Chaos Lacrosse Club
This was the Jack Rowlett draft for head coach Andy Towers and Chaos. Three of Chaos’ five selections have some direct tie to Rowlett. Two play for the Georgetown Hoyas — where Rowlett has coached since 2021 — and the third is his brother, Michigan faceoff man Nick Rowlett.
Outside of that obvious cultural connection, this draft class was an interesting mesh of players. Georgetown defenseman Will Bown was taken seventh overall, and the reigning Schmeisser Award winner should instantly slot in alongside Rowlett in the formidable Chaos defense. Bowen is my favorite defender in this draft class and brings another athletic force to an already menacing back end.
His Georgetown teammate and Connecticut native Brian Minnicus, taken by Towers in the second round, is a much less natural fit. Chaos took off in 2020 and beyond by shifting to a true “box-on-the-field” offense built around two-man games and crafty Canadians. Minnicus is a talented college attackman with unique physical tools, but he doesn’t necessarily fit the mold of a Chaos attackman.
However, third-round selection Tye Kurtz absolutely does. The Delaware Blue Hen is a Puslinch, Ontario, native and was the No. 17 pick in the 2022 NLL Draft. The righty is a natural depth option alongside Dhane Smith, Chase Fraser and Ryan Smith.
Faceoff specialist Nick Rowlett is another surprising pick, but he’s been a force at the stripe as part of Michigan’s two-headed monster at the faceoff and helped the Wolverines to their first Big Ten Championship and NCAA tournament berth. He will provide depth behind Max Adler at the stripe and could see action early if Adler takes some time to rest following the 2023 National Lacrosse League Finals.
Fourth-round pick Levi Anderson is the most on-brand pick for Chaos and Towers. Not only is he a slick, lefty Canadian, he also could potentially not ever suit up for the Chaos. For the third time, Towers used a late round pick on a player who likely won’t be available to him this time around, after doing so with Jeff Teat in 2020 and Jared Bernhardt in 2021. Yet, the dice roll is certainly worth with Anderson and could end up being a fourth-round steal if he opts to forego is final year of college eligibility and join the PLL this summer.
This is a weird draft that definitely needs to be seen in action before a full grade can be put on it. For the time being, it gets a middle-of-the road grade.
Best Pick: Will Bowen (Defense), Georgetown (1st Round)
Overall Grade: B-
