Noah Manning recalls well the game-winning, overtime goal in 2019 that clinched an NLL title for the Roughnecks.
“I remember watching that Rhys Duch goal in overtime to win the championship and dreaming of one day winning a championship and one day getting to put on that uniform,” said Manning of the tilt at the Scotiabank Saddledome against the Buffalo Bandits. “So amazing to get drafted by the Roughnecks today.”
The Riggers selected Manning, a right-handed forward – like Duch – from Victoria, B.C., with the ninth-overall pick in the NLL Entry Draft Saturday, then selecting another Victoria product, Kyle Pepper, with the 11th-overall selection.
Manning is an offensive standout, who played WLA senior A summer ball with the Nanaimo Timberman this year and is a graduate of the University of Denver, where he played NCAA field lacrosse.
“It’s been something I’ve been dreaming about for a very long time,” said Manning. “I’ve dreamt since I was a kid of hearing my name called and playing in the NLL.
“And to come to such a great city and great fanbase, couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity.”
Pepper is a Swiss Army knife who can both defence and offence and takes faceoffs as needed, suiting up this summer with the WLA’s Victoria Shamrocks after an NCAA career at St. Bonaventure.
“I’m so fired up,” said Pepper. “Calgary is close to home and I know a lot of guys there, watched the team win a few championships, so nice going to a spot like that.”
The pair, both now 22, grew up in the B.C. capital – but attended rival high schools – before both suiting up for the junior A Victoria Shamrocks.
“Great guy, amazing player and I’m beyond fired up to be joining him,” said Pepper.
Manning scored nine goals and 22 points in eight games for the Timberman, and tallied 122 points in 57 games for Denver.
“I’m someone that’s hungry,” said Manning. “I can shoot the ball, I can get inside, and I’m a playmaker, too. I can get my shots and I can finish; just an all-around offensive player.”
Pepper was described in the team’s draft room as ‘versatile,’ focused on offence as a younger player before developing his overall game.
“Growing up I was a big Dan Dawson fan,” said Pepper. “But as I kind of started to mature and realized where I was with my game, it’s the guys like Challen Rogers, Zach Currier, Ian McKay. I love watching them because they are so impactful at both ends, they’re effective whatever gate they are going out and that’s something I try to model my game after.
“I’m pretty fortunate where I’ve been given the opportunity to play out of both gates,” he continued. “I just love being on the floor and impacting the game at both ends; and loose balls and the faceoff circle – I just like to be everywhere.”
Both players said they can’t wait to hit the floor in the Rough House in front of the team’s raucous home crowd.
“I’m pretty fired up to see what it’s all about live,” said Pepper. “I heard the place gets rowdy.”
The Riggers rounded out the draft selecting defender Jordan Vincent with the 29th pick (2nd round), forward Jack Royer at 49th, forward Lukas Olsson at 56th, defender Hudson Chivers at 70th, and goalie Tommy Wood at 84th.
Calgary traded the 82nd pick (sixth round) to Oshawa for a 2026 sixth-round pick.
