OAKVILLE, ON – The Calgary Roughnecks Lacrosse Club selected nine players, including five forwards, three defencemen and one transition player, in the 2017 NLL Draft held Monday at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre (TRAC) in Oakville, Ontario.
“We are extremely satisfied with our draft choices this year,” said Mike Board, Roughnecks general manager. “We were able to add many diverse players at a variety positions with skill, size and athleticism. We are looking forward to a very competitive camp with this group of prospects joining our returning roster players in November.”
The Roughnecks selected 23-year-old Zach Currier in the first round, third overall. Currier recently captured the Mann Cup as a member of the MSL’s Peterborough Lakers. In 17 post-season contests, the Peterborough, Ontario, product recorded 17 points (10 goals, seven assists) and 21 penalty minutes. Following three seasons in the Lakers system, Currier has tallied a career seven goals and 21 points along with 49 penalty minutes over 26 games. He spent his collegiate career (2014-17) with the Princeton University Tigers where he finished fourth all-time in franchise history for points by a midfield (124), 10th all-time in assists (69) and second all-time with 302 ground balls, one short of tying the university record.
“It feels pretty good,” said Currier. “Every little kid dreams of this day so I’m pumped up and really excited to have a team that wants me on board.”
“Zach is a very dynamic player who was built for the NLL,” said Curt Malawsky, Roughnecks assistant general manager and head coach. “His loose ball pursuit, speed, anticipation and sheer compete are things that put him in a class of his own. To say we are excited to have Zack is an understatement.”
2017 CALGARY ROUGHNECKS DRAFT BOARD
RND O/A PLAYER, POSITION, YOB, 2017 TEAM (LEAGUE)
1 3 Zach Currier, T, 1994, Princeton University (NCAA) and Peterborough Lakers (MSL)
1 9* Tyler Pace, F, 1995, University of Denver (NCAA) and Langley Thunder (WLA)
1 11 Ryan Martel, F, 1998, Langley Thunder (BCJALL)
2 21* Anthony Kalinich, D, 1998, Langley Thunder (BCJALL)
2 22 Cole Pickup, F, 1996, Victoria Shamrocks (WLA)
2 23 Cole Shafer, F, 1994, Drexel University (NCAA) and Langley Thunder (WLA)
3 26 Liam Patten, D, 1996, Barrie Lakeshores (OLA Jr. A) and Okotoks Raiders (RMLL)
5 45 Steph Charbonneau, D, 1996, Barrie Lakeshores (OLA Jr. A)
6 53 Mitch McDole, F, 1996, Langley Thunder (BCJALL)*Trade: The Calgary Roughnecks acquired the ninth and 21st overall selections in the 2017 NLL Draft from the Georgia Swarm in exchange for a first-round pick in 2019.
Roughnecks season tickets for the 2017-18 NLL campaign are available for as low as $248. For more information on the exclusive privileges offered to Roughnecks season seat holders, including the flexible exchange program that ensures no ticket goes unused, visit CalgaryRoughnecks.com or contact customer service at 403-777-4646. Single game tickets will go on sale in November.
