2020 NLL Draft Recap

Current and former BCJALLers were going off the board fast and furious during last night's virtual 2020 NLL Draft. It was an outstanding night for the league with one of the best showings in recent years for a graduate class.

It started with the Vancouver Warriors moving up to ensure they got Coquitlam native Reid Bowering, who they clearly consider a transformative piece as they look to complete a years-long rebuild. Vancouver also completed the run when they took speedy defenceman Brendan Szabo from the Delta Islanders. In total, nearly 20 players with current or former ties to BCJALL clubs were taken. 

2. VANCOUVER WARRIORS - REID BOWERING - COQUITLAM ADANACS 

The Warriors decided to package the No. 3 pick, as well as a second-rounder, in order to ensure they get the future cornerstone of the next era of Vancouver lacrosse. IL Indoor's Stephen Stamp says "people just see him as a real difference-maker to a franchise, on and off the floor." Bowering is going back to school this year, but as The Province's Steve Ewen noted on Twitter, the Warriors may have their version of Bo Horvat. 

4. SAN DIEGO SEALS - TRE LECLAIRE - NEW WESTMINSTER SALMONBELLIES

San Diego added to its offensive arsenal with the dynamic, hard-shooting Leclaire. All the big man has done is produce in both the box and field game. The 6'2" forward was named a three-time All-American at THE Ohio State University and has proven his worth in the summer boxla circuit as well. San Diego only had one goal scorer, Zack Greer, who put up more than 20 goals in the 12 games played during last year's shortened season.

9. BUFFALO BANDITS - BRAD MCCULLEY - VICTORIA SHAMROCKS

Brad McCulley seems to be moving further East with every draft he's in. After being taken by the Langley Thunder with the 3rd overall pick in the 2019 WLA Draft, he'll now take his talents to Banditland. Despite being re-traded to his hometown club prior to this season, Buffalo will want to keep the Thunder's 2019 leading scorer for a long time. The Bandits already have a bit of BC flavor in their lineup with Josh Byrne and Chase Fraser chief among them. 

CHECK OUT THE FULL RESULTS OF THE 2020 NLL DRAFT

19. BUFFALO BANDITS - SAM LA ROUE - BURNABY LAKERS/NEW WESTMINSTER SALMONBELLIES

The 2019 BCJALL No. 1 overall pick was a late entry into the NLL Draft, but teams already likely knew about him after his standout season for both Burnaby and New West. Good franchises plan ahead in the NLL (look no further than Calgary's approach to drafting Christian Del Bianco) and La Roue represents the forward-thinking approach Buffalo has. He may not crack the roster right away, but the kid has at least 4 more years in Junior, and there's plenty of room to grow.

20. CALGARY ROUGHNECKS - ETHAN TICEHURST - COQUITLAM ADANACS

It seems like the Roughnecks have one of the best pipelines to BC players besides the Warriors. They put that to good use again on Thursday night, getting Ticehurst to add to the defensive core. Calgary does a good job developing their prospects and giving them room to grow, which they can afford to do with Ticehurst. 

GM Mike Board says that because COVID-19 shut down all summer leagues, it forced them to dig more into players and asking around to see who is highly-regarded, and you can bet Ticehurst was one of the kids who got high marks in the intangibles department. 

21. CALGARY ROUGHNECKS - PATRICK DODDS - VICTORIA SHAMROCKS

Calgary went back-to-back with BC boys, taking Patrick Dodds with the 21st pick. Many won't be surprised to see his development take off in the next few years. Dodds is a natural goal scorer and plays well within the offensive structure, never too selfish and always willing to make the extra pass. He will push the likes of Haiden Dickson and Marshal King for playing time right away if he gets the opportunity.

26. SASKATCHEWAN RUSH - BOBBY KIDD - LANGLEY THUNDER

Kidd was regarded as one of the more polarizing players in the draft, but you know the Rush must have seen something in him, given the team's draft record. He may not be a regular contributor right away, but with Saskatchewan's depth, he doesn't have to be. The Rush had a clear mandate in mind to get better in transition and tougher on things like loose balls and Kidd will help them achieve that goal. 

28. COLORADO MAMMOTH - JORDAN TROTTIER - NEW WESTMINSTER SALMONBELLIES

Though Trottier only spent the latter half of the season with the 'Bellies, he flashed strong defensive abilities and took on a leadership role with the team. A hard-nosed player who isn't afraid to mix it up, Trottier is a great depth pick by Colorado. 

