True to his roots, Denver Outlaws general manager Brian Reese ultimately used his first draft pick Tuesday on a shutdown defenseman in the Major League Lacrosse expansion draft. Reese likes defense and players from Maryland.
He selected Michael Howley, who was not available at the outset, having been protected by the Rochester Rattlers. But after taking unprotected Rattlers star John Grant Jr. with the first pick and third overall, Reese traded Grant back to Rochester for the 24-year-old Howley, a 2003 Terrapins All-American who moved to Denver in September.
In the trade, the Outlaws – who begin play in May as one of four expansion teams – also received a second-round pick in the collegiate draft. Reese has a trade pending to send midfielder A.J. Haugen, his second pick (sixth overall) back to the Long Island Lizards.
Attackman Michael Watson was the No. 1 player selected, by Los Angeles, and midfielder Chris Rotelli went second to San Francisco. Both players were taken from the Boston Cannons.
Denver acquired 13 players in the 13 rounds, seven of whom are under the age of 24.
“They’re young, hungry and still have a lot to prove,” Reese said. “They can come to Denver, grow roots and be part of the community.”
Moments before Denver’s third pick, Baltimore reclaimed Gavin Prout, preventing Reese from selecting the National Lacrosse League all-pro from the Colorado Mammoth. Instead, Reese picked Benson Erwin, a 23-year-old midfielder who helped Johns Hopkins win the 2005 NCAA championship.
“We figured one of the two would be available, Gavin or Benson,” Reese said. “Benson is a great athlete and a great kid and he’s the type of guy who will do whatever the coach asks.”
In the fourth round, Denver took 30-year-old offensive-minded midfielder David Curry, followed by 6-foot-3 attackman Tim Goettleman, who owns the MLL record for most goals in a game with nine.
The sixth-round pick, 22- year-old midfielder Ben Grinnell, broke into the lineup for two late-season games last summer as a rookie for the New Jersey Pride, earning MLL rookie of the week honors.
Denver obtained its second defender in the seventh round, 22-year-old Tom Garvey.
