Marcelo A. Sagüez, Correspondent Calgary Roughnecks
Lacrosse is Awesome©
The 2019 NLL Entry Draft in Philadelphia is now in the books and the Calgary Roughnecks can begin preparations to defend the Champions Cup.
Their first-round selections included Liam LeClair (seventh overall) and Haiden Dickson (eighth overall).
LeClair the Windsor, Ontario native was a member of the Canadian Minto Cup Champion Six Nations Arrows team in 2017. He just finished up his third season with the OJALL’s Six Nations Arrows. The 21 year old recorded 12 points (4g, 8a) in eight regular season games in 2019; and was named the 2019 Outstanding Defenseman in the OLA Jr. A circuit.
Dickson a native of Delta, BC played the majority of the last of two seasons in the BCJALL playing for the Delta Islanders. In 18 games he recorded 62 points (45g, 17a) before being traded to the Coquitlam Adanacs, where in two games he notched 11 points (5g, 6a). In 2018 at only 18 years old, Dickson won a gold medal with Team Canada at the World Junior Lacrosse Championships.
General manager Mike Board stated on this year’s seven-player selection, “We wanted to add depth on both sides of the ball; Liam LeClair is a big, strong defender while Haiden Dickson is a young player but one we feel has a big upside.”
A quote from the Calgary Roughnecks media release on behalf of LeClair said:
“I couldn’t be happier about it, to be honest,” said LeClair about being selected by Calgary. “My brother, Kellen, played there and has always said such great things about the Roughnecks organization. I’m excited to come into training camp and prove myself right away. It’s nice getting picked but now it’s time to earn my spot.”
A brief introduction to the 2019 Roughnecks player selection:
2019 CALGARY ROUGHNECKS DRAFT BOARD
| RND | O/A | PLAYER, POSITION, YOB, 2019 TEAM (LEAGUE) |
| 1 | 7 | Liam LeClair, D, 1998, Six Nations Arrows (OJALL) |
| 1 | 8 | Haiden Dickson, F, 2000, Delta Islanders/Coquitlam Adanacs (BCJALL) |
| 2 | 22 | Marshal King, F, 1997, Victoria Shamrocks (WLA)* |
| 3 | 40 | Nick Scott, D, 1999, Langley Thunder (WLA) |
| 3 | 46 | Landon Kells, G, 2000, Peterborough Lakers (OJALL) |
| 5 | 76 | Cordell Hastings, F, 1998, Calgary Shamrocks (RMLL) |
| 6 | 89 | Travis Getz, F, 1996, Brooklin Merchants (OLA) |
*Trade: The Calgary Roughnecks acquired the 22nd overall selection in the 2019 NLL Draft from the Georgia Swarm in exchange for a second round pick in 2021.
Mike Board went on to say the Roughnecks were pleased with their player selection and look forward to a competitive camp.
The Roughnecks home opener is on December 20 and they will host their Western Division rivals the Colorado Mammoth at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Marcelo A. Sagüez, Correspondent Calgary Roughnecks
Lacrosse is Awesome©