31. COLORADO MAMMOTH - JALEN CHASTER - COQUITLAM ADANACS

Colorado also doubled down on BC boys, this time getting a kid with a ton of experience. Some regard Chaster as potential Captain material in the not-too-distant future. The thing I really like about the lefty is his willingness to go to the dirty areas, as well as the underrated trait of being able to throw some sneaky, devastating picks on helpless defenders. There will always be a role like that for players in the NLL, especially with recent expansion.

32. CALGARY ROUGHNECKS - JUSTIN GEDDIE - NANAIMO TIMBERMEN

The first BC goaltender taken is a big boy with a tall task ahead of him. Don't expect Justin Geddie to supplant CDB as the 'Necks starter anytime soon, but it's another pick made with an eye toward the future. Del Bianco also spent time backing up Frank Scigliano, before San Diego entered the league, and was probably a better goalie for it. The transition to the NLL is such a big one, especially for a kid who just won BCJALL Rookie of the Year. Geddie has shown the ability to look comfortable with the small sticks on the carpet.

35. PHILADELPHIA WINGS - DYLAN FOULDS - PORT COQUITLAM SAINTS/COQUITLAM ADANACS

This could prove to be an underrated pick when the dust settles from this draft class. Dylan Foulds is another highly-productive player and his challenge going forward is to show Paul Day and company that he can do it against much better competition. He has a wicked outside shot and can be a weapon with man advantage. He will return to Penn State for the 2021 NCAA field season. 

36. NEW YORK RIPTIDE - LARSON SUNDOWN - VICTORIA SHAMROCKS

Larson Sundown may have spent his last few summers on the West Coast, but he can plan his winter around playing on Long Island. The New York native told LacrosseBucket that he has aspirations to play pro lacrosse, but will return for a final year of college lacrosse. "Ultimately, for us the bottom line was that you only get four years of college lacrosse, you can play professionally for a long time after school is done," he told the website.

37. CALGARY ROUGHNECKS - RHYS BLAKE - PORT COQUITLAM SAINTS

I wonder if Calgary saw a little bit of Reece Callies in Rhys Blake. Both are huge players with explosive physical abilities. Blake will need to show he can be a consistent defender who can bring the ball up the floor. Calgary is making the switch to a younger D, but they have so much depth, so it will be up to Blake to earn a regular shift.

43. SASKATCHEWAN RUSH - CLARK WALTER - PORT COQUITLAM SAINTS/LANGLEY THUNDER

I said earlier that Saskatchewan was one of a few teams that seemed to have a plan in mind in attacking this draft. Guys like Walter are glue guys who can take a good D and contribute towards making it great. Walter loose ball machine who can play on either end of the floor.

49. VANCOUVER WARRIORS - MATTEO TACK - BURNABY LAKERS/COQUITLAM ADANACS

Tack is an upside pick for the Warriors. While his numbers didn't improve from 2018 to 2019 with Burnaby, he was the unquestioned starter and saw a ton of rubber last season. Warriors Assistant GM Ken Thomas says Tack is an "up and coming junior goaltender.. terrific competitor and shot-stopper." Many will wonder why the Warriors didn't take Coquitlam starter Nate Faccin, but management obviously saw something in Tack and are willing to wait on his development with Steve Fryer and Eric Penney between the pipes this season.

"AN UP AND COMING JUNIOR GOALTENDER.. TERRIFIC COMPETITOR AND SHOT-STOPPER" - WARRIORS ASSISTANT GM KEN THOMAS ON GOALTENDER MATTEO TACK

58. COLORADO MAMMOTH - NATE FACCIN - COQUITLAM ADANACS

Faccin could easily turn out to be Colorado's goaltender-in-waiting behind Dillon Ward. Faccin showed he can be the unquestioned starter of a Minto contender and is coming off winning Goaltender of the Year in the BCJALL. He could immediately push veteran backup Tyler Carlson, who only made three appearances and played in 59 minutes in last year's shortened season.

79. SASKATCHEWAN RUSH - ERIK MAAS - NEW WESTMINSTER SALMONBELLIES

Maas still has some Junior lacrosse left to play and he could be one of the breakout players when we return to arenas next Summer. He's already scored 48 goals in 53 career regular season and playoff games, and showed he can score big goals with 4 game-winners in 2019 alone. The Rush will be eager to see how his development goes the next season or more.

83. VANCOUVER WARRIORS - BRENDAN SZABO - DELTA ISLANDERS

Rounding out our list is speed demon Brendan Szabo out of Delta. Vancouver seems to be putting emphasis on team speed, on defence especially, so Szabo could fit right in. Thomas says Szabo runs the floor well out of the back gate and is a "tenacious competitor."