Rookie Report: Thompson Sets Early Standard For 2015

The resume for Minnesota Swarm rookie Miles Thompson just keeps adding bullet points. Storied career at the University at Albany. Impressive showing with the Iroquois Nationals at WorldLax over the summer. Third overall pick in the 2014 NLL Draft. Hat tricks in both of his first two NLL games. Game-winning highlight-reel goal, featured on SportsCenter Top 10, 120 Sports and more, still buzzing in the lacrosse world (WATCH). So how do the experts at Inside Lacrosse feel about this year’s crop of rookies led by Thompson? Check out the NLL Rookie Report by Bob Chavez on IL Indoor.

“Another week, another 3 goals,” Chavez writes. “Is this something we’re going to get used to from Miles Thompson? The hype coming into the 2015 National Lacrosse League season was nothing short of immense, and it appears Mr. Thompson is living up to it. Because not only did he notch a second straight 3-goal game for the Minnesota Swarm last weekend, but he scored 1 beauty of a goal that landed him – and the league – on ESPN. Winning while growing the game. That’s not a bad combination as we head into our Rookie Report for Week 2 of the NLL.”

1. Miles Thompson (Minnesota Swarm): The right-handed forward out of Onondaga Nation scored 3 goals for the second straight game, one of which was a highlight reel goal that got the NLL some love on Sports Center. He also assisted on 1 goal and scooped 3 loose balls to help the Swarm get their first win of the season, at home against Edmonton, and even their record at 1-1. Through 2 games, he’s got 6 goals and final goal in Saturday’s game was the official game-winner.

2. Ben McIntosh (Edmonton Rush): He scored 2 goals and scooped 4 loose balls in Saturday’s road loss to Minnesota. He’s got 5 goals through 2 games and although the Rush are 0-2, right-hander out of Port Coquitlam is giving Edmonton the power and production from the right side it envisioned when it made him the No. 1 overall pick in September.

3. Quinn Powless (New England Black Wolves): The right-handed forward out of Ohsweken had 2 assists and scooped 5 loose balls to help the Black Wolves in their home win over Rochester. The Wolves are off to a 2-0 start and are the surprise leaders of the East Division early in the season. Offensive balance has been a big part of the early surge for New England, and Powless is an important part of that.

Click here to find the full list of first-year players highlighted on the Rookie Report on IL Indoor.