Archive for the ‘Rookie Report’ Category


IL Indoor, National Lacrosse League, Rookie Report

NLL Week 16 Rookie Report: Talents for newcomers were wide, varied and evident

April 23rd, 2013 by Bob Chavez

What's not to love about the heart and hustle Joey Cupido (82) brings to the Colorado Mammoth? (Photo: Adam Borgstahl)
What's not to love about the heart and hustle Joey Cupido (82) brings to the Colorado Mammoth? (Photo: Adam Borgstahl)

Up and down the floor this National Lacrosse League season, we saw a talented rookie class contribute. Who was the best? That’s objective, of course. Different systems employed by different teams make different uses of the different talents. We knew Mark Matthews was a shooter and a scorer, and he proved that in Edmonton as the Rush scored a franchise record 203 goals. Kiel Matisz and Shayne Jackson weren’t far behind in Minnesota with their offense, and Joey Cupido’s speed in transition was a most righteous display in Colorado. Dhane Smith’s versatility in Buffalo had a wow-factor and Tyler Garrison helped muscle up a much-improved Washington defense. It all comes down to who you ask and maybe even when you ask. But there’s little doubt that by and large, the rookies of 2013 belong and are preparing themselves to carry the NLL into a new generation. READ MORE »

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IL Indoor, National Lacrosse League, Rookie Report

NLL Week 15 Rookie Report: Production from young guns helped Bandits snap skid

April 16th, 2013 by Bob Chavez

Kevin Brownell, left, played a big part in Buffalo's season-saving victory in Washington on Saturday. (Photo: Dan Brodie)
Kevin Brownell, left, played a big part in Buffalo's season-saving victory in Washington on Saturday. (Photo: Dan Brodie)

There were a variety of factors in Buffalo’s 15-10 win over Washington on Saturday that brought an end to the team’s 6-game losing streak. You can point to Kurtis Wagar’s 33 saves, or the team’s 65-58 edge in loose balls. You can even point to the Bandits scoring 8 goals in the fourth quarter. But you’d be remiss to discount the impact of the rookies. The production of Kevin Brownell (1-4), Jordan Critch (2-2) and Dhane Smith (1-2) was the biggest of the season so far for Buffalo. And it couldn’t have come at a better time as the Bandits avoided playoff elimination and set up a juicy season finale with rival Rochester. Both teams come into the game fighting for their playoff lives. And while Rochester doesn’t play rookies this season, the Bandits can only hope the trio maintains its form on Saturday because that’s the type of balance that wins games. And Saturday’s result in Washington proved that. READ MORE »

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IL Indoor, National Lacrosse League, Rookie Report

NLL Week 14 Rookie Report: Edmonton’s Matthews continues his drive straight to top

April 9th, 2013 by Bob Chavez

Mark Matthews is drawing attention as the NLL's top rookie, on the floor and in league awards. (Photo: Dale MacMillan)
Mark Matthews is drawing attention as the NLL's top rookie, on the floor and in league awards. (Photo: Dale MacMillan)

This is about as anti-climactic as it can get. We’re talking about who will be crowned the National Lacrosse League’s Rookie of the Year for 2013, and is there any doubt that Team 22’s Mark Matthews will get the nod? He’s doing what we all thought he’d do in providing offense and balance as the No. 1 overall pick by the Edmonton Rush. He’s been named Rookie of the Week twice and Offensive Player of the Week once, but last week he was named the NLL’s Rookie of the Month for the third straight month. In case you’re counting, the NLL season is in its fourth month so yeah, he’s won all 3 months. There is plenty of talent among the rookies this season, but it would take nothing short of a miracle for any of them to unseat Matthews from his perch. But that doesn’t mean we’ll ignore the rest of the rookie class as we break down how the rooks did in Week 14 of NLL action. READ MORE »

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IL Indoor, National Lacrosse League, Rookie Report

NLL Week 13 Rookie Report: Angus Dineley gets his first taste of NLL with Philadelphia

