Rock acquire Tyler Gibbons in 2005 NLL Entry Draft
August 29, 2005 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Toronto Rock News Release
TORONTO - The Toronto Rock selected forward Tyler Gibbons with their first pick in the 2005 NLL Entry Draft (second round, 15th overall) held at the Rexall Centre in Edmonton Monday night.
Gibbons was one of eight players selected by the Rock who also picked transition players Nathan Gilchrist, Chad Monroe and Sean Felstead, forwards Chet Koneczny, Nick Inch and Ben Powless and defender Travis Gault.
In 20 junior games last year, Gibbons had 39 goals and 36 assists, along with 68 penalty minutes.
"The kid looks like he deserves a shot here," said Rock head coach and GM Terry Sanderson. "He's not a big guy but some of the things he does, it's character stuff that I like to look for in a kid. That's really important."
Gibbons is 5'10", 170 lbs and played for three teams this season including the Owen Sound Sr. B Woodsmen coached by Sanderson and Rock assistant John Lovell and the Orangeville Northmen Jr. A team coached by Rock assistant Matt Sawyer.
"Tyler's one of the kids we had pegged at that position that we were hoping for. We were fortunate we were able to get him."
Overall, Sanderson said he is pleased with the draft results.
"It went much like we wanted to. Two of the three kids we were really hoping we were able to get. So we're pleased."
Gilchrist, the Rock's second pick in the draft (third round, 23rd) is currently playing with the Six Nations Arrows at the Minto Cup Jr. A national championship in Edmonton.
"He's a defensive player with a great scoring touch," said Rock assistant coach Matt Sawyer. "He's got big game experience as well, so we're happy about that."
"Gilchrist has character written all over him," added Sanderson.
Brodie Merrill, brother of Rock defender Patrick, was selected first overall by the Portland Lumberjax.
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National Lacrosse League Stories from August 29, 2005
- Riggers accumulate first round picks - Calgary Roughnecks
- Rock acquire Tyler Gibbons in 2005 NLL Entry Draft - Toronto Rock
- Roughnecks trade Brad MacDonald to Toronto - Calgary Roughnecks
- Sting draft five players in 2005 NLL Entry Draft - Arizona Sting
- Bandits address offensive needs through 2005 NLL Entry Draft - Buffalo Bandits
- Minnesota Swarm selects five players in 2005 NLL Entry Draft - Minnesota Swarm
- Wings select three players in first round of National Lacrosse League Entry Draft - Philadelphia Wings
- Mammoth makes Carey first-round pick - Colorado Mammoth
- Lumberjax select Brodie Merrill with first overall pick - Portland Lumberjax
- Merrill selected first overall by Portland in NLL entry draft - NLL
- Rock acquires young defender in trade with Roughnecks - Toronto Rock
- NLL entry draft tonight - NLL
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