Two local kids highlight lacrosse draft

Tyler Lowey
Times Reporter

 

Two local lacrosse players were selected at the top of the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League (RMLL) Junior B Tier 1 draft.
The Okotoks Marauders drafted Turner Dirk of Holy Cross Collegiate with the No. 1 overall selection Feb. 4, while Liam Iversen of Strathmore High School was taken right behind him by the Rockyview Silvertips.
It will mark the first time in seven years the two athletes will play on different teams. They played for Strathmore Lacrosse Club since novice and spent last season with the Rockyview Rage.
“Turner is a great kid. When we were doing our homework, chatting with over 100 different players and their families, Turner really impressed us with his love for lacrosse and his commitment level,” said Marauders assistant coach Ryan Hobday.
“I was pretty excited to hear that I went first overall, I didn’t think I was going until the fourth round,” said Dirk, who enjoyed Junior B action last year when he was called up with the Rockyview Silvertips for a few games. “It is going to be a big jump, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Last season, Dirk amassed 26 goals and 33 assists in 22 games for the Rage. The Marauders were impressed with his ball control, competitive level and the way he sees the floor.
“He has a great nose for the net,” said Hobday. “When he gets one-on-one with a guy, you know he is going to finish each time.”
The Marauders were awarded the first-overall selection after going 3-17 last season.
Selecting second were the Silvertips, and they already knew everything about the player they were going to pick.
Cam Foss will be one of the co-coaches for the Silvertips this season, and worked with Dirk and Iversen behind the bench of the Rage last year.
“We are pumped to have Liam,” said Foss. “I know him very well from last year and I think we made the right pick.”
Like Dirk, Iversen wasn’t expecting to go this high in the draft. He was out hanging with his friends when he got a call from his dad, saying he went second overall in the draft.
“I was shocked to find out that I was drafted this high and excited to learn that Turner went No. 1,” said Iveresen. “It is going to feel a little weird the first time I play against him.”
The Silvertips went 6-14 last season.
Iversen excels in the transition game, taking the ball up the floor and igniting his offence. Last season, he registered 10 goals and 36 assists in 22 games.
“He’s going to be a great player for us in transition. He is athletic, fast and he moves the ball up well,” said Foss.
It was a productive draft for the Rage, as they also saw six other players selected.
Teams have begun running training camp practices once a week, learning what their team will look like in the season once May rolls around.