New York Riptide Select Six In 2021 NLL Entry Draft

Uniondale, NY (August 28, 2021) – The New York Riptide selected six players on Saturday night in the 2021 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft.

After trading the team’s first round pick for defenseman Leo Stouros last August, the Riptide made their first selection of the evening in the second round at 21^st overall, selecting forward Jack Kelly. In 37 collegiate games, Kelly scored 79 points on 64 goals and 15 assists, including an impressive 42 goals in his 2019 junior season, in which he was named an honorable-mention All-American by Inside Lacrosse, and a USILA third-team All-American. During that season, Kelly ranked first in the Big Ten and third nationally in shot percentage (.538). In 58 career Junior A games, Kelly totaled 105 points on 40 goals and 65 assists.

New York then picked goalie Will Johnston at 34^th overall. In three games played in 2021 for the Toronto Beaches, Johnston had a 6.67 goals against average and a 0.17 save percentage.

In the fourth round, the Riptide acquired the 56^th overall pick from the Georgia Swarm in exchange for a 2022 fourth round pick, and selected defenseman Bryce Tolmie. In 33 career games played for Hofstra, Tolmie scored 19 points on 12 goals and seven assists, scooping 15 ground balls. The Whitby, Ontario native played 59 career Junior B games, scoring 74 points on 41 goals and 33 assists.

The Riptide followed up in round five by selecting forward Tristan Hanna. In 46 career games played for Cleveland State, Hanna scored 82 points on 57 goals and 25 assists, and also scooped 52 ground balls. In 92 career Junior A games, Hanna scored 226 points on 95 goals and 131 assists.

Armed with back-to-back picks in the sixth round, the Riptide first selected transition player Kyle Gallagher with the 78^th overall selection. Gallagher joined Notre Dame for the 2021 season after graduating from Penn in 2020. Gallagher had a career percentage of .587 at the dot and scooped up 460 ground balls. The Northport, New York, product has collected plenty of awards and accolades over his illustrious career. Following the 2019 season Gallagher was named a third team All-American by Inside Lacrosse and the USILA. He entered 2021 as a Preseason All-ACC selection and a second team All-American by the USIAL and Inside Lacrosse.

The Riptide rounded out the night by selecting defenseman Jacob Martino with the 79^th overall selection. In 18 games played for the Oakville Buzz in 2019, Martino scored five points on two goals and three assists.

The Riptide will return to Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum for the franchise’s second season this December. Fans have a chance to be one of the first to own a player tee of 2020 first overall pick Jeff Teat! For a limited time, place a $50 deposit per seat on a Season Ticket Membership and receive a free Jeff Teat player t-shirt. While supplies last. Head to newyorkriptide.com/seasonmemberships or on social media at @NewYorkRiptide for details.