The Peterborough Timbermen made 13 selections at the 2022 Arena Lacrosse League entry draft this past weekend.
The Timbermen did not have picks in the first and third rounds. Their first selection, in the second round, was forward Jake Gasperetti of Ottawa, who plays with the Sr. B Capital Region Axemen in the summer, a team that is coached by Timbermen GM/Head Coach Joe Sullivan.
Gasperetti finished eighth in Quebec Senior Lacrosse League scoring with 23 points in nine games and added a further 15 points in 11 playoff games as the Axemen represented the QSLL at the President’s Cup this summer. Axemen teammates include Timbermen Fred Hartley, Jordan Hendrycks, Mark Vradenburg, Todd Chapman, Kaleb Bingley, Lyman Beatty and Scotty Taylor.
“Jake Gasperetti won’t be in our league for long,” stated Sullivan. “He has speed, finish and an excellent lacrosse IQ. What makes Jake an elite NLL prospect is his commitment to being the best and his tireless efforts studying the game. Jake’s speed is reminiscent of what we have seen from former Timberman and now NLL standout Colton Armstrong.”
Peterborough’s other draft picks are:
- 4 – Ben Doherty, Oakville – righty defenseman from the Jr. A St. Catharines Athletics
- 5 – Bryce Dennis, Oshawa – righty forward from the Clarington Green Gaels
- 6 – Colton McNutt – lefty forward from the Clarington Green Gaels
- 7 – Connor Curtis, Whitby – lefty forward from the Jr. C Whitby Warriors and Trent Excalibur
- 8 – Darien Jacobs, Curve Lake – from the Sr. C Lakefield Rage
- 9 – Michael Mayes, Stoney Creek – lefty forward from the Jr. B Hamilton Bengals and Sr. C Toronto Lightning
- 10 – Jordan Trottier, Ottawa – lefty forward from the NLL’s Panther City Lacrosse Club
- 10 – Tristan Jackson, Toronto – from the University of Guelph Gryphons
- 11 – Morgan Bedlington, Peterborough – from the U22 Peterborough Timbermen and Ennismore James Gang
- 12 – Andrew Lagana, Peterborough – goaltender from the Jr. C Lakers
- 12 – Scott Arsenault, Peterborough – from the Jr. C Lakers
- 12 – Wyatt King, Barrie – from the Jr. C Barrie Bombers
The annual combine and draft were held in Brampton, the home of the newest ALL franchise, the Brampton Express. The Express had the first overall draft pick and selected forward Carter Zavitz from St. Catharines.
The Timbermen’s season is quickly approaching; they open on the road Friday, December 16 at Brampton’s Memorial Arena vs the Express. Their home opener is set for Saturday, December 31 at 1 p.m. at Millbrook Arena.