The Vancouver Stealth added five new players via the National Lacrosse League draft — or six if you add in some draft-day wheeling and dealing.
Heading back to @yvrairport after a great @NLL draft. Excited for the new faces about to start their careers with @StealthLAX
— Doug Locker (@DougLocker1) September 19, 2017
The Stealth acquired an extra player and pick in exchange, shipping left-handed forward Jordan Durston to the Buffalo Bandits in exchange for right-side forward Anthony Malcolm and the 12th overall pick in Monday’s draft.
The team used that pick to select transition player Ryan Fournier, a jack of all trades type who could fill a variety of roles.
”I like to think I do it all — I play offence, I play defence, I won a Minto Cup playing transition and I love to take face-offs,” he told the team’s website following his selection. “I can play wherever I am needed to help the Stealth.”
In junior B, Fournier put up 119 goals and 206 points in 48 games.
With the team’s remaining four picks, they selected Sam DeGroot — the BC Junior A Lacrosse League’s Most Inspirational Player — Jeff Wittig, Eric Kratz and Andrew Gallant.
Congrats to our own Jeff Wittig on being selected 39th overall by the @StealthLAX!! @NLL #2017drAft #JDubs #17 #stealth #legAcy pic.twitter.com/eUPQXce47u
— St.Catharines Jr.A's (@StCatharinesJrA) September 19, 2017
DeGroot had 39 goals and 86 points last season as captain of the Port Coquitlam Saints, while Wing is an offensive left-hander from the St. Catherines Athletics, where he racked up 81 goals and 183 points in 73 career games.
Kratz is another award-winner from the BCJALL, earning the Monty Leahy Award as the top goaltender.
Great selection by the @StealthLAX grabbing @BCJALL Goalie of the Year @Kratzy24_nll
— Jr A Salmonbellies (@BelliesJrA) September 19, 2017
The New Westminster Salmonbellies goalie had a 6.15 goals against average and an .845 save percentage in 2017.
The Stealth’s final pick was Andrew Gallant. Playing junior B with the Windsor Clippers, Gallant had144 goals and 437 points in 99 career regular season games.
As for Vancouver’s pre-draft trade, they swapped one third-year pro for another, albeit one who plays on the opposite side of the floor. Both were second round picks in 2015. with Malcolm going 11th overall and Durston 19th
Malcolm has 29 goals and 69 points in 26 career games while Durston counters with 42 goals and 81 points in 35 games.