Sports: Powells Ready To Port Not Rumble

Today, the NLL held a Dispersal Draft due to the suspension of operations of its Anaheim Storm Franchise. The rules for the Dispersal Draft are simple: Edmonton picked first, followed by this year's other expansion team the Portland Lumberjax. This was followed by San Jose, Minnesota, Philadelphia, Colorado, Calgary, Rochester, Arizona who got the pick via Buffalo, Arizona again, and then Portland to end the first round. The second round was Edmonton, Portland, San Jose, Minnesota, and Philadelphia. As each team made a pick, they also had to release a player from their 23 man roster. Edmonton and Portland were exempt from the releases since they don't yet have full rosters.

During the draft, the "PRIZE" was 6'1" All-Star Forward Casey Powell of Newport Beach, California, who was taken second overall by the Lumberjax. Powell's brother Ryan was taken 15th overall by the Minnesota Swarm.

Drafted Players

Edmonton: Rory Glaves and Damien Davis

Portland: Casey Powell, Scott Stewart and Adam Bysouth

San Jose: Matt Roik and Mike Law

Minnesota: Bruce Murray and Ryan Powell

Philadelphia: Peter Morgan and Pat Jones

Colorado: Bill Greer

Calgary: Matt King

Rochester: Cam Bergman

Arizona: Chris McElroy and Matt Dwane

Released Players

San Jose: Josh Bergey and Luke Gilbert

Minnesota: Shawn Summerfield and Mike Attwood

Philadelphia: Byan Bendig and Brian Cole

Colorado: Paul Gait

Calgary: Ted Dowling

Rochester: Tim Sudan

Arizona: Marc Cochrane and Chris Panos

Post Draft Action

Portland reunited the Powell brothers after trading Brock Boyle, a 3rd round pick in the August Draft and 1st round pick in the 2006 Entry Draft to Minnesota for Peter Morgan, Damien Davis, Pat Jones, and Ryan Powell. Portland also picked up goaltender Matt King from Calgary in exchange for Portland's 2nd round selection in the August Draft.

More post draft action can be found here:

http://www.nll.com/article_1942.shtml

Side Note

Edmonton and Portland didn't have to release any players.

The Colliegate Draft will take place around August 25th.

Photo: Casey Powell, Credit: Zoom in Digital

Official Site: National Lacrosse League (NLL)