CLL
CLL
Twelve Canada Alumni Selected in 2021 NLL Draft
On August 28, 2021 ten (10) players who have represented Canada at the IIJL World Junior Lacrosse Championship shared in an unforgettable experience when they heard or read their names announced on TSN and NLL.com and being selected in the 2021 NLL Draft.
The players selected hail from all three Junior A leagues, including collegiate experience in the NCAA and CUFLA. Of the twelve (12) Canada players selected six (6) have not taken the collegiate route. Players from five (5) different provinces, including a rare appearance by Manitoba with Troy Gutowski, who led the 2021 WJLC with 10 Assists, was selected 60th overall in the 5th round.
The night for Canada Alumni started with a throwback when Ryan Barnable was selected by the Saskatchewan Rush in the 1st Round, 8th Overall. Ryan and Devin Pipher, who was selected in the 3rd Round, 37th Overall, played at the World Juniors for CLax representing Canada East back in 2016.
| OVERALL | PLAYER | NLL TEAM | JUNIOR TEAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1ST ROUND | |||
| 8TH | Ryan Barnable | Saskatchewan Rush | Whitby Warriors (OJLL) |
| 13TH | Jacob Dunbar | San Diego Seals | Port Coquitlam (BCJALL) |
| 14TH | Thomas Vaesen | Buffalo Bandits | Nanaimo Timbermen (BCJALL) |
| 2ND ROUND | |||
| 24TH | Jordan Ackie | Georgia Swarm | Kitchen-Waterloo Braves (OJLL) |
| 32ND | Will Cecile | Georgia Swarm | Burlington Chiefs (OJLL) |
3RD ROUND | |||
36TH | Bryce Schmermund | Vancouver Warriors | St. Albert Miners (RMJALL) |
| 37TH | Devin Pipher | Georgia Swarm | Mimico Mountaineers (OJLL) |
| 39TH | Kealan Pilon | Halifax Thunderbirds | St. Catharines Athletics (OJLL) |
4TH ROUND | |||
| 60TH | Troy Gutowski | Saskatchewan Rush | Saskatchewan SWAT (RMJALL) |
| 5TH ROUND | |||
| 75TH | Keagan White | Saskatchewan Rush | Saskatchewan SWAT (RMJALL) |
| 6TH ROUND | |||
| 80TH | Aiden Danby | Vancouver Warriors | Delta Islanders (BCJALL) |
| 86TH | Hunter Aggus | Buffalo Bandits | Six Nations Arrows (OJLL) |
Bringing things closer to more recent World Junior teams, Jacob Dunbar ('19) was selected in the 1st Round by the San Diego Seals 13th Overall. As a top producer in the shortened 2021 BCJALL season Jacob finished 3rd in Points (38), 2nd in Goals (29), and tied for 2nd in Points Per Game (4.8). Finishing out the Canada World Junior 1st Round selections was Thomas Vaesen being picked-up by the Buffalo Bandits 14th Overall.
The impressive list of Canada World Junior players includes eleven (11) Gold Medals, eight (8) Silver Medals, and four (4) Alternate Captains, and one (1) All-World Defender in Jordan Ackie - who was named to the All-World team at last month's 2021 World Junior in Winnipeg.
The 2021 NLL Draft was the second largest showing for Canada Alumni, with the highest being the 2020 NLL Draft where thirteen Alumni were selected.