IL Indoor highlights best eligible players for 2014 #NLLDraft on Sept. 22
The 2014 NLL Draft is right around the corner on Monday, Sept. 22, which means Stephen Stamp from IL Indoor is counting down the Top 50 prospects hopeful to hear their name called at Toronto Rock Athletic Centre. Check out players ranked 21-30 below and be sure to watch #NLLDraft live on YouTube.com/TLN on Monday at 7 p.m. ET.
21 – Tyler Melnyk – LF Langley Thunder (WLA)
Melnyk had a breakout performance in the 2013 Rocky Mountain Sr B league playoffs and that year’s Presidents Cup. He scored 96 points (49g, 47a) in the playoffs and was named to the Presidents Cup first all star team. This year he broke into the WLA with 21 goals and 13 assists in 15 games with the Thunder. He has a good shot and should improve with more time playing against high-level competition.
22 – Ian Martin – RF Six Nations Arrows (OLA Jr A)
Martin ripped it up in Jr B, scoring 32 goals and 98 assists for the Six Nations Rebels in 2013. He stepped up and made a strong contribution to the Minto Cup-winning Arrows this year with 50 points in 20 games. Martin added 18 goals and 21 assists in 16 playoff games. He’s a solid secondary scoring threat who doesn’t need the ball in his stick much to play a role in the offence.
23 – Connor Latimer – LF Oakville Merchants (OLA Sr B), Keuka College (NCAA)
Latimer spent his junior career in Jr B with the Clarington Green Gaels, where he scored 92 points in 2010 and 65 points in a total of 15 regular season and playoff games in 2012, his final season. He had a record-setting career with Genesee Community College before heading to Keuka, where he led all Division 3 players in scoring with 6.54 per game. He’s 6’4” and 200 pounds. Shows good potential to develop into a banger with good hands to contribute offensively at the pro level.
24 – Matt Delmonico – RF Coquitlam Adanacs (WLA), Seton Hill (NCAA)
A consistent scorer in his junior days with the Port Coquitlam Saints, Delmonico was a 30-goal scorer in his final season with the team. In his rookie year in the WLA, he put up 10 goals and 15 assists in 16 games with the Adanacs. He has a big frame with the potential to add some strength.
25 – Pat McCrory – RT Whitby Warriors (OLA Jr A)
McCrory worked his way up from the Clarington Jr C team to Jr B and eventually to the Warriors for the final two years of his junior career. He’s fast and has good stick skills. McCrory scored 87 points in his two seasons of Jr C. He won’t put up those kinds of numbers at the pro level, but can get out and help in transition. Will need to get stronger to handle playing defence against NLL players, but he has strong fundamentals.
26 – Tyler Ferreira – LT/F Brampton Excelsiors (OLA Jr A)
Ferreira played four full seasons with the Excelsiors, scoring a total of 120 points. He can contribute at either end of the floor and is considered a good team player. He doesn’t project to be a big scorer at the pro level, but his versatility will entice someone to give him a chance.
27 – Brier Jonathan – LT Six Nations Arrows (OLA Jr A)
An important member of the Arrows stingy defence, Jonathan has some speed to help in the transition game as well. He needs to add some size and strength but has the potential to be a solid defensive contributor.
28 – Dylan Webster – LF Brampton Excelsiors (MSL)
Webster scored as many as 69 points in a Jr A season with Brampton. He got into eight games with the senior Excels this summer and didn’t look out of place banging around in the offensive zone. He is smallish but works hard and doesn’t back down. Pretty good in the faceoff circle.
29 – Adam Shute – G Coquitlam Adanacs (WLA)
Shute has been the starter for the Adanacs for the last two summers, putting up reasonable numbers. He improved his stats from a 9.56 goals against average and .784 save percentage in 2013 to 7.67 and .799 this year. The Calgary, Alberta native played his Jr A lacrosse with the Okotoks Raiders.
30 – Steve Ferdinandi – LD New Westminster Salmonbellies (BCJALL)
Captain of the New West defence, Ferdinandi is a three-year starter with the Bellies who plays a gritty, consistent game. He was named the New Westminster’s best defensive player in 2013 and helped lead the team to the Minto Cup finals.
NLL Draft Top 50 Prospects: #31-40
NLL Draft Top 50 Prospects: #41-50