By: Riley Pollock – 19-09.24
First-round draft picks are always a coveted commodity.
And the Roughnecks had two of them in Sunday’s draft.
High Point University and St. Catherines Athletics product Brayden Mayea was taken fifth overall while Cornell and Oakville Jr. A grad, Jack Follows, was picked up at 10.
Grabbing a prolific goal-scorer in Mayea and a steady, hard-working defencemanwith Follows is a boon for the club.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to play in the NLL,” said Mayea. “There were a lot of emotions going through me. I was just with the family and my girlfriend at home so we kept it a little more intimate which I like. It’s very exciting and I’m pumped to get rolling soon.”
The highly-skilled forward likes to put the ball in the net. During his four seasons at High Point University, he potted 168 goals in 61 games.
He described the type of game he would like to play in the NLL.
“I’m creative in making plays and being able to put the ball in the back of the net,” said Mayea. “Expect a lot of creativity and working well with teammates in order to win some games. I have quickness and some slippery moves so expect some of that, too.”
Mayea hasn’t played box since the 2021 Ontario Junior Lacrosse League bubble season but says he doesn’t expect it to be much of a hindrance.
“I’ve played box lacrosse my whole life growing up until then so I think it’s a lot like riding a bike, you just pick up where you left off,” he explained. “It’s not like I wasn’t playing lacrosse at all, I was at High Point playing lacrosse there for school and for the Chaos (PLL) this past season. I am excited to get back going in box. Box is definitely my favourite sport so I’m looking forward to getting back to it.”
As for Follows, he describes himself as a stay-at-home defenceman who can move the ball as well.
“I think my style is gritty,” he said. “I’m willing to get into the corners and get my nose dirty and try to push the ball whenever I can.”
Follows finished up his college career at Cornell in May and says his experience there should help him with the pro game.
“I think at Cornell culture is such an important aspect,” he explained. “How the team is run, how well the team is going to do is because our culture builds such a tight group. It will help me become a great teammate, well done is better than well said. Bringing those kinds of identities to Calgary and to the NLL are important.”
The new Riggers defender can’t wait to hit the turf.
“I’m pumped,” he said. “I’m not sure I’ve ever been to Calgary so I’m excited to get there and see it and get to work at camp.”
The Riggers kick off their regular season Dec. 7 in Halifax. The home opener goes Dec. 28 against Vancouver. Get your season tickets now.