April 2nd, 2013 by Bob Chavez

Goalie Angus Dineley got an NLL lesson in his debut with the Wings on Friday night. (Photo: Adam Borgstahl)
Goalie Angus Dineley got an NLL lesson in his debut with the Wings on Friday night. (Photo: Adam Borgstahl)

You got the start on Friday, kid. Nevermind that you’re stepping in for a goalie who has been one of the best this season and nevermind too that we’re fighting for our playoff lives. Oh, and we’re also on the road against a Minnesota Swarm team that’s known for its transition game. Welcome to the National Lacrosse League, Angus Dineley. “There was definitely some nerves,” Dineley told ILIndoor. “But once the game started and I got a few shots, I got settled in.” The situation that Dineley and backup Alex Fortier found themselves in Friday night certainly qualifies as trial by fire. Neither had ever played an NLL minute. But with Brandon Miller serving a 1-game suspension, the 2 rookies were called into service by the Wings and Dineley, the former Canisius goalie who has played for Team Canada in the field, got the nod as the starter for Friday’s game in Minnesota. How did it go? READ MORE »

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IL Indoor, National Lacrosse League, Rookie Report

NLL Week 12 Rookie Report: Depth of this year’s freshman class is among the best

March 26th, 2013 by Bob Chavez

Buffalo transition man Jordan Critch, left, is the latest rookie to make his NLL debut for the 2013 season. (Photo: NLL)
Buffalo transition man Jordan Critch, left, is the latest rookie to make his NLL debut for the 2013 season. (Photo: NLL)

The National Lacrosse League debut of Jordan Critch for the Buffalo Bandits last weekend means that 21 of the first 23 entry draft picks have played at least 1 game this season. And it’s not a stretch to assume that it could very well have been 23 of 23 if not for injuries to the 2 players who haven’t dressed. The 2 players were both drafted by the Toronto Rock, Bradley Kri No. 14 overall and Mike Lum-Walker at No. 20. Kri, a 6-4, 212-pound defender, tweaked his hamstring and was signed to the practice roster. He ended up playing hockey with the Niagara Falls Canucks, scoring 35 points (7-28) in 44 games as alternate captain. Lum-Walker, a 6-foot, 195-pound defender, injured his knee in a preseason practice and is out for the season. Why do we mention this? Because for as much hype as there was for last season’s class of rookies, this current crop of freshman is pretty much on par. With that, let’s see how the 2013 rookies did last weekend. READ MORE »

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IL Indoor, National Lacrosse League, Rookie Report

NLL Week 11 Rookie Report: Matthews keeps on rolling, Cupido jumps into mix

March 19th, 2013 by Bob Chavez

Joey Cupido (82) has brought a speedy dimension to the Mammoth's transition game. (Photo: Dan Brodie)
Joey Cupido (82) has brought a speedy dimension to the Mammoth's transition game. (Photo: Dan Brodie)

The Rookie Report for Week 11 of the National Lacrosse League includes a couple of new names. It’s not that the play of Joey Cupido in Colorado has gone unnoticed by ILIndoor. It’s more an issue of his rookie eligibility since he played in 1 game last season. But the NLL told ILIndoor that 3 games in a season is the maximum a player can appear in and still be considered a rookie the following season. So Cupido’s efforts are recognized this week as part of the rookie class. Mammoth goalie Tye Belanger, who was named the league’s Rookie of the Week last week, also is included but his status as a true rookie is somewhat unclear since he did appear in 3 games (and dressed in 6) for the 2012 Mammoth. The NLL says it’s looking into it and will have a ruling on Belanger’s status soon. Until then, our newest Rookie Report. READ MORE »

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IL Indoor, National Lacrosse League, Rookie Report

Rookie Report: Matthews on pace to break rookie record for goals in an NLL season

March 12th, 2013 by Bob Chavez

Mark Matthews is averaging nearly 3 goals per game for the Edmonton Rush this season. (Photo: NLL)
Mark Matthews is averaging nearly 3 goals per game for the Edmonton Rush this season. (Photo: NLL)

