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Third Years a Charm
On Sunday February 8th, the Wilson Center in Port Coquitlam was the stage for the Third Annual Free Agent Midget Draft for the BC Junior A Lacrosse League. This was the second year the event was hosted in Poco, and with each year the draft is getting better and better- just like the eligible players.
The first pick of the 2009 Midget Draft went to the Langley Thunder who chose Reegan Comeault from the Ridge Meadows association. According to notes, Comeault has a great outside shot, likes to distribute the ball well, and is great off ball picks. Langley head coach Jamie Scott says these skills will bring more depth to the intermediate program. "He's a dominant player and a quarterback we were looking for to help us facilitate that role on the Intermediate A team and progress into Jr A. We wanted someone with enthusiasm and heart to provide an extra push for the senior players on our team. Overall we are very very happy with our picks"
Second overall, the Coquitlam Adanacs picked Eddy Patron from Port Moody. Patron is attributed to have a creative edge, is a dedicated player, and likes to get inside the play. "When I'm on the floor I like to get open and find space," said Patron, "I'm pumped the Adanacs chose me and I can't wait to play at a senior level with competition. I want to bring my offensive skills to the team and take it from there."
For the third pick, the Delta Islanders chose Brandon Rouse from the Langley association. Delta Governor Jim Canil says "Rouse is an all around great player with a defensive mind, which will work well with our organization."
Fourth pick went to the hosts of the draft- the Poco Saints, and they took right handed forward Matt Delmonico from Port Moody. Matt is excited to have the current Saints players help him advance his skills. "They have great 'D' with a lot of returning players this year; I'm really looking forward to everything about moving up to the next level."
Nanaimo picked fifth on the afternoon, and decided on Tyler Berkholtz from the Penticton association. Timbermen head coach Tyson Leies said the reports out of the Interior this year were very good, and had a big factor in their first round choice. "Traditionally players from the Okanagan and the Interior were picked in later rounds due to travel issues and commitments, but their caliber of play up there is awesome. We wanted to build up our size and skill and at the same time bring someone in with a good attitude- Tyler will help us with that, we are extremely pleased with the pick."
Sixth overall pick went to the Salmonbellies, who chose Dylan Quinn from Ridge/Meadows to add to their transition play and provide defensive depth.
The Victoria Shamrocks had the seventh pick of the first round, and brought in Kurtis Green from the Saanich association. Green likes to play the perimeter, and won a silver medal for box lacrosse at the 2008 Summer Games in Kelowna. Greens teammate at the Summer games- Ethan Garland was chosen eleventh overall (2nd round) by the Nanaimo Timbermen.
Final pick of the opening round went to the Timbermen who took Quinn Smith from Kamloops.
Aside from the pick shuffling, the only action bit of action came in the third round when Nanaimo traded their pick to New Westminster in exchange for Trevor Gains and a second round pick in 2010; subsequently, the 'Bellies picked Brandon Bull from Langley. In the fourth round New West picked Eric Ambercrombie from Ridge/Meadows and was immediately challenged by a couple of teams. The 'Bellies insist the player wasn't on the draft list because of injury, and the matter will be discussed at the next Governors meeting.
The Burnaby Lakers didn't part take in any draft action until the sixth round when they chose Jesse Harrington 45th overall, who is said to be a fast player who is strong on the outside.
All in all the draft went forward with seventeen rounds, and 111 picks all together with Port Coquitlam making the last selection. Reegan Comeault becomes the first number one draft pick in its three year history to be a forward (2007 #1 pick- goalie Devon Winters to the Surrey Stickmen, and 2008 #1 pick- goalie Ben Harris to the Burnaby Lakers)
A big thank you to the hosts Poco Saints, Brad Challoner for broadcasting the draft on the Junior A website, all teams and personnel involved, and CONGRATULATIONS to all 111 players who were drafted!
Submitted by Jen Mutas
League Reporter
jenmutas@hotmail.com
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Around The League With Jen - Archives
2009 Articles
July 30, 2009 - (Getting to the Good Stuff Faster)
July 1, 2009 - (Prospects Success)
May 13, 2009 - (National Rankings)
April 26, 2009 - (Shamrocks pluck two netminders from Ontario)
February 9, 2009 - (2009 Midget Draft Report)
2008 Articles
August 23, 2008 - (Fans Have Say)
June 9, 2008 - (Mid Season)
May 2008 - (Month One)
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