Former Great Dane Mike Woods Drafted 16th Overall in the NLL

OAKVILLE, Ontario - Former University at Albany standout Mike Woods was drafted 16th overall by the Toronto Rock in the 2013 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft yesterday.

"The Albany lacrosse family is thrilled that another Great Dane has been drafted into the NLL," says UAlbany head coach Scott Marr.  "We are all excited for Mike and his family that he was drafted by Toronto and will represent his home province."

Woods, a native of Newmarket, a town in the Greater Toronto area, will get to suit up for his hometown team, the defending NLL East Division champion.  Last year, the Rock was 10-6, finishing with the best record in league.

He impressed scouts before and on Draft Day.  Rated #28 among draft-eligible players by ILIndoor.com, Woods was drafted 12 spots above his projected draft status as a player who continued to improve and had impressive offensive and defensive skills.

Woods played 64 games for UAlbany from 2010-13. serving the team as a short stick defensive midfielder.  In 2013, he earned Second Team All-America East with 20 ground balls and four goals in transition, helping UAlbany win the conference title.  Woods scored the second goal of the contest for the Great Danes in the NCAA First Round game against Denver.

Several Great Danes have played box lacrosse in the professional ranks.  Most recently, Joe Resetarits was taken sixth overall by the Calgary Roughnecks in 2012.  On the 2013 draft day, Resetarits was traded to the Buffalo Bandits, his hometown team.  He along with Woods, Mike Ammann, Steve Ammann, Dave Brock, Jordan Levine, Brett Queener, Frank Resetarits, Corey Small, and Merrick Thomson are former Great Danes that have played in the NLL.

The first game for the Rock will be on January 3rd when Toronto hosts Calgary at 7:30 p.m. at the Air Canada Centre.