecting defenseman Chris Heier of Salisbury State University. Heier had a brilliant senior campaign as he led Salisbury to the NCAA Division III National Championship, and was named a first team All-American. Of the 6'4", 205 lb. Fallston, Maryland native, Silcott said, " We've had great success with division II and III players. Look at Eric Martin [a 2004 graduate of Salisbury State and starting defenseman for San Francisco] for example. He was clearly the best player available in the draft at that point."

The Dragons' final pick of the 2007 draft was midfielder Andrew Recchione, who they scooped up with the 47th overall pick in the 5th round. This University of Massachusetts product was a stellar team player in his college days, and he possesses a tremendous shot, especially on the run. He seems to score the big goals, including a fourth-quarter goal in a win over #12 Syracuse on April 28th, and a second-half goal against #6 Georgetown on April 21st. He finished the 2007 campaign with 12 goals and 5 assists for the Minutemen, and tallied a hat trick at Fairfield on April 24th. Coach Silcott was "surprised he was still available. He reminds me of [Dragons' midfielder] Tom Zummo. He has a low center of gravity and good acceleration. He has the potential to be a solid two way middie in the MLL."

The Dragons made a big splash on draft day when they traded attackman Joe Yevoli for fellow Syracuse product and New Jersey captain Liam Banks. Of the trade, Coach Silcott said, "We've been pursuing Banks since day one, when the franchise began and Doug Locker came aboard. Liam and [Dragons' offensive star] Ryan Powell played together at Syracuse, and watching them play together should be very exciting for our fans. Joe Yevoli had a stellar rookie season for us, but it was getting harder and harder for him to get out here [geographically speaking]. I think this should be a very good opportunity for both players." Banks is entering his fourth season of MLL play; he has previously played for the Philadelphia Barrage and New Jersey Pride.

The Dragons look to even their 2007 record at .500 with a victory at home this Saturday, June 2nd at 2:30 P.M. against the visiting Long Island Lizards, who won the MLL championship in 2003 and 2005. The Dragons are coming off a season opening 21-14 loss at Denver, while the Lizards are coming off of a 16-12 defeat of the Boston Cannons in their home opener.



Major League Lacrosse Stories from June 1, 2007


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