Ignition roster takes shape during MISL expansion draft
Published on June 20, 2006 under Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Detroit Ignition News Release
(Southfield, Mich., June 20, 2006) - The Detroit Ignition of the Major Indoor Soccer League has announced the selection of 16 players chosen during the 2006 MISL Expansion Draft, which was held via teleconference on Tuesday. The Ignition selected players from eight different countries consisting of two goalkeepers and 14 field players as the club continues to assemble an inaugural season roster. The first-year side also chose two Michigan natives in Ryan Mack (pick 12) and Droo Callahan (pick 14).
With their first selection, the Ignition tabbed the Baltimore Blast goalkeeper Sanaldo who minded the net in last season's Major Indoor Soccer League Championship Series, leading Baltimore to the 2005-06 MISL Championship. Detroit followed by acquiring the rights to professional indoor soccer veteran forwards Ricardinho (California Cougars), and Hewerton Moreira (Milwaukee Wave) as well as defender Matt Johnson (Chicago Storm) and 2005-06 MISL assist leader Carlos Farias (St. Louis).
"I'm very pleased with the quality of players we were able to acquire through the expansion draft process," Ignition President Greg Bibb stated. "I think our draft results speak volumes about the depth of player talent currently in the Major Indoor Soccer League. I'm excited to begin the process of bringing these individuals to Detroit and welcoming them into the Ignition family. Today's event signifies another major milestone in our march to our inaugural game."
To complete the team's first ten selections, the Ignition obtained forward Joel Bailey (Baltimore Blast), defender Jonathon Greenfield (Milwaukee Wave), former All-Star and veteran netminder Jim Larkin (California Cougars), forward Joey Gjersten (St. Louis and Vancouver Whitecaps of the USL First Division), as well as target player Don D'Ambra (Philadelphia Kixx). The Ignition's final six selections consisted of midfielder Ze Roberto who most recently competed in the MISL for the KiXX in 2004-05, the former Indiana University midfield standout Mack (Philadelphia Kixx), All-Star midfielder Novica "Novi" Marojevic (Chicago Storm), the veteran defender Callahan (St. Louis), midfielder Kyt Selaidopoulos (Milwaukee Wave), and midfielder Carlos Garcia (Baltimore Blast).
"I feel very positive about our draft results," Ignition Head Coach Mark Pulisic stated. "We drafted on talent first and by positional need second, and I think we accomplished our goals in both areas. I am eager to see how this draft translates once we take the field for training camp in October."
About the MISL Expansion Draft:
In order to prepare for the draft, the Ignition received Designation Lists from each of the MISL member clubs on June 6. Team lists designated a maximum of nine (9) players as "protected" for that team's roster (maximum of one (1) goalkeeper) for the 2006-07 MISL Season.
The six current MISL teams were eligible to lose a maximum of three (3) players during the 2006 Expansion Draft. Once a player was selected from a team, that team was then able to return one (1) unprotected player to their protected Designation List. In order to ensure the validity of the Designation Lists, a "trade moratorium" was imposed by the league office 14 days prior to the Expansion Draft (June 6) and ended immediately following the conclusion of the Expansion Draft.
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from June 20, 2006
- Detroit Ignition Select 16 Players in MISL Detroit Expansion Draft - MISL 2
- Ignition roster takes shape during MISL expansion draft - Detroit Ignition
- Three members of Wave selected in 2006 expansion draft - Milwaukee Wave
- Three KiXX Members Selected by Detroit Ignition in 2006 MISL Expansion Draft - Philadelphia KiXX
- Blast loses three players in expansion draft - Baltimore Blast
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