NLL Draft 17: BCJALL grads go early and often

It was the most exciting night of the year for most NLL lacrosse fans who always have an eye on who could make waves in the league in the upcoming years. It was also the night where many hours of working by lamplight, traveling insane distances to catch a Jr. B game in the depths of Ontario and making the case that their guy should be the one picked. 

And it was a night worthy of a lifetime for the players drafted into the next steps of their budding lacrosse careers. It also might've been the night where those who didn't get drafted turn it around, show up at camp and go lay claim to a roster spot on their own. 

Among those players were several BCJALL grads who went early and often. Let's take a look at where some of our old stars will be plying their trade the next few winters. 

1 (1) JOSH BYRNE - BUFFALO BANDITS

Byrne was the No. 1 choice last night, and if you asked anyone in BC lacrosse, they will tell you Buffalo really couldn't have gone wrong. It was between Byrne, the flashy left-hander who scores points in buckets, and Josh Currier, a dynamo in transition that most British Columbians saw with his performances in the 2017 Mann Cup with Peterborough. 

Further complications were added into the pick when Buffalo traded former New Westminster Salmonbellie Anthony Malcom back to his hometown here in Vancouver in exchange for lefty Jordan Durston. But with Buffalo shipping off Ryan Benesch from an already depleted left side, it made all too much sense for the orange and black to make Byrne the No. 1 pick the in the draft.

In four short games with the WLA's Burnaby Lakers, Byrne potted 16 points. He was also named the Major League Lacrosse's rookie of the year. The light shines bright for this one. 

9 (1) TYLER PACE - CALGARY ROUGHNECKS

Pace was among four of five BC players selected in the opening two rounds for the 'Necks, something you may have expected with a pretty BC-based coaching staff. But Pace will arguably have the biggest impact right out of the gates for Calgary behind the No. 3 pick Currier if he can find a spot in the O. Pace was lights out for Coquitlam during the run to the 2016 Minto Cup championship, but has had reoccurring back problems that limited his ability to produce as a senior for the University of Denver during field season.

Calgary's medical staff probably got a long look at Pace if he was going to be a top-ten choice in this draft, which makes you believe that Pace will be at full strength when winter comes around. A solid choice for Calgary as Pace will bring character and a championship mentality to that room.

11 (1) RYAN MARTEL - CALGARY ROUGHNECKS

Get ready to see the Roughnecks a lot in the next few picks, as we've already forewarned you. People will look back at this draft in five rounds and Martel may be the guy they single out as the best value pick or most underrated selection in the draft. Martel still has two more years of Jr. A ball to go with Langley and was tremendous this season en route to the 2017 BCJALL rookie of the year honours. 

Martel is young and won't be pigeon-holed into a contributing spot right away, which will be perfect for him. For Langley, any practice time and game time Martel can spend around a group of NLL veterans would be much welcomed if they are to lean on him, Nathaniel Kozevnikov and Nathan Mackeigan to challenge Coquitlam for the BCJALL title next season. 

13 (2) CHASE FRASER - BUFFALO BANDITS

Some would argue that Chase Fraser perhaps went a little too high, considering there were like-minded players Buffalo could grab at that spot that are a little closer to home. But those around these parts will tell Fraser will fit in just fine in Buffalo, and given a certain level of responsibility, could burst onto people's radars when they see just how athletic and good in transition Fraser could be in the NLL.

Fraser is a guy who will be able to contribute to both sides of the ball eventually, and for a team who will like to push the pace as much as the Bandits, this is a great landing spot for Chase. You'd have to think Buffalo scouts had a close eye on him and put feelers out during the process as he's close to Buffalo at the University of the District of Columbia. 

 GET THE 2017 NLL DRAFT RESULTS HERE

15 (2) DREW BELGRAVE - TORONTO ROCK

People in Toronto are going to love this kid. Fresh off not just an awesome series, but an amazing experience, at this year's Mann Cup as a junior call-up, Belgrave made a name for himself with some great D and transition play for New West. 

The ability to show you can move up to different levels and not look out of place was likely an eye-opener for NLL management, and is always a good sign for a kid many people out east probably haven't heard much of. You'd have to think he was one of the contenders for defensive player of the year this BCJALL season, and only has room to improve his game. 

17 (2) NICK CHAYKOWSKY - NEW ENGLAND BLACKWOLVES 

Nick only spent a few months out west, but had an excellent playoffs that catapulted him into the conversation in the back half of the second round. This guy is all heart and determination, and scored several big goals for New West on a great playoff run.

Chaykowsky has also played at the highest levels in Ontario as well, plying his trade with the lowly Barrie Lakeshores until he got his move to the Royal City at the trade deadline. He looks like a guy who can fit in with almost any type of player, and that's a valuable trait in the NLL where a lot of times guys are plug-and-play in short notice. 

19 (2) JOHNNY PEARSON - SASKATCHEWAN RUSH

Fresh off adding Nick Finlay, the Rush doubled down on guys who have tons of experience playing high levels of lacrosse with a high-level IQ and production to prove it.

