via the Launch web site  

Author’s Note:  Here’s the link to last season’s Supplemental Draft, you’ll notice that a number of the picks contributed meaningfully to the team last season!

http://www.new.floridalacrossenews.com/live-coverage-of-the-mll-supplemental-draft/

 

On January 17, Major League Lacrosse will hold its annual Supplemental Draft starting at 2 P.M. This draft includes 12 exciting rounds where teams will select players to add to their rosters for the 2018 season. Any player not currently on a team’s 23-man protected roster is eligible to be picked up. Based off of the results from the 2017 season, the Boston Cannons get the first pick in the 2018 Supplemental Draft, while the Launch will receive the seventh pick in the first round. The Supplemental Draft is the first step to build on the success of last season and start forming a championship team entering the new season starting April 22. Head Coach Tom Mariano is interested in selecting players that will contribute to the team’s success in the upcoming season. His main focus going into draft day is depth, specifically looking for increased “midfield, goalie and defensive strength”. The draft gives Coach Mariano the opportunity to find players who may be under the radar now in the player pool but who can be a great fit for the team culture and vision going forward. In last year’s Supplemental Draft, our coaches picked up notable, talented players who were a huge part to the post-season run we had in 2017. Last year draftee’s include midfielders Martin Bowes, Mike Unterstein, and Reagan Harding, as well as face-off specialist Will Gural, and defenseman Sean Meagher. Bowes played in nine games for the Launch in 2017 and is currently on our protected roster, as is Mike Unterstein, another key addition to the team in last season. Unterstein played in all 15 Launch games, recording four points while contributing 26 groundballs. Our number one overall pick in the 2017 Supplemental Draft was Will Gural who saw action in 12 games, winning 165 out of 335 total face-offs throughout the season and was instrumental in our playoff push. Sean Meagher, selected in the sixth round, played in nine games. All players picked up in this year’s draft will join the following on the 40-man roster to get ready for our official Training Camp in April! Ryan Drenner (A) Kieran McArdle (A) Dylan Molloy (A) Steve Pontrello (A) Tim Barber (M) Martin Bowes (M) Steven Brooks (M) Connor Buczek (M) Nick Mariano (M) Sean Meagher (D) Mark McNeill (M) Sergio Salcido (M) Michael Tagliaferri (M) Mike Unterstein (M) Brian von Bargen (M) John Yozzo-Scaperrotta (M) Liam Byrnes (D) Tucker Durkin (D) Jarrod Neumann (D) Alec Tulett (D) Chris Mattes (F/O) Kevin Reisman (F/O) Austin Kaut (G) Just as excited as us to see who joins the squad this month? Stay tuned on our Twitter (@florida_launch) to get live updates on draft day! And be on the lookout for more info on our website highlighting the new additions to the team!