CALGARY, AB — The Calgary Roughnecks will be busy at the 2015 NLL Draft.
The Roughnecks currently own two first round picks, including the fourth overall selection. This pick has resulted in some great talent over the past 15 years. Let’s take a look at some of the best fourth overall picks since 2001.
2014, Eli McLaughlin, Colorado Mammoth: While having only one year under his belt, McLaughlin was able to step in right away for the Mammoth and contribute at a high level. Playing in 17 regular season games, the 6’1” lefty registered 15 goals and 23 assists to go along with 32 loose balls. Already looking like a good player, McLaughlin will be a big part of the Mammoth’s future.
2012, Shayne Jackson, Minnesota Swarm: In his third year in the league, Jackson put up career highs in goals (30), assists (48), points (78), and loose balls (77). His lowest point total since entering the league was 51. Regardless, he has been very productive in every season since joining the team and looks to be a key factor in the Swarm offence going forward.
2011, Jordan MacIntosh, Minnesota Swarm: When the Swarm drafted MacIntosh in 2011, Minnesota hoped he would become one of the leagues best transition players. That’s exactly what he has done. In four seasons with the Swarm, he’s averaged 53.75 points per season while placing in the top-five for loose balls each year. In addition to scoring and scooping, MacIntosh is also the Swarm’s draw man. However, only once has he managed to win over 50 percent of his face-offs, and that was in 2013.
2010, Andrew Suitor, Minnesota Swarm: Unlike MacIntosh, an offensive transition player, Suitor is a more defensive-minded transition player. Because of this, he did not put up the same gaudy numbers. However, he still compiled 456 career loose balls and 90 caused turnovers. One of Suitor’s biggest qualities was his leadership. He was the Swarm’s Captain until he was traded to the New England Black Wolves in 2015 for Joel White.
2007, Dane Dobbie, Calgary Roughnecks: All Dobbie has done is score since being drafted in 2007. In 2015, he recorded 67 points to eclipse the 500-career point barrier. He has never had less than 50 points in a season and has only once scored less than 30 goals (28 in 2012 when he played only 13 games). In fact, Dobbie set a Roughnecks’ single-season record in 2014 with 51 goals. He helped the Roughnecks to their second ever Champion’s Cup in 2009. Dobbie remains a large part of the Roughnecks organization and is currently an assistant captain.
2006, Geoff Snider, Philadelphia Wings: Snider has been an elite face-off man since the day that he entered the NLL. He is currently the NLL all-time leader in face-off wins at 2,468. To make it even more impressive, he owns a remarkable 72.5 career face-off percentage. Snider is also top-5 all-time in loose balls with 1,857. Snider has been one of the league’s best transition players since entering the league and has been a great asset to the Calgary Roughnecks since being traded there prior to the 2011 season.
2001, Derek Suddons, Columbus Landsharks: The 6’1” defensemen has spent time with four different teams (Columbus, Toronto, Edmonton, and Buffalo) over his 14-year career. Through 203 career games, Suddons has only amassed 84 points, but he has also provided solid defence and 739 loose balls. Clearly, his lengthy career is a testament to his abilities and the fact that his selection at fourth overall was well worth it.
Stay tuned for our second edition where we will look at some of the best 7th overall picks.