Pearson is a big lefty with the soft hands of a diminutive forward and eclipsed 80 points twice with the BCJALL Bellies before potting 11 goals and 11 assists in 13 games with the WLA's Langley Thunder this summer. He faces a bit of a loaded left-side in Saskatchewan, but every player will face adversity trying to make the big club as a second-round rookie. 

21 (2) ANTHONY KALINICH - CALGARY ROUGHNECKS

Kalinich is as much of a no-nonsense defender as they come and proved as much this season, accruing 61 PIMs with the Thunder. He also made seven appearances with the WLA Thunder, giving him a taste of what an NLL training camp might be. The Maple Ridge product has proven to be up to the task at every level he's played at and is still only 18 years old. Calgary will give him time to grow, whether that's on the practice roster or another season in Langley. 

22 (2) COLE PICKUP - CALGARY ROUGHNECKS

I believe we warned everyone that Calgary loved their BC kids this year. This is another intriguing add for Calgary as Pickup is a distinguished two-sport athlete who was one of the top scorers in the league with Victoria before moving on to play D1 puck at the University of Nebraska Omaha. He was also an impact player for the WLA Shamrocks, someone they definitely missed with all of the injuries they had heading into the WLA Finals. 

Pickup could be a player that adds something down the road, but it's never a bad idea to stockpile real offensive talent whenever you can. The way Calgary's O is structured in terms of age, we wouldn't be surprised to see Cole make a difference sooner rather than later. 

23 (2) COLE SHAFER - CALGARY ROUGHNECKS

Much of the same can be said for the other Cole the 'Necks picked up in the second round: Shafer. He fell a little bit despite putting up some great numbers during his second season with the WLA Thunder. He scored nine less points but played in six less games than his rookie campaign, and he still averaged a goal per game. 

ILIndoor's Stephen Stamp was a huge fan of Shafer's coming into last night's draft and had him ranked sixth overall on his big board. Stamp had these kind words to say about Shafer going into the draft.

He was an incredibly poised distributor and also showed how deadly his shot can be from all kinds of positions on the floor. Shafer followed up his junior and worlds exploits with back-to-back strong seasons for the offensively challenged Thunder. As one observer pointed out, if you just watched Shafer during Thunder games you would never know if they were up by 5 or down by 5. - Stephen Stamp - ILIndoor.com 

29 (3) SAM DEGROOT - VANCOUVER STEALTH

Degroot is a fantastic pick for the hometown Stealth, as you won't find another kid as grounded on-and-off the floor as Sam is. The winner of this year's BCJALL most inspirational player, Degroot may not make an immediate impact, but you know Doug Locker & Co. have this selection stored away for the next few years as well. It wouldn't surprise us to see Degroot on the same path as another BCJALL grad-turned-Stealth in Evan Messenger, although maybe not in the same capacity. 

Vancouver Stealth broadcaster Jake Elliott was also complimentary of the pick, saying "he can do whatever he wants, playing offense or defense for you and he's a leader." 

45 (5) STEPH CHARBONNEAU - CALGARY ROUGHNECKS

Charbonneau could be another high-profile add for the Roughnecks because he's a high character guy with some strong traits as a defender. Charbonneau was captain of the Barrie Lakeshores before making the move to the BCJALL, and was great for the team in the Minto Cup. Scouts would have had a good look at Charbonneau in Brampton if they hadn't already with Barrie. 

Stamp had Charbonneau going 35th in his final mock draft the day of, so Calgary could be getting another steal. 

48 (5) ERIK KRATZ - VANCOUVER STEALTH

You can never have too many goalies, something the Vancouver Stealth know all too well about. They got some dynamite tending from Tye Belanger last season, but Belanger struggled to unseat Alexis Buque this summer in New West and will again need to prove he's the man to go to in the crease for the Stealth. 

Kratz is a good add because you just don't know how goalies will develop in the future. Warren Hill was tabbed as the next breakout star between the pipes just a few years ago, and he'll be battling Kevin Orleman for the backup job behind Mike Poulin for Georgia. Then you look at a guy like Brodie MacDonald who flamed out of the Swarm's goaltending picture. Goalies are an inexact science, but Kratz has proven to be quite good this season for New West; at least good enough to be named the top goalie ahead of Coquitlam's star Christian Del Bianco. 

53 (6) MITCH MCDOLE - CALGARY ROUGHNECKS

It wouldn't be a Calgary Roughnecks pick if they didn't take another BC guy, right? McDole has been a proven scorer ever since he came out of minor lacrosse, leading the BCJALL in scoring for bits and pieces of the last two years. A good depth pick for Calgary who could surprise people at camp with his overall stick skills and willingness to bang on O. 

For further reading, check out Stamp's top 50 player rankings at http://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/stamper-s-top-50-nll-entry-draft-prospects-1-10/50489.