Predicting the PLL Goalie Draft Order | Lax Goalie Rat

Predicting the PLL Goalie Draft Order

PLLGoalieRankings

Edit: They ended up just pre-selecting the teams so this whole post is moot haha. I also listed Blaze at #8…that’s embarrassing. 

In case you’ve been living under a rock where’s there no lacrosse or news, you’ve already heard about the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL).

A new, tour-based professional men’s outdoor league spearheaded by Paul Rabil. The PLL has attracted the top professionals with increased pay, equity in the league, and them sweet, sweet healthcare bennies!

The league will start in June of 2019.

The players have already been announced and sometime before that there will be a draft to determine the rosters of the 6 teams.

The PLL Goalies

Here are the goalies announced who will be participating in PLL:

A couple of immediate thoughts.

Seems like they’re missing a goalie, no? If there are 6 teams, you should have a starter and a backup for each team. I only count 11 goalies.

Edit: On 12/8/2018 the PLL announced more names joining the league including the great Brett Queener so the goalie count is now at 12. I already added him to the list above and included him in my rankings. 

The PLL has made the claim that they’re getting the best talent in the world. Going through this list, that’s a pretty accurate claim.

All of these guys are goalies who have proven themselves either at the college level, the pro level, the international level, or all three.

That’s a solid group of goaltenders and it’s interesting to think that half of these guys will be backups. Perhaps we’ll see some splitting of halves or splitting of games when the PLL comes to town.

A few other goalies that I think are the top in the sport right now that I’m surprised didn’t make the move – Brian Phipps, Dillon Ward, Nico Amato, and Austin Kaut.

PLL Goalie Draft Order

So here’s my prediction of how the draft order goes in terms of the order of just goalies. As I mentioned the list is stacked.

1. John Galloway

Stats: 29 yrs old. 6’0″ 188lbs. Syracuse, NY. Syracuse 2011. 

Simply put John Galloway is at the top of his game right now.

Galloway is a 3-time MLL goalie of the year winning his most recent award just last year.

He also stepped into the starter role and helped Team USA win a gold medal in the 2018 world games.

Anyone who watches Galloway plays knows that’s he a great ball stopper, a great leader, and brings a ton of energy to the game!

Watching his highlights, you can just feel the energy he brings to the team:

At just 29 years of age, you gotta figure the ex-Syracuse star will still be in his prime years for a few more seasons.

He’s the head coach of the Jacksonville University Dolphins lacrosse program so we know he understands the game and how to lead men.

If I was building a PLL team John Galloway would be my top pick for a goalie.

Listen to my podcast with Coach Galloway.

2. Jack Kelly

Stats: 24 yrs old. 6’1″ 195lbs. West Islip, NY.  Brown 2016 

For the last two years, Jack has earned the top ranking amongst goalies for all players in the MLL.

He was the starter on Team USA until he suffered a knee injury. But that injury didn’t stop him from helping the team win gold…

Those that know Jack will tell you, he’s the real deal.

The Denver Outlaws selected Kelly in the 7th round (57th overall) of the 2016 MLL Collegiate Draft. That was a steal as Kelly’s rookie season earned him MLL rookie of the year honors in 2016.

I think he goes much higher than that in the PLL draft.

Jack is a great goalie and an even better teammate and he’s my pick for the second goalie off the board when the PLL drafts.

We also know Jack can snipe it full field.

3. Drew Adams

Stats: 32 yrs old. 6’1″ 195lbs.  Springfield, PA. Penn State 2009 

Adams has enjoyed a successful career in the MLL and should make a smooth transition to dominating the new league.

He’s the owner of an MLL championship. A 4-time MLL All-Star and voted goalie of the year in the 2011, 2012, and 2015 seasons.

3-time goalie of the year including back-to-back seasons? Hmmmmm yes I’ll take that for my team.

He also played with the Team USA team that won silver in the 2014 World Games.

The big, tall lefty takes up a lot of cage and simply dominates with straight steeze (that’s style and ease for those lacking the lax slang).

Drew Adams is my pick for the third goalie off the board.

4. Kyle Bernlohr

Stats: 26 yrs old. 5’10” 160lbs. Akron, OH. Maryland 2016

With a save percentage of 57% and an MLL championship already under his belt, Kyle Bernlohr is making sure no one sleeps on him.

One of the few goalies on this list that has an NCAA and an MLL championship and Bernlohr is still very young.

He led the MLL in save percentage in 2017.

Bernlohr also owns the greatest save ever in our game –

Kyle Bernlohr is my pick for the fourth goalie off the board.

