Marshall Powless admitted that chances are he won’t be able to sleep prior to the 2020 Virtual NLL Draft,
Powless, who is one of many Six Nations talents eligible for the Thursday, September 17th draft, has since the age of 12, had the burning determination to play like his brother Johnny Powless in the National Lacrosse League.
“‘Ever since I was 12, when my brother Johnny got drafted and I saw him play, I told myself I’m going to make it here (NLL) someday,” Powless said. “My first NLL game I ever went to was his. But Kim Squire was one of my favorite players besides Johnny lol.”
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the draft, which starts at 7 p.m., will be taking place virtually. The NLL will have it being broadcasted on B/R Live, NLL’s You Tube Channel, and Facebook (@NLL).
Though the draft is different this year, that hasn’t taken away the strong excitement from Powless who plans on being home and tuning in.
“During the day it’ll be an ordinary day. But when the draft comes on, my family and my girlfriend have plans to watch it (with me) at home,” Powless said. “It is going to be a family event.”
Powless, who has been contacted by a couple of teams went on to add, “I’m not really to nervous right now. But I know once the time comes closer, I won’t be able to sleep.”
Following a standout Junior ‘B’ career, which was capped off in 2019, by a regular season league leading 54 goals and 151 points with the Six Nations Rebels, Powless had his sights set on playing this summer for the Six Nations Arrows.
Unfortunately, that didn’t happen because of COVID-19, but that didn’t stop this talented forward from practicing his lacrosse skills this past summer.
“I have had backyard games with friends this summer a few times,” Powless said.
Reflecting on what he does well, Powless stated, “I like to move the ball around and play as a team. I like to put the ball in the net as well as bring a positive attitude to the team.”
Showing to be a clutch performer, this future NLL star has always produced when games matter most. This includes most recently that 2019 season, when following his MVP regular season with the Rebels, Powless went on a post season tear which saw him eventually being named the Founders Cup tournament MVP.
Prior to Founders Cup competition, Powless had an Ontario Junior B playoffs to remember, as he finished second highest on the Rebels with 82 points (31 goals, 51 assists) in playing a big role in helping them win the 2019 Ontario Junior ‘B’ Lacrosse League Championship.
Following the league championship, it was off to the Founders Cup tournament where he produced 26 points ( 8 goals and 18 assists) in helping Six Nations make it to the gold medal game where they ended up dropping a heartbreaking 16-15 decision against the Calgary Shamrocks.
During that same summer, Powless played as an AP for the Six Nations Rivermen where he scored 10 goals and 21 points in 7 games, before eventually winning with his brother Johnny the 2019 Presidents Cup.
Another impressive feat on Powless’ resume occurred a year earlier when in 2018, he was awarded MVP at the World Juniors after helping team Iroquois win silver.
Leading up to the NLL draft, this speedy forward has been getting some valuable advice from brother Johnny on what to expect.
“Me and Johnny have been talking a few times about the draft and what to prepare myself for,” Marshall Powless said. “It would be a dream come true to play with Johnny!”
No doubt, there will be a lot of talented Six Nations players at home tuning into the draft, and anxiously hoping to be selected.