"Proud day for Six Nations lacrosse fans as eight drafted to NLL"

The NLL Draft is obviously a magical moment where athletes come with family and dream about hearing their names called.

On Monday September 22nd at the National Lacrosse League Draft at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre, approximately 55 players including eight with Six Nations ties in Quinn Powless, Joe Maracle, Rodd Squire, Josh Johnson, Brier Jonathan, Ian Martin, Anthony Patterson and Zach Williams lives changed as they officially heard their names being announced which signifies that they have finally made it.

After pulling off a pre-draft shocking blockbuster trade involving Six Nations scorer Johnny Powless the defending NLL champs Rochester Knighthawks stock piled on some Six Nations talent as they chose Brier Jonathan (27th overall) along with Ian Martin (37th) and defenseman Anthony Patterson (46th) who all helped the Six Nations Arrows capture their first Minto Cup since 2007.

Also selected late was transition man Zach Williams who played a key role in helping the Six Nations Rebels capture another Founders Cup.

In a four year span shut down defenseman Brier Jonathan played in 36 games for the Arrows where he scored seven goals and 20 assists.

Meanwhile, in Martin, the Knighthawks drafted a player with an impressive resume which includes winning three straight Founders Cups (2011-2013) and, of course the Minto. In his first year with the Arrows Martin impressed with 19 goals and 50 points in only 30 games.

"Everyone knows what a successful organization it is," Martin said about the Knighthawks. "I am at a loss for words. It is a real honour."

Last year the Arrows ranked number one in defence allowing an average of only 6.55 goals per game and besides Jonathan, another big reason for that, was Anthony Patterson who is 6 foot 3 and is coming off a seven goal 13 point season. "We like big bodies that can move. That is what our defence is built around," Knighthawks assistant General Manager Landon Miller said. "We want him to come in and compete for a job."

With Williams who plays transition for the Junior 'B' Rebels the Knighthawks get a three time Founders Cup winner who in 2013 took home the Craig Monture Memorial Trophy as Rebels most sportsmanlike player. Joe Maracle who was selected by Minnesota in the second round is coming off a breakout playoffs which saw him score 22 goals and 39 points in only 13 games for the Minto Cup champions.

Also playing key roles were his teammates Quinn Powless who scored 72 points in 20 regular season games along with 42 playoff points which played a big role in him going first round to New England.

Powless will be joined by Arrows teammate Josh Johnson who scored 27 playoff points and was selected third round by New England.

Other Six Nations talent include Miles Thompson who finished as the U Albany's all-time points leader (293) and goals leader with (189). Not surprisingly Thompson didn't have to wait long as he was drafted third overall by Minnesota.

New England also ended up stock piling Six Nations talent and picked Mann Cup winner Rodd Squire second round, as the journey now begins for 55 young hopefuls to get in shape and impress come training camp time.