Outlaws Trade for Defenseman Max Schmidt, Add Eight in 2015 MLL Collegiate Draft
January 23, 2015 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Denver Outlaws News Release
BALTIMORE -The 2014 MLL Champion Denver Outlaws drafted eight players in the 2015 Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft Friday night and traded their third-round pick for Ohio Machine defenseman Max Schmidt.
"We're excited about the players we drafted tonight in addition to our trade with Ohio for Schmidt, who brings some defensive depth for us," Head Coach B.J. O'Hara said. "We look forward to cutting down our roster and getting the 2015 season started."
General Manager Tony Seaman and the Outlaws opened up the 2015 MLL Collegiate Draft with the selection of Nikko Pontrello, an attackman out of Loyola (Md.), as their first-round pick (8th overall). Pontrello started all 17 games for the Greyhounds in 2014 and finished the season with a team-high 51 goals and 12 assists for a total of 63 points.
In the second round Denver picked up another attackman with its selection of Wesley Berg (15th overall) from the University of Denver. Berg has played in 54 career games with the Pioneers and already ranks second in school history for career points (177) and goals (130).
"He is one of the most powerful lacrosse players I have had the honor of coaching in over thirty-three years of my collegiate lacrosse tenure. More importantly however, Wes is an amazing leader, has a team-first attitude, and is one of the most hard-working young men I have ever been around," said DU Head Coach Bill Tierney.
Denver traded its third-round (22nd overall) pick to the Ohio Machine for defenseman Max Schmidt. Schmidt saw action in 37 games during his first three MLL seasons-all with Ohio-and led the team for most games played. He was a four-year starter at the University of Maryland and was a member of the Terps team that played in the 2011 NCAA Championship.
The Outlaws picked up another Denver Pioneer with their fourth-round (30th overall) pick of defenseman Carson Cannon, an Inside Lacrosse 2015 Preseason All-America Honorable Mention.
"He has consistently been one of the best cover guys in the country and seems to always make a big play, at the most opportune moments," said Tierney. "I am confident Carson will continue to surprise his professional coaches with his ability, attitude, and competitiveness."
Denver selected its third attackman of the evening with its fifth-round (38th overall) selection of Dan Taylor from Lehigh University and finished out the draft by adding four midfielders to the roster-Mike Richards (Penn State, 45th overall), David Dickson (Bucknell University, 48th overall), Joe McCallion (UPenn, 52nd overall) and Nick Osello (Notre Dame, 60th overall).
The Outlaws will hold open tryouts on March 7 and host training camp prior to the April 6 deadline for cuts for the final 25-man active roster.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from January 23, 2015
- Outlaws Trade for Defenseman Max Schmidt, Add Eight in 2015 MLL Collegiate Draft - Denver Outlaws
- 2015 MLL Collegiate Draft Recap - New York Lizards
- Hounds Bolster Midfield, Attack Units in Collegiate Draft - Charlotte Hounds
- Cannons Add Six in 2015 MLL Collegiate Draft - Boston Cannons
- NCAA Lacrosse Player Drafted to Florida Launch - Florida Launch
- Machine Selects Seven Players in 2015 Major League Lacrosse - Ohio Machine
- MLL Announces 2015 Special Events - MLL
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