Knighthawks Select Cody Jamieson with First Overall Pick in 2010 NLL Draft
Published on September 8, 2010 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release
(Rochester, NY)... The Rochester Knighthawks selected Syracuse University and Six Nations forward Cody Jamieson with the first overall pick in today's 2010 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft at Toronto's Westin Harbour Castle. Jamieson becomes the fifth Knighthawk to be selected first overall and second in as many years, joining longtime teammate and close friend Sid Smith (2009), perennial NLL All-Star John Grant Jr. (2000), Casey Powell (1999) and Cam Bomberry (1995). The pick was one of three first-round selections for the Knighthawks.
Knighthawks Owner and General Manager Curt Styres and NLL legend Gary Gait appropriately handed Jamieson the No. 22 jersey. Gait wore No. 22 the past two seasons with Rochester and wore the number at Syracuse University. Jamieson wore the storied number at SU in 2010 and now appears ready to wear the number with Rochester.
"It is a dream come true, finally," said Jamieson, who was surrounded by a dozen family members including Uncle Curt Styres. "Every kid growing up wants to be a pro athlete and I have been thinking about this day for a long time."
Jamieson joins the Knighthawks after completing his senior season in 2010 at Syracuse University, scoring 28 goals while adding 13 assists for 41 points to finish second on the Orange in scoring while appearing in all 15 games. A native of Six Nations, Ontario, Jamieson had a season to remember in 2009, connecting with Sid Smith to score the overtime game-winning goal to lift SU to its second consecutive National championship and fifth in the last 10 years.
Prior to his tenure with the Orange, the 5-foot-10, 200-pound forward spent two seasons (2006-07) with Onondaga Community College, leading the Lazers to back-to-back NJCAA national championships and a combined record of 33-0. During the 2007 season, Jamieson led the nation in points (116), goals (65) and assists (51) en route to earning the David Rowlands Award as the NJCAA Male Student-Athlete of the Year. For his efforts, he was also voted the 2007 Mid-State Athletic Conference Player of the Year, the Region III Player of the Year, an NJCAA first-team All-American and the NJCAA Offensive Player of the Year. If that wasn't enough, Jamieson netted a team-high nine goals in the national title game against Nassau Community College on his way to winning game MVP honors for the second straight year.
A 2010 second-round draft pick of Major League Lacrosse's Toronto Nationals, Jamieson also plays summer ball for his hometown Six Nation Chiefs in the Ontario Lacrosse Association Major Series. This past summer, Jamieson finished second on the team and fifth in the league with 62 points (28+34) in 15 games. He posted his best season in the MSL in 2009, being named the winner of the Jim Murphy Award as the league's MVP, the Gene Dopp Award as outstanding rookie and the Buck McDonald Award as the league's top scorer with 48 goals and 48 assists for a league-best 96 points. The campaign marked the first time in MSL history anyone won all three awards in the same season.
With its second pick, Rochester claimed midfielder Jarret Davis out of Bellarmine University. Davis recently completed his senior season with the Knights, averaging over a point per game with five goals and 12 assists for 17 points in 15 games. In 2009, Davis led the Knights with a team-best 14 assists after being named team MVP for the 2008 season. Before joining Bellarmine, Davis won back-to-back high school championships in 2004 and 2005, earning team MVP and Rookie of the Year honors in 2004 and provincial MVP honors both seasons.
Rochester tabbed senior attackman Ryan McClelland out of Colgate University with its third overall selection. McLelland, a 6-foot-3, 175-pound Brampton, Ontario, native closed out a four-year career with the Red Raiders in 2010, appearing in just eight games. In 41 career games with Colgate University, McClelland scored four goals and one assist for five points. An integral part of the Raiders' defensive midfield unit, McClelland posted his best season in 2008, scoring a career-best three goals and scooping up 22 ground balls. During the summer months, McClelland suits up for Mike Hasen's Brampton Excelsiors in the MSL. In 11 games for his hometown Brampton squad this past summer, he recorded 12 points (7+5) in addition to contributing six points (2+4) in six postseason contests to lead the Excelsiors into the MSL Finals. On the international pitch, McLelland represented his country at the 2010 FIL championships, earning a silver medal with Team Canada.
The Knighthawks used their second-round pick to take transition man Josh Ruys from the Burlington Chiefs Junior "A" circuit. An Oakville, Ontario, native Ruys notched his best season in 2009, capturing career-high in goals (15), points (21) and games played (16). In two seasons with the Chiefs, Ruys has compiled 34 points (20+14) in 29 total games. He also tallied 34 points (20+14) in 18 career playoff contests. The 20-year-old Ruys is also an avid hockey player, having recorded 23 points (16+7) over the last two seasons with the Brampton Capitals of the OPJHL.
In the third-round, the Knighthawks returned to the Junior "A" circuit to claim to defenseman Scott Johnston out of Burlington. A teammate of Ruys with the Chiefs, the 21-year-old Oakville, Ontario, native completed his fifth season with the team this past summer, collecting 17 points (7+10) and a career-high 59 penalty minutes in 22 appearances. His best offensive season with the Chiefs came in 2009 when he scored eight goals and added 12 assists to finish fifth among team transition players in scoring. In 97 career games with the Chiefs, the 5-11,190-pound defender has notched 72 points (34+38) and 187 penalty minutes.
With their final pick of the night, the Knighthawks tabbed transition man Marty Hill from the Six Nations Junior "A" Arrows. This past summer, Hill completed his second season with Six Nations, capturing career-highs in all offensive categories in goals (21), assists (26), points (47), penalty minutes (10) and games played (20) to finish fourth on the team in scoring. His 47 points were also the second most among team transition players. He continued his offensive output in the 2010 postseason, finishing sixth on the team with 18 points (10+8) in seven games.
The Knighthawks open their 17th season on Saturday, January 8thin Minnesota against the West Division Minnesota Swarm. The Knighthawks will open the home portion of their schedule on Saturday, January 15th against the Toronto Rock at 7:35 p.m. at The Blue Cross Arena at the Rochester War Memorial.
National Lacrosse League Stories from September 8, 2010
- Minnesota Swarm Selects Andrew Suitor Fourth, Also Adds Local Star - Minnesota Swarm
- Washington Stealth Add Four Players in NLL Entry Draft - Washington Stealth
- Roughnecks Gain Seven Strong Rookies from 2010 NLL Entry Draft - Calgary Roughnecks
- Toronto Rock Acquire Eight in 2010 NLL Entry Draft - Toronto Rock
- Mammoth Beefs up Roster Through 2010 Entry Draft - Colorado Mammoth
- Knighthawks Select Cody Jamieson with First Overall Pick in 2010 NLL Draft - Rochester Knighthawks
- Rochester Takes Cody Jamieson First Overall - Rochester Knighthawks
- Minnesota Swarm Hold the Fourth Pick in Tonight's NLL Draft - Minnesota Swarm
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