Leland Powless could hardly contain his enthusiasm upon signing a one year contract with the Halifax Thunderbirds.
Coming off a season which saw the 23-year-old playing forward for the expansion New York Riptide, Powless was excited about getting the opportunity to put on the Thunderbirds colors.
“No better feeling to come back and play where I got drafted and where my NLL career started,” Powless said. ‘No better place I’d want to be playing the game I love.”
Originally, Powless was a sixth round, 73rd overall pick in the 2018 draft by the Rochester Knighthawks, who last year re-located the team to Halifax and became the Thunderbirds.
“I am just happy to be back with my band of brothers,” said Powless. “I can’t wait to help make an impact and win a cup.”
After being selected in 2018 by the Knighthawks, Powless spent that upcoming season working on his game as a defenceman on the team’s practice roster.
“Growing up, I wanted to be a professional lacrosse player,” Powless said. “I still have to put in the hard work. I am going to do that until training camp starts.”
In his second year, Powless inked a deal with the expansion Riptide where he played in three games.
Showing some offensive flair, Powless had a season to remember when in 2018, he provided the Six Nations Arrows with some secondary offense by scoring 17 goals and 45 points in 17 games played. In the playoffs, Powless registered two assists during a first round loss against the St. Catharines Athletics.
“Leland is a young player with good size,” Thunderbirds assistant Coach Jason Johnson said.
“He is willing to play anywhere you want him to and we are looking forward to seeing what he an bring come training camp.”
No doubt it will be a thrill for Powless to put on the Thunderbirds colors and compete in helping them bring home the National Lacrosse League Cup.
