Protected Player: Darren Elliott

BROOKLIN LACROSSE CLUB PROSPECT PRAISED FOR HIS WORK ETHIC

By Sam Laskaris

There’s no denying Darren Elliott the lacrosse player has some offensive flair to his game. But it just might be because of who Darren Elliott the individual is that Brooklin Lacrosse Club officials are high on him.

Elliott, a graduate of the Clarington-based Green Gaels’ Junior B squad, is one of the four players the Brooklin team is protecting prior to this year’s Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) Entry Draft. The draft, which will be held virtually, will be staged this coming Thursday (Mar. 18). All six MSL squads are allowed to protect a maximum of four players heading into the draft.

Brooklin’s head coach/general manager Brad MacArthur believes protecting Elliott is an investment in the organization’s future. MacArthur said Elliott, a native of Whitby, will commence his senior career with Brooklin’s Ontario Series Lacrosse affiliate, the Merchants Lacrosse Club.

“Darren has worked for everything he gets,” MacArthur said of Elliott. “He will be assigned to the Merchants and will push for playing time with his hard work and dedication. We had an excellent discussion last week. Darren has come a long way in his lacrosse and it hasn't gone unnoticed.”

Elliott proved he can earn his share of points by compiling 53 points, including 29 goals, in 20 contests with the Green Gaels during the 2019 season. Elliott didn’t have the opportunity to improve upon those totals as the 2020 campaign was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Elliott though is keen to commence his senior career. “I think I’d spend some time with the Merchants and develop there,” he said. Elliott is hoping to eventually move up with the organization and play in the MSL. “I’d be excited to make the jump up to Brooklin,” he said.

While he is offensively gifted himself, Elliott believes he stands out for another reason. “I think my work ethic is what separates me from others,” he said. Elliott is currently a third-year Commerce student – he plans to major in Finance and Economics - at the University of Toronto.

He also represents U of T in the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association. Elliott led U of T in scoring collecting 31 points, including 22 goals, during the 2019 season.

While he has proven he has plenty of offensive capabilities, Elliott is not quite sure the exact role he will have once he joins the Brooklin organization. “I can fill just about any role, even if that means coming out the back door,” he said.

Besides Elliott, the other players Brooklin protected prior to the draft are Brady Kearnan, Tyler Eames and Ryan Barnable. Kearnan is the younger brother of Connor Kearnan, who led Brooklin in scoring during the 2019 MSL season.