Hamilton Takes a Tiger in First Round of MLL Collegiate Draft
Published on January 13, 2012 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Hamilton Nationals News Release
(Hamilton)... The Hamilton Nationals selected defenseman Chad Wiedmaier from Princeton University with the seven overall pick tonight at the 2012 Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft.
"We are very pleased that Chad was available at No. 7," said Nationals General Manager Jody Gage. "You take the best player available and defense was the biggest hole that we wanted to fill."
Wiedmaier, 21, is a three-time All-American and a three-time All-Ivy selection. The Chatham, NJ, native is trying to become the first Princeton player ever to earn First Team All-Ivy League four times. As a testament to his defensive ability, he has played against Cornell's Rob Pannell, the Division I Player of the Year and the No. 1 overall pick tonight, five times and has held him to four goals on 44 shots.
The Nationals picked midfielder Jake Bernhardt from the University of Maryland with the 12th overall pick (second round). In 51 games with the Terps, he scored 32 goals and added seven assists. Bernhardt netted one goal against Virginia in the 2011 NCAA championship. In 2010, he was the winner of the William Cole Award as the team's best overall midfielder.
In the third round, Hamilton took attackman Jack McBride with 23rd overall pick. The Madison, NJ, native transferred to the University of North Carolina after finishing his Princeton career with 90 goals and 25 assists for 115 points. He ended his Princeton career 15th in goals and 21st in points. McBride was a two-time All-Ivy League selection and a two-time All-American.
In the fourth round (31st overall), the Nationals drafted their second defenseman by selecting Matt Lovejoy from the University of Virginia. He has appeared in 41 games for the Cavaliers and recorded 59 ground balls. The native of Orford, NH, was a member of Virginia's 2011 national championship team.
The Nationals have four more picks tonight in the eight-round draft.
The Draft is being streamed on the MLL Website, majorleaguelacrosse.com, live from the Marriott Liberty Ballroom in Philadelphia. This evening, the 12th Collegiate Draft in MLL history headlines the 2012 US Lacrosse National Convention. The Long Island Lizards opened the draft by taking Pannell from Cornell University first overall.
The Nats head into the 2012 season after an impressive 2011 campaign that landed the team in the league Finals. After finishing with a 7-5 record, Hamilton knocked off Denver to advance to the MLL title game, but fell one goal shy to the Boston Cannons, 10-9.
The Nationals will open the 2012 season against the Denver Outlaws, on Saturday, May 5th at INVESCO Field at Mile High. Hamilton makes its home debut on Friday, May 18th with an 11:00 a.m. contest against the Chesapeake Bayhawks at Ron Joyce Stadium at McMaster University. For ticket information, contact the Nationals Ticket Office at (905) 768-2225.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from January 13, 2012
- Boston Cannons Bolster Attack and Defense in 2012 Collegiate Draft - Boston Cannons
- Hamilton Takes a Tiger in First Round - Hamilton Nationals
- BayHawks Strengthen Transition Game with Costabile as First Pick - Chesapeake Bayhawks
- Hamilton Takes a Tiger in First Round of MLL Collegiate Draft - Hamilton Nationals
- Nationals' Draft Day Memories - Hamilton Nationals
- MLL Collegiate Draft Hours Away - MLL
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