Roughnecks ponder options in NLL draft Local lacrosse club looks to boost left side with its eight selections
Calgary Roughnecks’ general manager Mike Board headed off to Toronto over the weekend with a wish list in hand.
That must mean it’s draft day in the National Lacrosse League.
The NLL movers and shakers will gather at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre on Monday night for the 2016 draft — beginning at 5 p.m. MT — which Board views as fairly full of talent.
“I don’t think personally that it’s as deep as last year’s,” he conceded.
“But there are some very good players available as always. I just don’t think there are as many.”
The Roughnecks have the fifth pick in the first round, followed by two choices in the second round for a total of eight selections over the six rounds.
“I don’t think it’s a secret, we want to improve our left side,” Board said, discussing his team’s priorities. “Acquiring Riley Loewen (in a trade with Saskatchewan) helps us in that area for sure. But that’s kind of a focus point. We like our right side on the offence and so if we’re looking offensively, that’s where we’d go.
“We’re also looking for good, strong, athletic defenders. There’s a number of those in the draft so we’re hoping to bolster our defence at the same time. I think anybody that’s chosen in the top 20 has a very good opportunity to make an NLL team.”
According to pre-draft prognosticators, the top choice in most people’s minds is left-shooting forward Ryan Keenan and, fittingly, he would go to the Saskatchewan Rush — whose head coach and GM is his dad Derek Keenan. The twotime defending champion Rush also have the third overall pick.
These same mock drafters have Calgary nabbing native son Holden Cattoni, also a left-side shooter out of Peterborough and Johns Hopkins.
“We’re playing cards close to the chest,” said Board.
“I don't think anyone's revealing who they're drafting. It depends on who's available when you pick. There are four or five names at a spot and you see who the best available player is at that spot.”
The GMs were also privy to the NLL combine on both Saturday and Sunday, which gave prospects who aren't perhaps as well known the opportunity to showcase their talents in the hopes of hearing their name called on Monday night.
For the Roughnecks, the infusion of talent is part of the continuation of a youth movement that began in earnest last season.
The 2015 draft was particularly fruitful, as picks Wesley Berg, Reilly O'Connor and Tyson Bell all played huge roles on the squad.
“Teams throughout the league are looking to get younger,” Board pointed out.
“Younger players aren't as expensive in their early years and that factors into it. I also think that the youth that becomes available in the draft is getting better and better. They have an opportunity to make teams and naturally teams just seem to be getting younger.”
The fact the young crop of lacrosse player is better and faster is due in large part to the yearround leagues available to play in, according to Board.
“There's a lot of kids playing in junior and who are still in college,'' he said.
“They play against men in the summer. That makes the jump to the NLL that much smaller. There's a learning curve they can have in the senior ball in the summer, which lessens that jump.'' NOTE: The 'Necks are also busy attempting to re-sign individuals, a process that Board says is ongoing.
He's in conversation with a number of players, most have offers and he doesn't anticipate any roadblocks.
They play against men in the summer. That makes the jump to the NLL that much smaller. There’s a learning curve they can have in the senior ball ...