5. Adam Ghitelman

Stats: 31 yrs old. 5’9″ 180lbs. Cold Spring, NY. Virginia 2011

Adam Ghitelman

Pains me to put Adam so low on this list as he’s personally my favorite goalie. But as I mentioned the talent in this group is tremendous.

I wrote up a full post talking about Ghitelman’s game and we recorded a podcast together, so I’m not going rehash all the reasons I think Adam is a great goalie.

But the passion, energy, and pure joy with which he plays the game is something you’ll want in a starting goalie.

He’s been the starting goalie for the MLL Atlanta Blaze for the past few seasons.

Ghitelman is the 5th goalie off the board in my PLL mock goalie draft.

6. Scotty Rodgers

Stats: 31 yrs old. 6’4″ 250lbs. Wantagh, NY. Notre Dame 2010 

Scott Rodgers

Gotta include the Big Rig in my top 6 as I think he deserves a starting spot.

Bottom line – I want this guy on my team. The intensity he brings to the table is second-to-none.

Scotty is the type of guy that if he was taken as the 6th goalie in the draft, he’d use that as a chip on his shoulder to become the best the goalie the PLL has ever seen.

As a goalie, you want a leader and you want someone who will motivate and push the team to succeed. That’s what Scotty Rodgers stands for.

At 6’4″ 265lbs he’s a monster at our position that started his Occupy the Crease movement.

Even when he was a backup that didn’t stop him from continuing to get better and be a leader of the team. Those are the types of guys you want on your team.

The Big Rig was the 2016 MLL All-Star MVP.

7. Charlie Cipriano

Stats: 28 yrs old. 5’11” 175lbs.  Williston Park, NY. Fairfield 2012 

CharlieCipriano

An All-American goalie out of Fairfield University, Charlie Cipriano has been the starting keeper for the Charlotte Hounds for the last 2 years.

With 6 years of MLL experience under his belt, you know Charlie will make a smooth transition to the new PLL.

Check out my interview with Charlie Cipriano.

I predict Charlie to the seventh goalie off the board.

8. Blaze Riorden

Stats: 24 yrs old. 6’0″ 215lbs. Fairport, NY. Albany 2016.

BlazeRiorden

As a member of the Dallas Rattlers Blaze has served as a backup for John Galloway so you know he’s getting a world-class goalie education.

Blaze stick skills and knowledge of lacrosse are so strong that he actually plays in the NLL (indoor lacrosse) as a field player.

The ex-Albany standout goalie is a big man and a great goalie.

You can’t mention Blaze without including this video of his full-field run for a goal:

Check out my interview with Blaze Riorden.

9. Brett Queener

Stats: 34 yrs old. 5’10” 180lbs.  Penn Yan, NY. Albany 2008.

Brett Queener is the goalie I always wanted to be. A smaller frame like mine and just a pure athlete.

If you haven’t seen Queener play do yourself a favor and watch these highlights:

Brett Queener is another guy who plays field goalie in the outdoor but has such strong stick skills and general lacrosse IQ that he plays with a shortie in the indoor league (NLL).

With Queener you get more than highlight reel full field clears. The dude brings a ton of energy to whatever team he’s on and an amazing ball stopping ability.

At 34 he is getting up there in age but I like Queener as the 9th goalie off the board.

10. Jack Concannon

Stats: 22 yrs old. 6’2″ 170lbs.  Syosset, NY. Hofstra 2018.

The pride of Hofstra University, Jack Concannon was the first goalie off the board in the 2018 MLL draft.

But at just 22 years of age, Jack is one of the younger goalies in the PLL. For comparison, Paul Rabil was selected in the 2008 MLL draft.

I think with a few years of seasoning Jack could easily be one of the best goalies in the league but for now he’s my #10 goalie off the board.

Listen to my podcast with Jack Concannon.

11. Dan Morris

Stats: 24 yrs old. 6’1″ 208lbs.  Dallas, TX. Maryland 2018 

DanMorris

Dan is a great goalie but as most pro goalies will tell you, it takes some time to adjust to the speed of the professional game.

Both in the number of shots you see and in the speed and accuracy of those shots.

The game is simply different and some of the things that made you a successful collegiate goalie need to improve upon for success at the next level.

So I think Dan will see some tremendous improvement as he gets some experience in the PLL.

Check out my interview with Dan Morris.

12. Gunnar Waldt

Stats: 26 yrs old. 5’11” 230lbs. Freeland, MD. Bryant 2016 

GunnarWaldtGoalie

To be fair, I don’t know a lot about Gunnar.

He played his college ball at Bryant University and I haven’t really watched him play.

He was taken by the Florida Launch in the 2016 draft and I haven’t really watched him play there either as he mostly backed up their starter Austin Kaut.

