CALGARY, AB — The National Lacrosse League Draft is set to take place on September 28th, 2015 at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre (TRAC).
On this day, many young players will hear their name called and be given the opportunity to continue their lacrosse career at the professional level. For the following athletes, they represent some of the draft eligible talent from the province of Alberta:
Carson Barton
RF, 5’11” 175lbs
Edmonton, AB
In two seasons with the Grand Canyon University Antelopes, Barton was a key member of the offence, scoring 110 goals and adding 55 assists. He helped GCU win the MCLA Division I title and was named the MCLA Player of the Tournament. As a rookie in the Western Lacrosse Association in 2015, Barton played in all 18 games with the Coquitlam Adanacs. He scored 29 points (14g, 15a) in his rookie campaign. Due to a torn ACL that caused him to miss the entire 2014 GCU season, Barton may pursue a medical redshirt season and play for the ‘Lopes in 2015.
Michael Seidel
LD, 6’6” 215lbs
Edmonton, AB
In 40 games in his four-year Robert Morris University career, the big defensemen registered two goals and one assist. He also scooped up 21 ground balls and caused 15 turnovers. Playing for the Langley Thunder of the WLA, Seidel played 11 games and tallied a single goal. Being 6-foot-6, he will bring physicality and toughness to whichever team selects him in the draft.
Dan Taylor
LF, 6’3” 207lbs
Calgary, AB
From Calgary, Taylor is an extremely talented forward who some are projecting to go as early as the second round. Attending Lehigh University, Taylor played 16 games in 2015 and scored 41 goals and 36 assists. After a two-game stint with the Denver Outlaws of Major League Lacrosse, where he recorded two points (1g, 1a), Taylor joined the Maple Ridge Burrards of the WLA where he immediately made an impact in scoring 56 points (16g, 40a) and helping them make the playoffs. Although the Burrards lost in the first round to the top-seeded Victoria Shamrocks, Taylor was one of the best players, scoring 10 points (2g, 8a) in four games. Taylor’s 56 points in the WLA was good enough for 11th among all players.
Erik Turner
RF, 6’1” 195lbs
St. Albert, AB
Playing midfield for Cornell University, Turner played in 24 games over his four years. In that time, he only managed two assists and five ground balls. However, with the Edmonton Sr. B Warriors, Turner was the second highest scorer on the team with 47 points (23g, 24a) in 11 games. In his junior career, Turner was a point machine, registering 273 points (134g, 139a) in 70 games.
Other Notable Draft Eligible Talent from Alberta:
1) Kyle Gray, Jr. A Mountaineers, Calgary
2) Jordan Getz, Jr. A Raiders, Calgary
3) Leighton Gibson, Jr. A Raiders, Calgary
4) Ryan Ewashko, Jr. B Warriors, Edmonton
5) Stephen Doane, Jr. B Shamrocks, Calgary
Tune into the NLL Draft on September 28th to find out if and when these talented, young Albertans get drafted.
