DULUTH, Ga. (August 30, 2021) – The Georgia Swarm selected 10 players in the 2021 NLL Entry Draft on Saturday, August 28. The team drafted four transition players, three forwards, two defensemen and one goalie. The Swarm traded their ninth overall pick to the San Diego Seals in exchange for a 2022 first-round pick as well as traded their 56th overall pick to the New York Riptide for a fourth-round pick in the 2022 Draft.
“The draft allowed us to select ten excellent young players, and just as importantly, quality people who would fit very well into the Swarm organization, Swarm Head Coach Ed Comeau said.
Georgia had the second overall draft pick and started the night selecting Ryan Lanchbury. The right-handed forward from Burlington, Ontario ranks second all-time in the University of Richmond’s scoring history with 212 points (122 goals, 90 assists). Lanchbury has started 53 of the 54 games he has played in as a Spider picking up All-America honorable mention, SoCon Offensive Player of the Year, First Team All-Conference and All-Tournament Team accolades while being named to the Tewaaraton Award watch list in 2020-21.
“As is the Swarm’s philosophy, we draft players who bring both talent and character and this year is no exception” Swarm Owner and GM John Arlotta said. “Ryan Lanchbury is a great example – he is a captain and leader on an NCAA playoff caliber team at the University of Richmond, and he has consistently been one of the top players in the Canadian Junior A and Senior box lacrosse leagues.”
“We were very pleased to select Ryan Lanchbury with the 2nd overall pick in the draft,” Comeau said. “He is a gifted offensive player but also possesses great character, and in speaking with his past coaches they all reiterated the quality of Lanchbury and as player and a person.”
The Swarm took four players in the second round starting with RT Jordan Ackie who was taken 24th overall. During the 2020 season with Maryville University, Ackie contributed to both of squad’s only wins and played in four games overall while taking two shots. Ackie is a strong defender who plays a key role in transition as well as can line up to take faceoffs.
Georgia had back-to-back selections in the second round and next drafted the 6’4” goaltender from Oakville Jr. A/Harford Community College, Aden Walsh. Walsh made 31 saves during the 2021 season producing a .646 save percentage with HCC. He totaled 160:46 minutes in net playing in seven games while totaling two wins.
With the 30th pick in the draft, the Swarm took RT Thomas Semple from Coquitlam/Young Harris College. During the shortened 2020 season, Semple notched 14 goals and five assists across six games with YHC. Semple transferred to Young Harris from Denver University after his freshman season.
The final second round selection was LT Will Cecile out of Burlington Jr. A. Cecile, an asset in transition due to his speed and creativity played in 11 games and scored two goals with the Burlington Chiefs in 2019. During the World Junior Lacrosse Championship in Winnipeg, Cecile scored three game-winning goals.
The Swarm drafted three players in the third round starting with RF Devin Pipher (Mimico Jr. A/Mercyhurst). Pipher, a right-handed forward has started all 36 games he has played with the Lakers recording 68 goals, 101 assists, 69 ground balls and 14 caused turnovers. Pipher earned USILA and US Lacrosse Magazine Third Team All-America honors in 2021.
With the 41st pick in the draft the Swarm took the righty defender, Owen Russell from Victoria Jr. A. Since 2019, Russell has played in 34 games with the Victoria Shamrocks registering eight points and a .143 shooting percentage.
The Swarm had back-to-back picks once again and took T Morrison Mirer from the University of Notre Dame 42nd overall. Mirer, the 6’2” California native, has played in 33 games with the Fighting Irish totaling 24 goals, one assist, nine ground balls and a .587 shot on goal percentage. During the 2021 NCAA Tournament he notched two goals in the win over Drexel University (5/15).
Georgia’s next selection was 71st overall where they chose another player out of Notre Dame, T Wheaton Jackoboice. Jackoboice has netted 44 shots with the Fighting Irish while recording 33 assists, 28 ground balls and a .565 shot on goal percentage. Jackoboice recorded three hat tricks during the 2021 season and led the squad in goals during the NCAA Tournament after netting seven.
The Swarm closed out the night drafting D Brad Apgar out of Salisbury University 85th overall. The 6’4” defender was named to the Inside Lacrosse Maverik All-America First Team in 2020 after starting all seven games with the squad while recording 16 ground balls and 10 caused turnovers. During the 2021 season he picked up 39 ground balls and caused 26 turnovers. As a Seagull, Apgar has totaled 115 ground balls, 70 caused turnovers, and one goal.
“We couldn’t be more excited with our selections in the 2021 NLL Entry Draft,” Arlotta said. “We were also [in addition to Lanchbury] able to draft three young defensive players and a goalie from the Junior A ranks in Jordan Ackie, Will Cecile, Owen Russell, and Aden Walsh who will create great competition on the defensive side of the ball. Finally, Thomas Semple is a great addition to the right side of our offense.”
