Toronto Rock Pick Six in NLL 2004 Entry Draft
October 26, 2004 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Toronto Rock News Release
The 2004 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft took place via conference call on Tuesday October 26, 2004. The League's eleven member clubs drafted a total of 66 players from across North America. As expected the Buffalo Bandits took top prospect Delby Powless (Rutgers) from Hagersville, ON, first overall in the draft.
The Toronto Rock did not pick until the 2nd round (18th overall); unlike the last few years when the Rock have had at least 1 top 10 draft pick in the first round (with the exception of 2001 when the 12th overall selection was the first for the team).
"There might be a couple of diamonds in the rough out there but when you're drafting that late, luck can play a part in it" said Terry Sanderson, Rock Head Coach and GM in an interview before today's draft.
Luck or not, the Toronto Rock did pick 6 talented Canadian hopefuls in this year's draft.
In the second round, 16th overall, the Rock took Brampton Jr. A Excelsiors defenseman Jeff Summerfield. In 2004, Summerfield was the recipient of the John "Gus" McAuley Memorial Award for Best Defenseman; having been awarded for his consistent defense over the course of the regular season. In 20 games, Summerfield tallied 10 points on 2 goals and 8 assists and served 53 penalty minutes.
During the second round, the Rock had two picks; Andrew Burkholder (22nd overall) and Donovan Ruesen (27th overall). Both young men played for the Ontario Lacrosse Association Spartan Jr. B Warriors. Burkholder, an offensive force, ranked 2nd overall in OLA Jr. B point standing and was the 2nd overall leading goal scorer (54) in OLA Jr. B lacrosse. He finished the regular season (20 games) with 97 points on 54 goals and 43 assists and served 44 penalty minutes. Ruesen is the complete opposite to Burkholder, with his strength being the defensive end of the spectrum. He played in 19 regular season games; finishing with 18 points on 6 goals and 12 assists, and having served 46 minutes in penalties.
Other Rock picks included David Campbell (Whitby), Kris Bryan (Orangeville) and Jordan Bosomworth (Elora). A complete list of draft picks can be viewed at www.nll.com.
National Lacrosse League Stories from October 26, 2004
- Toronto Rock Pick Six in NLL 2004 Entry Draft - Toronto Rock
- Bandits Select Powless First Overall - Buffalo Bandits
- Minnesota Swarm Selects Four Players in 2004 NLL Entry Draft - Minnesota Swarm
- Powless Chosen #1 - Buffalo Bandits
- Rochester acquires Accursi in trade with Minnesota - Rochester Knighthawks
- NLL Entry Draft Completed; Powless Chosen #1 - NLL
- Minnesota Swarm acquires forward Derek Malawsky, defenseman Brock Robertson and forward D'Arcy Sweet - Minnesota Swarm
- Anaheim Storm Strikes Trade With Minnesota Swarm - Anaheim Storm
- Langtry, Sims lead list of six Mammoth signees - Colorado Mammoth
- Minnesota Swarm Acquires G Matt Disher and D Teddy Jenner From Anaheim - Minnesota Swarm
- Toronto Rock to Host Season Kickoff Party - Toronto Rock
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