Mark Matthews is so good, we’re writing about him even after he didn’t play last weekend. The Edmonton Rush may have had the weekend off, but we thought it prudent to point out that although he no longer leads the National Lacrosse League in goals scored, his 28 goals through 10 games is on pace to break the NLL record for most goals by a rookie in a single season. The clip he’s on now projects to about 45 goals, which would easily surpass the record of 37, set by John Grant Jr. during his 2000 season with the Rochester Knighthawks. Overall, Matthews is on pace for a 74-point season, which would fall short of the record of 89, set by the Stealth’s Rhys Duch in 2009. That said, let’s take a look at how the rookies of the NLL stack up after 10 weeks of action. READ MORE »

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2011 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship, B.C. Junior A, CLA, Futures Report, IL Indoor, Inside Lacrosse, International, National Lacrosse League, Off the Rug, Road to the Minto Cup, Rookie Report, The Ballers, The Buzz, The Life, Victoria Shamrocks

Did the Jr. Shamrocks just open European pipeline in signing Czech young gun Pesek?

March 7th, 2013 by Teddy Jenner

Dominik Pesek about to, as Patrick Merrill puts it, 'Run right by me' during a friendly before the 2011 World Championships.
Dominik Pesek about to, as Patrick Merrill puts it, 'Run right by me' during a friendly before the 2011 World Championships.

Quick: when I say “Czech Republic” what sport do you think of? OK, step out the lacrosse box for a minute and take an unbiased stance. Most people will automatically think hockey, soccer or even tennis as the dominant sports, producing names such as Dominik Hasek, Jaromir Jagr, Peter Nedved, Martina Navratilova, Ivan Lendl. Well, while he may not be in the upper echelon of Czech athletes, one name lacrosse fans can start to get used to is the newest member of the Victoria Jr Shamrocks: Dominik Pesek. READ MORE »

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IL Indoor, National Lacrosse League, Rookie Report

NLL Week 9 Rookie Report: Newest crop of freshmen building case for talented depth

March 5th, 2013 by Bob Chavez

Shayne Jackson has scored at least 2 points in all 9 games for Minnesota this season. (Photo: Scott Pierson)
Shayne Jackson has scored at least 2 points in all 9 games for Minnesota this season. (Photo: Scott Pierson)

We’ve watched 9 weeks of the National Lacrosse League season and we’re still getting firsts. As in No. 38 overall pick Matt Hummel making his NLL debut for the Rochester Knighthawks last weekend. Hummel was the last pick of the fourth round in last year’s entry draft, but he’s not even the lowest pick to see action this season. That distinction belongs to Washington’s Kyle Buchanan, who was the No. 48 pick overall. But then we got to looking at the top half of the 2012 draft list and it’s worth noting that 17 of the top 20 picks have played in at least 1 game. Impressive, no doubt. But it still can’t match the 2011 draft class where not only did each of the first 21 draft picks see time in at least 1 game last year, but all 21 are on active rosters today. And with that, we offer our newest Rookie Report for the 2013 season. READ MORE »

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IL Indoor, National Lacrosse League, Rookie Report

NLL Week 8 Rookie Report: Matthews is real deal, but he’s not the only rookie doing well

February 26th, 2013 by Bob Chavez

Joe Resetarits has been a steady presence for Calgary in his rookie NLL season. (Photo: Dan Brodie)
Joe Resetarits has been a steady presence for Calgary in his rookie NLL season. (Photo: Dan Brodie)

So far this season, it’s pretty clear who the most effective scoring rookie is in the National Lacrosse League. No one’s gonna argue Mark Matthews. But what about after that? There is plenty of talent on the list, but the thing about this year’s crop of rookies is that the talent is so diverse. Shayne Jackson is showing off his slick skills week in and week out in Minnesota, and teammate Kiel Matisz has been a steady producer as well. Joe Resetarits is doing Americans proud in Calgary and defenders Michael Manley and CJ Costabile were doing their part in a big weekend sweep for the Wings. And in Buffalo, Dhane Smith is showing he can do a little bit of everything for the Bandits. It all depends on which facet of the game you like best, but the point here is that there is talent up and down the floor for this year’s rookies. The latest installment of the Rookie Report follows. READ MORE »

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