Seawolves Fans

Justin Pugal and Ryland Rees: Turning Dreams into Reality

However, Rees and Joe Spallina– the current New York Lizards General Manager and No.14-ranked Stony Brook Women’s Lacrosse head coach– assisted Pugal with scoring a tryout under Cannons head coach Sean Quirk. Pugal entered the tryout with the same mindset that he used on the Seawolves to prove his doubters wrong.

“I just keep my head down and work my butt off so if you notice me, you notice me– if you don’t, you don’t,” Pugal said. “I’m just a worker and go balls to the wall every time out there.”

The veteran chose the Lizards and returned to Long Island, playing just an hour away from Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium. Crowley also has another connection to Stony Brook– Lizards General Manager and No.14-ranked Stony Brook Women’s Lacrosse head coach– Joe Spallina. While he may no longer be on the sidelines, Spallina has advised Crowley on maintaining success in New York. 

“We talk quite often and even though he is no longer on the coaching staff,” Crowley said. “He still provides feedback and wants to help however he can beyond the administrative side of the operation. He is such a well respected guy so when he says something to you, you listen.”

1. Ryland Rees

RT, Burnaby Lakers & Stony Brook

Rees is a special athlete with a chance to be a player around whom you can build the core of your franchise. Just look at the difference Graeme Hossack makes and how teams have to prepare when they play against him. I don’t see Rees as being at the level of Hossack as a shutdown defender, but few players are, given that Hossack is the best defender to come into the NLL since Kyle Rubisch. Rees is, however, a very good defender with size, strength, speed and the stick skills to contribute in transition.

2. Rochester Knighthawks

Ryland Rees, RT | Burnaby Lakers & Stony Brook

No change from my Round 1 Mock here, either (that will be a theme for a good chunk of the first round). Rees is the clear choice for a Rochester team that built a pretty solid NLL offense through the expansion draft, trades and free agency. They got some good defenders, too, but have nowhere near the depth in that end of the floor that they do up front. Rees will be a big addition to address that balance.

 

After the expansion New York Riptide tagged Ontarian Tyson Gibson with the first overall selection, the Burnaby Lakers’ Ryland Rees was grabbed by the expansion franchise Rochester Knighthawks. It was the second straight year that Rees was chosen second in a draft.

The Langley native, who wrapped up his Stony Brook University last spring, made his Western Lacrosse Association debut earlier this summer after being picked second overall in the WLA draft.

Shout out to Big Cat @KevinCrowley21 on his nomination for 2⃣ awards at Saturday's @MLL_Lacrosse Honors!

-Corum Player's Choice Award
-David Huntley Man of the Year Award