The Premier Lacrosse League conducted its first-ever expansion draft with Waterdogs LC coach Andy Copelan selecting the team’s inaugural eighteen players from the league’s unprotected player list.
The draft was held at NBC Sports Studios in Stamford, CT and saw Andy Copelan make his picks, while Paul Burmeister hosted and PLL analyst Ryan Boyle provided analysis on each of Copelan’s picks.
When asked about his team’s selections Copelan stated, “Today is a great day for the Waterdogs LC. My staff and I couldn’t be more excited to join forces with these eighteen talented players and winners. This draft class is versatile, well balanced and made up of guys of the highest character.”
Pick
Player
Position
Former Team
1.
Connor Kelly
Midfield
Whipsnakes
2.
Christian Cuccinello
Attack
Archers
3.
Brodie Merrill
Defense
Chaos
4.
Charlie Cipriano
Goalkeeper
Chaos
5.
Ben Reeves
Attack
Whipsnakes
6.
Kyle McClancy
Midfield
Chaos
7.
Kieran McArdle
Attack
Atlas
8.
Brian Karalunas
Defense
Redwoods
9.
Ben McIntosh
Midfield
Archers
10.
Drew Snider
Midfield
Whipsnakes
11.
Ryan Drenner
Attack
Whipsnakes
12.
Noah Richard
LSM
Atlas
13.
Steven DeNapoli
SSDM
Atlas
14.
Wes Berg
Attack
Redwoods
15.
Chris Sabia
Defense
Chrome
16.
Ryan Conrad
Midfield
Atlas
17.
Dan Eipp
Midfield
Archers
18.
Drew Simoneau
Faceoff
Chrome
The roster features some obvious picks, as well as a few that were unexpected. Some notable players that were available, but went undrafted and will return to their original teams are:
Adam Ghitelman (G, Archers) Austin Pifanni (D, Atlas) Cade Van Raaphorst (Atlas) Chris Cloutier (A, Atlas) Curtis Dickson (A, Chaos) Jack Kelly (G, Redwoods) Jack Near (M, Redwoods) Joe Fletcher (D, Chrome) Joel Tinney (M, Atlas) Joey Sankey (A/M, Archers) Miles Thompson (A, Chaos) Pat Harbeson (M, Redwoods) Romar Dennis (M, Chrome) Sergio Salcido (M, Redwoods)
Waterdogs LC is the first PLL expansion team and will join the original six clubs this summer in the PLL’s second season. Let us know your thoughts on the Waterdogs roster and which picks surprised you the most in the comments.
Hutton Jackson is a professional video editor, co-founder/host of Pro Lacrosse Talk and editor-in-chief of Lacrosse Playground. He is also an Emmy-winning associate producer with two major sports networks and oversees Lacrosse Playground's video content as the head coordinating producer. Hutton played four years of college lacrosse at DeSales University where his highest lacrosse accolade was being named to Inside Lacrosse's 2014 All-Name Team with current pros Challen Rogers, Deemer Class and Larken Kemp, an honor that didn't require stepping on the field. When he's not writing on lacrosse, he can usually be found diving around the crease in your local men's league and ranting about Baltimore and D.C. professional sports.
Oliver Marti: Starting an NLL Team in Albany and Investing in the PLL and Epoch Lacrosse (Pro Lacrosse Talk Podcast #130)
byPro Lacrosse Talk
On this episode of the Pro Lacrosse Talk Podcast, Hutton Jackson and Adam Moore are joined by three-time All-American at Brown University, investor in the PLL, and the newest NLL owner Oliver Marti. He discusses moving the New England Black Wolves franchise to Albany, New York, why the city of Albany was chosen and share his thoughts on the team’s potential new identity. He also discusses his time playing for Dom Starsia at Brown University, playing for the New York Saints in the MILL, starting the Connecticut Box Lacrosse League, investing in the Premier Lacrosse League and equipment manufacturer Epoch Lacrosse, and his opinion on the current state of pro lacrosse.
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Pro Lacrosse Talk is the flagship lacrosse podcast of the Lacrosse Playground network covering all three professional lacrosse leagues (NLL, PLL, Athletes Unlimited). Each week throughout the season we’ll recap the games, provide analysis on the teams and feature exclusive postgame and off-the-field interviews with professional lacrosse players, coaches and executives. If you’re a fan of lacrosse podcasts like the Unbuckled Chinstrap, The Inside Feed, Lacrosse Classified or The Crease Dive, then give us a listen.