PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - A pair of Ironheads alumni, Julian Garritano and Mitch Gustavsen, were selected in the 2018 NLL Entry Draft on Tuesday, September 25 at XFINITY Live! in Philadelphia,PA.

Garritano, who played his entire junior lacrosse career with the Ironheads, was selected in the third round (35th overall) by the Colorado Mammoth.

"It was a dream come true to hear my name be called," said Garritanto. "Everyone always dreams about becoming a professional athlete when they are kids and have icons who they aspire to be one day. It was an honour to have the Mammoth draft me." 

The Markham, ON native netted 42 goals, 38 assists for 80 points in 42 games with the I-Heads from 2011 to 2015.

"The Ironheads helped me learn and think the game at a higher level, said Garritano. "We never stop learning and every time I have stepped on the floor, whether it's been junior or senior, I've learnt to and adapted as the game changes. They also gave me the opportunity to play both sides of the ball, which helped my development as an overall lacrosse player."

The left-handed defender spent this past summer playing in Major Series Lacrosse with the Brooklin Redmen after finishing up his senior season at Sacred Heart University in NCAA Division I. Standing at 6 feet tall and 207 lbs, Garritano is a strong and athletic player that hopes to bring grit and speed to the Mammoth lineup in 2018/19.

"I think my athleticism is something I can bring to the Mammoth," said Sacred Heart University Grad. "I like to get up and down the floor. I'll get chippy to get those loose balls, I'll do whatever it takes to win. I've been working on my fitness for camp. It's not like college where you have mandatory lifts and conditioning. You have your workout and conditioning packets and it's up to you to complete them and come to camp ready to go." 

This is the second straight year that an Ironheads grad has been drafted to Colorado as the Mammoth selected defender Rowan Kelly in the sixth round of the 2017 NLL Entry Draft. Kelly spent most of the 2017/18 season on the Colorado practice roster but appeared in his first professional lacrosse game against Buffalo on March 3, 2018. Garritano and Kelly begin training camp with the Mammoth on November 2 in Denver, Colorado. 

The second Ironhead alumnus came off the board in the sixth round, as the Toronto Rock selected Mitch Gustavsen with the 68th pick overall. Gustavsen played one season with the Ironheads in 2014 where he scored 15 goals and 15 assists for 30 points while taking the bulk of faceoffs for the team. The Toronto, ON native finished off his junior career with the Ironheads' Jr.A affiliate Toronto Beaches. Gustavsen is now playing in the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association with the Brock University Badgers. 

The two former I-Heads will faceoff in pre-season action on Saturday, November 24, 2018 as the Toronto Rock will host the Colorado Mammoth at the Toronto Athletic Centre in Oakville, ON. Opening faceoff is set for 7 p.m. EST and admission is free for all fans.