6 OJBLL Players Taken In MSL Draft
Major Series Lacrosse held its annual entry draft of graduating Junior players Sunday January 25th in Whitby. 29 players were selected overall, the Ontario Junior B Lacrosse League played their part with six players being selected from the rosters of the OJBLL.
Leading the charge for the OJBLL, Michael MacDonald of Halton Hills was selected third overall by the Brampton Excelsiors. MacDonald did not suit up in 2014, but put up 69 points in 2013 for the Bulldogs in 12 games, to go with 22 points in 5 playoff games. MacDonald’s booming outside shot will translate well to the Senior level.
Jayson Crawford of Halton Hills was selected twelfth overall by the KW Kodiaks. Crawford, who is shining with the Barrie Blizzard of the Canadian Lacrosse League, helped lead the Bulldogs to the 2014 OJBLL finals. Known as perhaps one of the fastest players in the OBJLL in 2014, he put up 19 goals, along with 26 assists in 19 regular season games for the Bulldogs, adding another 15 points during their long playoff run.
Drafted nineteenth overall by the Brampton Excelsiors, Joel Shepley of the Wallaceburg Red Devils represents the only OJBLL Western Conference player drafted during the MSL draft. Shepley put up 113 points for the Red Devils over 107 regular season games with the Far-West division squad, adding another 19 points through 18 playoff games in his Red Devils career. Shepley will keep a stick in his hands this winter playing with the Southwest Cyclops of the Canadian Lacrosse League.
Alex Brennan of the Green Gaels was taken twentieth overall by the Peterborough Lakers. Always a dependable defensive player, Brennan provided leadership on the backdoor for the Gaels. He returned to the Gaels after two years with the Mississauga Tomahawks Junior A program and put up 33 points over 51 regular season games as a Gael. Brennan will continue to improve his game with the Barrie Blizzard in the Canadian Lacrosse League this winter. His strong transition game will serve him well moving up from the Junior ranks.
Taken surprisingly low in the draft, Seth Laidlaw of the Halton Hills Bulldogs went to the KW Kodiaks with the twenty-second overall pick. Laidlaw battled injuries throughout the summer which may have lowered his draft stock, but when he did dress he put up huge numbers. Over five seasons with the Bulldogs, Laidlaw put up 294 points in only 77 regular season games, along with 153 points in 51 playoff games. Perhaps the steal of the draft, Laidlaw will be a key contributor to the KW roster.
Colton Watkinson of the Oakville Buzz was the twenty-ninth player taken in the draft, selected by the Brooklin Redmen. Watkinson was a dynamic player for the Buzz playing both ends of the floor. He was often asked to cover the top shooters of the opposition, and he still managed to put up 27 points in 2014 in only 9 regular season games. Watkinson’s physique and style will translate very well to the Senior game, and he will certainly not be easily pushed around on the floor.
