Oakville Beaver

SportsSPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email [email protected] • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012 Minnesota swarms Oakville, drafting Crepinsek, Campbell By Herb Garbutt draft Crepinsek’s former Burlington Chiefs team- OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF mate Kiel Matisz, then picked up another Oakville native, Bryan Campbell, in the fifth round. Alex Crepinsek grew up as a fan of the Toronto After playing Jr. A with Burlington in 2011, Rock. He would go to games and watch the world’s Campbell returned to Jr. B with the Oakville Buzz best players demonstrate their skills. this summer for the opportunity to play with his Over the past four years, as he enjoyed a stand- younger brother, Gregory. In terms of his lacrosse out college career with the Rochester Institute of future, Campbell knew he was taking a chance, but Technology Tigers, Crepinsek saw more of the decided it was one worth taking. ’s . “I knew I ran the risk of not getting noticed by During that time, Crepinsek’s friends and former the NLL playing in Jr. B,” he said, “but you never teammates began getting drafted into the NLL. He really get the chance to play with your brother. It’s couldn’t help but root for them, spreading his a really good league and in previous years, there allegiances thin. have been guys who have made it to the pros “I became more a fan of watching the game in through Jr. B.” general,” the 23-year-old said. Campbell, who plays field lacrosse at Brock That all changed Monday night. University, said Washington Crepinsek sat at the Westin “It was a pretty Stealth general manager Doug Harbour Castle hotel in Toronto nerve-wracking Locker contacted him in the waiting to pick a new favourite spring. Campbell told him about team. Or more accurately, for the experience. I wasn’t sure his decision to play Jr. B and team to pick him. how the chips would fall. Locker remained in contact He didn’t have to wait long. The It’s definitely pretty cool throughout the summer. Then Minnesota Swarm, who had stock- getting drafted and he invited Campbell to the NLL’s piled four first-round draft choices, especially going in the draft combine at the Toronto used the 10th overall pick to select Rock’s new practice facility in Crepinsek. first round.” Oakville. “It was a pretty nerve-wracking “It was a do-or-die kind of experience. My parents can attest to Oakville’s Alex Crepinsek after day,” Campbell said. “I knew I me being pretty nervous. It’s a big being drafted 10th overall by had to take full advantage of it.” part of my future, so it was pretty the Minnesota Swarm in the And he did, scoring high on tense,” Crepinsek said. “I talked to a National Lacrosse League the fitness tests and performing few teams so it was all still up in the draft. well in the scrimmage. The air. I wasn’t sure how the chips Swarm approached him after- would fall. It’s definitely pretty cool getting drafted ward. They suggested he come to the draft, but still and especially going in the first round; that’s spe- the message he was getting was ‘don’t be discour- cial.” aged if you don’t get drafted.’ Minnesota used its first three picks in the draft Campbell would not be disappointed as the on offensive-oriented players before shifting gears Swarm chose him with the 42nd pick in the draft. for its final pick of the opening round. Though he’s “To hear my name called, it was overwhelm- proven himself to be a capable offensive player at ing,” Campbell said. “Five years ago, I didn’t even every level, Crepinsek established himself as a make the Oakville Buzz. The year after that, I strong defender in the Major Series Lacrosse, barely made it, so to come that far is pretty incred- where he matched up against many of the same ible.” players he would face in the NLL. Campbell said he will have to put the same Should Crepinsek crack the Minnesota lineup, effort into making the team as he did to get draft- it would reunite him with Jordan MacIntosh, who ed. Even Crepinsek, taken 32 picks earlier, is tak- made the NLL all-rookie team with the Swarm ing nothing for granted. after being drafted fourth overall last year. “I know it’s not going to be easy to crack the Crepinsek and MacIntosh won a national Jr. B lineup,” he said. “I’m going to have to work hard title together with the Oakville Buzz. They both leading up to camp and then give it everything I moved on to Jr. A with the Burlington Chiefs and have at training camp.” then attended RIT together. They were even on the If any team provides an opportunity for young same MSL team, the Ajax Rock, until a mid-season players, it’s the Swarm, which dressed 12 rookies RIZIERO VERTOLLI / OAKVILLE BEAVER / @HALTON_PHOTOG trade sent MacIntosh to Peterborough. last year. Minnesota finished with the year 9-7, tied STANDING ON GUARD: Oakville’s Alex Crepinsek was drafted in the first round “I’ve played with him for probably 10 or 11 for the third best record in the league, which of the National Lacrosse League draft by the Minnesota Swarm. It was the second year years now,” Crepinsek said, “through minor and means if Crepinsek and Campbell can make the in a row the Swarm used a first-round pick on an Oakville player, having drafted junior, at school, even a season of senior team, they could be in for a long run of success. Crepinsek’s longtime teammate Jordan MacIntosh fourth overall, last year. Minnesota lacrosse.” also drafted Oakville’s Bryan Campbell in the fifth round. Minnesota also used the third overall pick to —Follow Herb Garbutt on Twitter, @herbgarbutt