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JU: Five Men’s Lacrosse Players Selected in the 2022 NLL Draft; Three ‘Phins Taken in the First Round!

Written by Lee Roggenburg on . Posted in , , , .

via JU press release

Toronto, Ontario – Five Jacksonville University men’s lacrosse players heard their named called Saturday evening in the 2022 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft, held at The Carlu in downtown Toronto.

The Dolphins had three of the first 12 selections in the draft, with Dylan Watson (#2 overall, Las Vegas Desert Dogs), Zack Deaken (#8 overall, New York Riptide), and Bo BowHunter (#12 overall, Halifax Thunderbirds) heard their names called early in the draft. Jacksonville was one of three schools with multiple selections in the first round.

In the third round, Troy Hettinger became the fourth ‘Phin to hear his named selected, going 57th overall to the Philadelphia Wings. In the six round, Max Waldbaum rounded out the Jacksonville draft selections, going 103rd overall to the Philadelphia Wings.

“I am sure the outside world is surprised to see five guys in our program get drafted to the NLL today,” head coach John Galloway said. “What I can tell you is the people who know our team and these guys are not surprised at all. Obviously, this group is headlined by Dylan Watson, Zack Deaken and Bo BowHunter. These three have been playing the indoor game for a long time to achieve what they accomplished today. I am so happy for them and their families to have their well deserved moment in the sun today. They will have long and illustrious careers in the NLL, and I can’t wait to follow them. As for Troy and Max, I believe both will succeed in the league for one reason: they are fighters. These two understand what it takes to win, and that translates in any sport. One thing I know is I got a lot of new NLL team gear to buy. I can’t wait to get back to work with these guys on Monday!”

A transfer from Georgetown, Watson joins the Dolphins after being named an All-American by USA Lacrosse Magazine and the USILA. Watson was named the 2022 Big East Attackman of the Year, following his 58 goal showing in the spring. Watson averaged 3.41 goals per game for the Hoyas, good for fourth in the nation.

Named a 2022 USILA Preseason All-American, Deaken appeared in 16 contests for Jacksonville this past spring. Named to the 2022 SoCon Tournament Team, Deaken was a SoCon First Team choice in 2021, and a Second Team selection in 2019. The Orangeville, Ontario product has appeared in 49 contests during his time at JU, collecting 101 groundballs and causing 49 turnovers.


BowHunter appeared in 39 games during his time at Jacksonville, appearing in 16 contests this spring for the nationally ranked Dolphins. In his career, the Ohswaken, Ontario native recorded 29 goals and seven assists.


The three first round selections is the first time in Jacksonville University history with multiple first round draft selections in the same draft. Watson and Deaken’s top-10 selections becomes the first time in JU history the Dolphins had a top-10 draft selection in a professional league draft.

Named a Team Captain prior to this past season, Hettinger was named a Midseason All-American this year by Inside Lacrosse, also collecting All-American honors courtesy of USA Lacrosse Magazine. A 2022 SoCon First Team choice, Hettinger has scored 21 goals as a ‘Phin, recording 60 groundballs and causing 15 turnovers during his career.

A Tewaaraton Award Watch List member in 2022, Waldbaum collected All-American recognition from USA Lacrosse Magazine, USILA and Inside Lacrosse this spring. In his first season at JU, Waldbaum broke the single-season program record for points in a season, with 72. Waldbaum had 14 multi-goal efforts including nine games with three-plus goals, on his way to the second most goals in a campaign, with 48. A SoCon First Team selection, Waldbaum was named a Team Captain prior to last season.

The 2022 draft is the second straight season the Dolphins had had multiple draft picks in the NLL draft, as Jeremy Winston and Colin Hinton heard their named called a year ago by the Halifax Thunderbirds. After today’s draft, nine Dolphins have heard their named selected in the NLL Entry Draft in program history.

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