
EXCELSIORS BOLSTER LINE-UP
SELECT SECORE FIRST AT 2001 OLA JUNIOR “A” DRAFT

By Ron MacSpadyen: MEDIA RELEASE Tuesday January 16, 2001 TORONTO -- The Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA) today announced the release of the 2001 OLA Junior “A” Draft. Andy Secore of Hamilton, Ontario was selected first overall by the Brampton Excelsiors. Secore, age eligible for Midget lacrosse last year, played with the Junior “A” Excelsiors during the 2000 season. In eighteen games, he collected 20 points (11g, 9a) and will now return to Brampton to help lead one of the league’s youngest teams. The Orillia Rama Kings, with the second pick, selected one of the top two-way players from the OLA Midget series. Eric Beatty of the Oakville Hawks finished fourth in overall scoring (16g, 13a, 29 pts) in nine games at the 2000 OLA Provincial Qualifiers. Other early first round selections were Mickey Gilchrist of Nepean, picked third by Toronto Beaches; Jamie Rooney of Arthur selected fourth by the Mississauga Tomahawks and Trevor Wagar of Guelph picked fifth by the Burlington Chiefs. According to OLA Junior “A” Commissioner Dean McLeod, the Junior “A” Draft was initiated in 1976 as a vehicle to provide the top graduating, non-affiliated, Midget players with an opportunity to showcase their skills at the Junior “A” level. “Additionally,” says McLeod, “the draft helps create parity among league members by establishing selections based on reverse order of finish from the previous season. A significant number of draft choices over the years have participated in Minto Cup championships and won individual league awards.” The quest for parity was the story of the 2001 Draft. The teams who fought for the final playoff spot last season, Toronto, Orillia and Brampton, seriously advanced their prospects on draft day. Brampton had four picks overall, Toronto three and Orillia two (second and ninth overall). As well, the Burlington Chiefs, with three selections in the first round (fifth, eighth and eleventh) might have had their best draft ever as a franchise. " We are delighted with the quality of the players that we drafted,” said Toronto GM Fraser McDonald after the meeting. “We are confident that these players, along with our graduating Midgets from the Toronto Beaches minor program, will have terrific Junior careers. Collectively they will make a significant contribution to our club." In all, sixteen players were selected. A complete Draft list follows


The OLA 2001 Jr"A" Draft


Team Picking       


2000 Reverse    
Order of Finish      1st Round                   2cd Round


Brampton             Brampton                    Brampton 
                     Andy Secore                 Mike Carnegie
                     (Hamilton)                  (London)



Orillia              Orillia                     St.Catharines
                     Eric Beatty                 Jamie Floris
                     (Oakville)                  (N.O.T.L.)



Toronto              Toronto                     Toronto
                     Mickey Gilchrist            Kevin Pihl
                     (Nepean)                    (Toronto)



K-W                  Mississauga                  K-W
                     Jamie Rooney                 Pass
                     (Arthur)                    



Burlington           Burlington                   Brampton
                     Trevor Wager                 B.J.Brown
                     (Guelph)                     (Caledon)



Peterborough         Peterborough                 Peterborough
                     Brad Holbrough               Pass
                     (Sarnia)                     



St.Catharines        K-W                           Brampton   
                     Pass                          Ryan Pare
                                                   (London)



Mississauga           Burlington                    Mississauga
                      Nathan Gilchrist              Travis Fowlie
                      (Brantford)                   (Arthur)

 

Whitby                Orillia                       Peterborough
                      Darren Jaeckle                Pass
                      (Fort Erie)                   

 

Orangeville           Toronto                       Orangeville
                      Mike Dube                     Pass
                      (Halton Hills)                



Six Nations           Burlington                     Six Nations
                      Kevin Olmstead                 Pass
                      (Mimico)