Prout Protects Two Graduating Juniors Ahead of MSL Draft This Weekend

By Mark Stehlin

Gavin Prout, General Manager of the Brooklin Lacrosse Club (BLC) is busy preparing for his first Major Series Lacrosse entry draft scheduled for Sunday January 12, 2025 at Iroquois Park Sports Centre, Whitby, ON.

His first order of business was to release to Major Series Lacrosse his protected list of graduating junior players. He chose to protect Whitby Warrior Junior A graduates Michael White and Jake Darlison.

Prout said, “as for protecting those two players, both can come to the BLC and make an immediate impact. Michael has come up as an affiliate with us numerous times and fit right in two years ago. Last year he was unfortunately injured but I have no doubt he has the tools to be a top defenseman in the MSL. Jake plays good defense and runs the floor extremely well. He's currently playing good minutes in the NLL for the Toronto Rock. I am excited to see what both players will bring come summer of 2025.”

White played in 17 games with the Warriors in 2024, missing the last three due to injury. He was good for three goals, four assists for seven points. The Warriors just missed out on a playoff spot in 2024. White was named an Ontario Junior Lacrosse League (OJLL) 1st team all-star in 2024 and was a member of the 2022 Minto Cup winning Warriors squad.

When asked his thoughts on receiving the call from Prout, White said, “I was happy to hear from Gavin and happy to be protected by Brooklin. He added, “I had the chance to play for BLC a couple of summers ago as a call-up and enjoyed my time there.” He recalled, “the players on BLC welcomed me to the team. One big difference I noticed was the increased pace and skill and offensive players with quick hands and ball movement.”

As to the strengths of his game, White commented “I see myself as a big physical player, I am a reliable stay at home defender with good communication skills. At the same time, I can run up and handle the ball on transition.”

White is a Junior at Queens University of Charlotte in North Carolina. He started his scholastic and athletic career there as a Freshman. At this time, he and his teammates are in practice mode and start the season on Saturday February 1, 2025 at home against Mount St. Mary’s from Maryland.

Darlison played in all 20 games for the Warriors in 2024 and scored 12 goals, added 17 assists for 29 points. He was also a member of the 2022 Warriors Minto Cup winning team. He was drafted by Toronto Rock and selected in the 1st Round, 13th overall by the in the 2024 NLL Draft.

Darlison said, “It was a good phone call to get from Gavin when he let me know that I had been protected, I was stoked to hear that. It is great to know that my local team is interested in me.”

He added, “my game is about being a two-way player. I like to jump up on offense when I can and use a fast pace to move the ball up the floor. I like to think I bring a fast element to the game and make sure to use my head.”

With the Toronto Rock, he added, “I was scratched for the first two games but due to some injuries I have been on the floor for the last two games. In terms of the differences of pro to Junior, he noted, “the pace is certainly quicker with the ball moving around. As a defender, I also have my head on a swivel as guys are coming from everywhere and I am working on better defending crease dives.”

The 2025 Major Series Lacrosse season will start late May or early June and revert back to an 18-game regular season schedule.