San Diego Seals Select Nine Players In 2018 NLL Expansion Draft

(SAN DIEGO, July 16, 2018) – Marking another major milestone in the expansion team’s history, the San Diego Seals added eight players to their roster on Monday afternoon in the NLL Expansion Draft. A ninth player and an Entry Draft selection were also acquired.

Left-handed forward Turner Evans was the Seals’ first-round pick (second overall). The 24-year-old has played two seasons with Toronto, registering 20 goals, 52 assists and 108 loose balls in 26 games.

“Turner is a great young lefty offensive player,” said Seals general manager and head coach Patrick Merrill. “He is a quality person with a very high lacrosse IQ. He is known around the league for his playmaking and finishing skills, and I can’t wait for the fans in San Diego to see him play.”

Saskatchewan’s assistant captain, Brett Mydske (Mid-Skee), was San Diego’s second-round selection. A nine-year NLL veteran, Mydske has played in 152 career games. He became the Rush’s all-time leader in games played in 2017, and led the Rush to championships in three of the last four seasons.

The Seals then selected Mydske’s teammate, Adrian Sorichetti (Sore-ik-ety). The strong lefty appeared in all 18 games for Saskatchewan in 2017-18, registering a career-high 15 points from the back end. Recognized for his grit and reliability, Sorichetti caused 20 or more turnovers in each of the past three seasons.

Colorado Mammoth defenseman Cam Holding was a fourth-rounder who was previously recognized by a leading industry publication as a top-50 player in the League. Holding has played in 102 career NLL games, recording 22 goals, 62 assists and 639 loose balls. The 6-1, 210-pound lefty ranked fourth in the NLL in 2017 with 160 loose balls. An ACL injury prevented Holding from playing in 2017-18.

The San Diego Seals selected Bryce Sweeting from the Colorado Mammoth with their fifth-round pick. He was then traded to Buffalo for defenseman Ethan Schott (SHAHT) and the Bandits’ second-round selection in September’s Entry Draft.

Veteran goaltender Frank Scigliano (SHILL-ee-AN-oh) has seven years of experience between the pipes with the Calgary Roughnecks, boasting a .765% career save percentage. He was San Diego’s sixth pick.

With its seventh-round selection, the Seals drafted 29-year-old defenseman Garrett McIntosh. He recorded career-highs in goals, assists and loose balls last season. Like Scigliano, McIntosh had spent his entire career in Calgary.

Vancouver’s Casey Jackson was taken by San Diego in the eighth round. Jackson suited up for four games with Vancouver during the 2017-18 season, netting six goals, four assists and 11 loose balls.

The Seals rounded out their draft by acquiring the rights to Vancouver’s Brendan Ranford. The defenseman spent the last five years playing professional hockey in the Dallas Stars organization.

“We’ve drafted a strong foundation,” said Merrill. “All nine of the players are quality guys on and off the floor. I couldn’t be more excited to build around this group.”

SAN DIEGO SEALS SELECTIONS

2018 NLL EXPANSION DRAFT

*Subsequently traded to Buffalo for Ethan Schott and its 2nd round selection in the 2018 NLL Entry Draft

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