Bandits draft Gilray third overall
Kyle Killen taken 22nd overall by Colorado Mammoth; Brad Lyons 24th overall by Toronto Rock
Peterborough Lakers player Matt Gilray was drafted third overall by the Buffalo Bandits in Tuesday night’s National Lacrosse League draft.
It caps a huge year for Gilray: he was a member of Canada’s silver medal winning team at the World Field Lacrosse Championships, helped the Denver Outlaws win the Major League Lacrosse team and then won the Mann Cup with the Lakers earlier this month.
“I’m feeling great. It’s one of those things you look forward to and circle the calendar for,” Gilray said on the draft broadcast.
“I hope I can do my part defensively and take part in the transition and play whatever role they set for me.”
The Oshawa native completed his senior season earlier this year with the Bucknell Bisons at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa., where he was captain for two years.
Cavan’s Kyle Killen of the MSL’s Cobourg Kodiaks was drafted in the second round, 22nd overall, by the Colorado Mammoth.
“It’s kind of surreal hearing your name called,” Killen told the draft broadcast.
“It’s a great franchise. I’m excited for the next step and to put in the work.”
Killen had 35 points in his Major Series Lacrosse rookie season after being moved to the Kodiaks as part of the deal earlier this year that brought high scorer Corey Small to the Lakers.
Killen, a Crestwood Secondary School graduate, played the past two seasons with the Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers.
Peterborough Merit Precision Jr. A Lakers player Brad Lyons also went in the second round, 24th overall, to the Toronto Rock.
“It’s a dream come true,” Lyons told the draft broadcast.
“Living at home and playing for the team you grew up watching with your family and friends is just awesome.”
Lyons still has two more seasons of Jr. A lacrosse left.
The draft was held in Philadelphia, home to one of two expansion franchises for the coming season.
The new San Diego Seals team drafted Austin Staats, of the Six Nations First Nation, first while the Philadelphia Wings drafted Chris Cloutier second. Lakers general manager Paul Day is the head coach and GM of the Wings.
Casey Guerin dies
Former Peterborough lacrosse player and broadcaster Casey Guerin died Friday with his family at his side following a long battle with a rare disorder that causes fluid to leak into his lungs.
In recent years the 33-year-old had been a colour commentator for the NLL’s Saskatchewan Rush.
Guerin’s playing career ended in 2007 when he first experienced breathing issues.
He was later diagnosed with a rare condition called chylothorax.
Leaks in a lymphatic duct in Guerin’s chest caused his chest and lungs to fill with a fluid called chyle, created by the digestion of fats.
There was no immediate word on funeral arrangements.