I could totally be sleeping on Gunnar by putting him last but Lax Goalie Rat doesn’t have a team of scouts that travel the world and provide me with feedback for this post. Yet. Sorry Gunnar.

So Gunnar is my last goalie off the board.

Checkout my podcast with Gunnar Waldt.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

The best goalies in the world.

A post shared by Premier Lacrosse League (@pll) on

Conclusion

There we go. My prediction for how the goalies come off the board when the PLL does its draft. It goes like this:

  1. John Galloway
  2. Jack Kelly
  3. Drew Adams
  4. Kyle Bernlohr
  5. Adam Ghitelman
  6. Scotty Rodgers
  7. Charlie Cipriano
  8. Blaze Riorden
  9. Brett Queener
  10. Jack Concannon
  11. Dan Morris
  12. Gunnar Waldt

What do you think of my PLL goalie rankings? Disagree? Let me hear it the comments down below.

Until next time! Coach Damon

Visited 1 times, 1 visit(s) today

P.S. - Whenever you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you:

1. Lax Goalie Rat Academy - The Lax Goalie Rat Academy is a premier membership program that gives you the tools and skillset to level up your goalie game. Technique, drills, mental game, lacrosse IQ and direct coaching from Coach Damon to turn your goalie into a leader and a confident save machine. Join 400+ goalies inside.

2. Lacrosse Goalie Super Mom/Dad - Some call lacrosse goalie the hardest position in sports. That's not true. It's the goalie Mom or Dad. I put together this course specially for the parents who know nothing about lacrosse but still want to help their son or daughter be the best they can be. Learn how to train them but more importantly learn how to support them on this emotional rollercoaster.

3. Promote yourself to 11,000+ subscribers by sponsoring my newsletter.

2 thoughts on “Predicting the PLL Goalie Draft Order

  1. I think you have a solid list, however I’m slightly confused about a couple of things on your list.

    In your predication for the draft, you have Jack Concannon going fourth overall ahead of two former MLL Champion goalies in Scotty Rodgers and Kyle Bernlohr. Plus you mentioned in Dan Morris’s intro the time it takes to get used to the professional level. Why won’t it be the same for the Pride of the Pride. Don’t get me wrong, I think Concannon’s talent does deserve him the fourth spot but he won’t get drafted that high.
    I could honestly see someone doing exactly what the Machine did with Bernlohr where they draft Big Rig, then get one of the younger goalies like Concannon or Gunnar Waldt.

    Speaking of Gunnar Waldt. All you need to do to find out what kind of dominate goalie this guy can be is go back and watch the first round of the 2014 NCAA playoffs where he, in my opinion, lead the upset of Syracuse when he was at Bryant. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6XpfFDJUTM that’s the link to the highlights to wet your whistle.

    As always, great content! Keep it up!

    1. Thanks for the comment Max! I actually had Concannon going ninth – I screwed up the final list in the conclusion but just fixed it now. Agree with you on the analysis – he’ll need some time to adapt. Thanks for wetting the whistle with some sweet Gunnar highlights haha

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • LacrosseMonkey Ad

    Free Ship
  • Nutty Buddy

    NuttyBuddy Protection
  • Universal Lacrosse

    Universal Lacrosse Goalie Gear
  • Sticky

    Lacrosse Goalie Book
  • Want virtual goalie coaching sessions from the best  coaches in the game? Look no further...

    The Lacrosse Goalie Summit replays give you access to best goalie coaching out there. Coaches like Ted Bergman, John Galloway, Matt Deluca, Brian Phipps, Kyle Bernlohr, Liz Hogan, Caylee Waters, Lyndsey Munoz, Chris Buck, Taylor Moreno, Sean Quirk, Goaliesmith, Meg Taylor, Drake Porter, Emily Sterling, Brett Dobson, and so many more. These sessions give your youth the confidence and the tools to be amazing in the crease!

    arrow right

    Click an event to learn more about the goalie coaching sessions included! 

    arrow left
    Lacrosse Goalie Summit 1
    Lacrosse Goalie Summit 2
    Lacrosse Goalie Summit 3
    Lacrosse Goalie Summit 4
    Lacrosse Goalie Summit 5
    Lacrosse Goalie Summit 6
    Lacrosse Goalie Summit 7

    Join The

    Lax Goalie Rat Online Camp

    Full Goalie Education

    The only lacrosse goalie training that covers ALL of the areas necessary to be dominant: technical, physical, and mental.

    Over 80 Videos Yours For Life

    Revisit the drills and mental inspiration every season! Plus new videos added to the camp are yours for free.

    Supportive Community

    Access to private forums to interact with other goalies, coaches, and Coach Damon on a personal basis.

    CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE