Three Storylines to Watch in the 2026 NLL Entry Draft

Photo: NLL / x.com

September 24, 20268 min read

The next generation of National Lacrosse League talent will learn where it is headed tonight.

The 2026 NLL Entry Draft begins at 6 p.m. ET and 4 p.m. MT, with the first round streaming through the NLL’s Facebook and YouTube channels.

There will be 67 selections made, beginning with the Rochester Knighthawks at first overall. The Toronto Rock, Vancouver Warriors, Las Vegas Desert Dogs and San Diego Seals complete the top five.

This year’s class is led by several accomplished right-handed forwards, but the intrigue extends well beyond the opening selections. Multiple teams control more than one first-round pick, Calgary possesses more total draft capital than any other organization and several defenders could challenge the forwards expected to dominate the beginning of the night.

Here are three of the biggest storylines entering the 2026 NLL Entry Draft, followed by four prospects outside the current top five who could make noise.

1. Which Right-Handed Forward Goes First Overall?

Rochester will open the draft with several legitimate options.

Silas Richmond, Finn Thomson and Joey Spallina have separated themselves as the most prominent right-handed forwards in the class.

Richmond played his collegiate lacrosse at UAlbany and continued his box development with the Port Coquitlam Saints, Delta Islanders and Burnaby Lakers. He also gained professional field experience with the Philadelphia Waterdogs.

Thomson developed through the Mimico Mountaineers organization before playing senior lacrosse with the Brampton Excelsiors. His combination of box experience, size and offensive intelligence helped him become a major part of Syracuse’s attack before joining the California Redwoods.

Spallina is the most recognizable name of the group following an outstanding collegiate career at Syracuse. He also possesses significant box experience through the Orangeville Northmen and Snake Island Muskies.

On The Clock Lacrosse placed Richmond, Thomson and Spallina first, second and third on its final public big board. Inside Lacrosse’s Stephen Stamp also identified the same three players as the leading group in his final prospect rankings, although in a different order.

That leaves Rochester with a decision that could determine how the rest of the opening round unfolds.

The Knighthawks can select the player they believe possesses the highest offensive ceiling, prioritize the prospect most prepared to contribute immediately or potentially entertain trade interest from another team seeking its preferred right-handed forward.

Richmond may enter the night with momentum as the leading player on On The Clock’s final board, but Thomson and Spallina would hardly qualify as surprises at first overall.

2. Calgary Has the Draft Capital to Control the First Round

No team enters tonight with more flexibility than the Calgary Roughnecks.

Calgary owns nine selections, including the seventh, 10th and 14th picks in the first round. The Roughnecks also select at 31, 45, 51, 54, 64 and 65.

That gives Calgary several options.

The Roughnecks could remain patient and use all three first-round selections to add young talent at multiple positions. They could also package some of their draft capital to move higher if a preferred prospect begins to fall within reach.

Calgary is not the only organization with multiple opportunities in the opening round.

Las Vegas owns picks four and 11. Halifax will select consecutively at 12 and 13. Georgia holds picks nine and 15, while Vancouver owns picks three and 16. Toronto begins the night at second overall and returns to the board at No. 17.

Those clusters of selections could make the middle of the first round especially unpredictable.

The recent discontinuation of the Ottawa Black Bears and Philadelphia Wings also changed the shape of the draft. Neither organization will make a selection, while several of their previously traded picks remain controlled by other clubs.

Rochester may make the first decision, but Calgary has enough capital to influence the entire round.

3. How Early Will Teams Turn From Scoring to Defence?

The beginning of the draft could feature a run on offensive players.

Richmond, Thomson and Spallina headline the right side. Matt Collison offers one of the leading left-handed options, while transition player Dante Bowen brings a different blend of physicality and athleticism.

Once those players begin leaving the board, teams will have to decide how much they value proven defenders compared with the next tier of offensive prospects.

Michael White and Aaron Toguri are both ranked outside the leading five on On The Clock’s final board, but either could become one of the safest selections in the first round.

White brings the type of frame teams look for in a professional defender. Toguri offers a left-handed defensive presence with the ability to turn stops into transition opportunities.

NLL teams do not always need their first-round selections to become high-volume scorers. A defender capable of matching up against elite forwards, winning loose balls and making dependable decisions can become just as valuable.

If one team prioritizes defence earlier than expected, it could create a run on the position and push another talented forward further down the board.

Four Prospects Outside the Top Five Who Could Make Noise

Michael White, Right-Handed Defender

White is listed at 6-foot-4 and 222 pounds, giving him one of the most NLL-ready physical profiles in the class.

He developed with the Whitby Warriors and gained senior experience with Brooklin Lacrosse Club. His game is built around physical defending, positioning and making simple decisions with possession.

White is not expected to generate significant offence, but that is not what a team will draft him to do.

His size and mobility give him the potential to defend professional forwards without requiring several years of physical development. For a team searching for a dependable defensive piece, White could provide better long-term value than his draft position suggests.

Aaron Toguri, Left-Handed Defender

Toguri may be one of the most complete defenders available.

He was named the OJLL Defender of the Year in 2025 and has experience with Mimico, Orangeville and the Cobourg Kodiaks. He also played collegiate field lacrosse at Jacksonville.

Toguri has shown the ability to handle difficult defensive assignments while remaining composed with the ball. He can push transition when an opportunity is available without abandoning his responsibilities to chase offence.

Left-handed defenders with his combination of experience, awareness and transition ability are valuable. Toguri may not generate the attention given to the leading forwards, but he could become a regular contributor relatively quickly.

David Anderson, Right-Handed Forward

Anderson is another player who could benefit if teams begin addressing needs rather than following a strict prospect ranking.

The Yale product developed with the Toronto Beaches and has since played senior box lacrosse with the Six Nations Rivermen and Six Nations Chiefs.

That senior experience matters.

Anderson has already played within demanding offensive systems and against established professional defenders. His lacrosse intelligence, vision and ability to finish give him a realistic opportunity to outperform where he is selected.

He may not carry the same profile as Richmond, Thomson or Spallina, but the gap between the first group of right-handed forwards and the next tier may not be as wide as the draft order eventually suggests.

Marcus Khan, Goaltender

Goaltenders remain one of the most difficult positions to project in an NLL draft.

Khan may nevertheless offer one of the highest long-term returns available outside the leading group.

The young goaltender has played with Langley and Coquitlam in British Columbia and has already faced substantial shot volume at the Junior A level. During the 2025 season, he posted an .873 save percentage for Langley while regularly keeping his team competitive.

Khan combines size, reaction speed and strong ball distribution. His ability to start transition with accurate outlet passes adds another dimension to his value.

He may require development behind an established professional goaltender, but teams do not often find young goaltenders with his physical tools and composure.

Khan could be selected later than the defenders and forwards listed above, yet ultimately become one of the most valuable players to emerge from the class.

Jeremy Wudrick, Right-Handed Forward

For lacrosse fans in Alberta and Saskatchewan, Jeremy Wudrick may be the most interesting player to follow tonight.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound right-handed forward developed through the Saskatchewan SWAT program before spending time with both the Calgary Mountaineers and Edmonton Miners in the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League.

Wudrick eventually moved west and was selected first overall by the Nanaimo Timbermen in the 2026 WLA Draft.

He finished fifth in Nanaimo scoring this summer, recording 13 goals and 28 points in 17 games while competing against senior players, including several established NLL defenders. He also completed his collegiate career at Lander University with eight goals and 16 points during his senior season.

Wudrick’s value begins with his size, but he is not simply a crease player. He has the athleticism and hands to finish from different areas of the floor and has shown that he can remain productive against older, more physical competition.

Stephen Stamp ranked Wudrick 36th in his final draft rankings, while Saskatchewan reporting has projected him as a possible late first-round or early second-round selection.

That range makes Saskatchewan especially interesting. The Rush own the eighth and 20th selections, and Wudrick grew up around the organization as a ball boy before developing into one of Saskatchewan’s leading professional prospects.

The eighth pick would be considerably earlier than his current public ranking, but the 20th selection could place the hometown connection directly in play.

Wudrick is likely the first RMLL-developed player who will hear his name tonight. He may also have the clearest path to becoming an offensive contributor at the professional level.

Other RMLL names worth monitoring include Brinley Wilson of the Calgary Raiders, 2026 RMJALL Defensive Player of the Year Zach Moen, former Edmonton Miners defender Ben Vanderkley and Alberta product Alex Lemieux.

A Draft With Several Possible Turning Points

The first overall selection will receive most of the attention, but tonight’s draft will not be defined by one player.

Rochester must choose between several talented forwards. Calgary possesses enough selections to move around the board. Las Vegas, Halifax, Georgia, Vancouver and Toronto all have multiple first-round opportunities.

The strength of the defensive group could alter the middle of the round, while a team willing to remain patient with Khan could secure its future in goal.

Richmond, Thomson, Spallina, Bowen and Collison enter the night as the leading names on one of the most prominent public boards.

The success of the 2026 draft class, however, may eventually be determined by what happens after those five players are gone.