NLL Toronto Rock

Rock Prepares for 2005 Entry Draft

Published on August 24, 2005 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Toronto Rock News Release


EDMONTON - The 2005 NLL Entry Draft will take place at the Rexall Centre in Edmonton next Monday, Aug. 29 at 8 p.m. EST. Fans and media can follow the draft live through an audio feed and live scrolling updates available at www.nll.com.

The Rock's first selection is 15th overall (second round) in what lacrosse analysts are calling a very deep and talented draft year.

After losing forwards Sandy Chapman and Jimmy Quinlan and defenders Luke Forget to a series of expansion draft and free agency transactions over the summer, Rock head coach and GM Terry Sanderson said a drafted player has a better chance of making a pro squad this season.

"We should get a decent player with our pick 15th overall and depending on who's left that player might be someone who can make our roster in their first year," Sanderson said. "After losing the starters we did, there's a better chance this year for that to happen. There's a lot of good talent out there."

Top prospects in this year's draft include Brodie Merrill, a stud from Orangeville, Ont., and brother of Rock defenceman Patrick Merrill. Brodie Merrill played at Georgetown on an NCAA scholarship and was named the professional field lacrosse rookie of the year in the Major League Lacrosse with the Baltimore Bayhawks. Other top talent available includes Peterborough junior star Shawn Evans (younger brother of pros Steve and Scott Evans), Orillia's Luke Wiles, St. Catharines' forward Sean Greenhalgh and goalie Matt Vinc, Victoria Shamrocks sparkplug Nolan Heavenor, Ottawa natives Callum Crawford and Jeff Zywicki and Burnaby's Matt Brown.

Toronto has six picks in the entry draft - 15, 32, 33, 44, 55 and 67. Last year, the Rock took Jeff Summerfield with their first pick (2nd Round, 16th overall), while the Buffalo Bandits selected Six Nations forward Delby Powless first overall.

The five-time champion Rock will begin defence of the Champion's Cup title in January 2006. A schedule will be finalized in the fall.

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National Lacrosse League Stories from August 24, 2005


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