CALGARY, AB — The Calgary Roughnecks are set to enter the 2015 NLL Draft with two first round picks in hand.
After selecting fourth overall, the Roughnecks won’t wait long to make their next pick sitting seventh. 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, Robert Hope, Colorado Mammoth: The rookie out of Pfeiffer University was able to step right into the Mammoth lineup last season. He managed to play in 17 of 18 games and in the team’s lone playoff contest. Hope was not a factor on offence, but every team needed to be wary of his tenacious defence, as he set an NLL single-season rookie record for caused turnovers with 28. He also added 72 loose balls to his resume.
2012, Matthew Dinsdale, Calgary Roughnecks: In three years with the Roughnecks since being drafted, Dinsdale did not have a defined role and was rotated in and out of the lineup. However, once the talented forward was traded to Edmonton in 2015, he found a niche for himself and helped the Rush win the 2015 Champion’s Cup. In fact, it was Dinsdale who scored the game-winner in the deciding game.
2006, Paul Dawson, San Jose Stealth: The hulking defensemen did not make his debut until 2008, where he recorded only five points and 31 loose balls. He then teamed up with his brother Dan Dawson in Boston, Philadelphia, and Rochester over the next 7 years of his career. In that time, he added another 50 points, 386 loose balls, and a staggering 334 penalty minutes. He is known for being a tough defensemen who will drop the gloves if necessary to protect his teammates.
2005, Dan Carey, Colorado Mammoth: The left-handed forward out of the lacrosse factory that is Peterborough spent six seasons in the NLL — his first five were with the Mammoth, but the final year was with the Toronto Rock. Carey amassed 261 points (103g, 158a) and 300 loose balls in his career. He displayed great discipline as he had only 19 career penalty minutes, which led to him winning the 2008 NLL Sportsmanship Award.
2003, Scott Ranger, San Jose Stealth: Long-time Roughnecks star, Ranger began his career in San Jose. After playing nine games in two years with the Stealth, Ranger signed on with the Roughnecks in 2007 and would never leave. He finished with 176 goals, 417 points, 356 loose balls, and a Champion’s Cup. His leadership and skill helped the Roughnecks remain competitive throughout his tenure with the team.
2002, Mark Steenhuis, Columbus Landsharks: For someone who was only introduced to the sport of lacrosse at age 17, Steenhuis has done remarkable things. After a successful rookie campaign with the Landsharks, he was traded to Buffalo — where his career really got going. He helped lead the Bandits to their first and only NLL Championship, winning NLL Transition Player of the Year and Champion’s Cup MVP along the way. To date, Steenhuis has recorded 861 points (397g, 464a) and 1,476 loose balls.
