SPARKS, Md. – Wednesday evening marked a historic night for the Jacksonville University men’s lacrosse program as three Dolphins were drafted in the 2018 Major League Lacrosse (MLL) Collegiate Draft presented by Cascade, held at the US Lacrosse headquarters.
Hunter Forbes, Ryan Beville and McLean Chicquen were all chosen in the draft, with Forbes going to the Atlanta Blaze, Beville to the Florida Launch and Chicquen to the Dallas Rattlers, joining head coach John Galloway.
“Today was a very unique moment for our program. I have been telling people since last May how excited I was for this senior class. Not only are they great players, but they are men of high character,” stated Galloway. “While only three were drafted, they represent this senior class and the strides they have made for this program. While there is still a lot left on the table for this group in the next few weeks to be had, this is something we will celebrate in the near future.”
Forbes was selected by the Atlanta Blaze in the fifth round as the 40th overall selection. A faceoff specialist, he ranks fourth in Division I averaging 10.36 ground balls per game and is fifth with a .696 faceoff winning percentage (188-269).
“I’m real honored and grateful to have the opportunity to continue to play at the next level. I’m thankful for the great coaching and teammates I’ve had along the way,” Forbes said following the draft. “I want to thank Coach Galloway for giving me the opportunity to come back and play this last year, and Coach [Tyler] Granelli and [Derek] Andrake for pushing me every day to be the best I can be.”
The Dolphins’ career leader in ground balls (255) and faceoff wins (519), Forbes also set several season and single-game records in 2018. Among them, he now holds the program’s single-season records in ground balls (114), faceoff wins (188), and faceoff winning percentage (.696), and set new single-game marks for ground balls (18 vs. Mercer on Feb. 17) and faceoffs won (23 vs. Detroit Mercy on Feb. 20).
Forbes was also named to the very first USILA Team of the Week (Feb. 6) and was honored as Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Week (Feb. 13).
Beville was selected in the sixth round by the Florida Launch as the 52nd overall pick. A short-stick defensive midfielder and two-year team captain, the Fogelsville, Pa. native has often been described as “the most athletic guy on the team” by teammates and coaches alike.
“I am extremely excited and honored to be able to continue my lacrosse career at the highest level,” added Beville. “None of this would be possible without my coaches, who mentored me and pushed me to become the player I am today. Also, a huge shout out to my teammates, who I can’t thank enough. I also want to thank Coach (Tom) Mariano and the Florida Launch organization for giving me this opportunity.”
With over 30 ground balls in each of the last two seasons, Beville is on pace to reach the 100-ground ball benchmark this season and currently has 94 in his career. Additionally, he has caused a career-high nine turnovers this season, including two each in a pair of one-goal games against then-No. 4 Ohio State (Feb. 25) and then-No. 16 Vermont (March 3). Helping the Dolphins to the 14th-best man-down defense in the nation, Beville was a Preseason All-SoCon Team selection prior to the start of this season.
Chicquen joins Galloway with the Dallas Rattlers as the 60th overall pick. A staple on the Dolphins’ first midfield line, Chicquen has made an immediate impact sparking the Dolphins’ offense in the Galloway Era since transferring in for the 2017 season.
“I want to thank all of my teammates and coaches who helped make this possible, especially Coach Galloway, who’s given me great insight to the game,” added Chicquen. “I’m excited to have the chance to play with the best in the world and I want to thank the Dallas Rattlers for the opportunity.”
A two-year team captain, Chicquen led the team last season with 35 points and 23 goals, was a second-team All-SoCon selection and earned Preseason All-SoCon team accolades prior to the start of this season. Currently second on the team in both points (25) and assists (nine), the Victoria, British Columbia, native has helped the Dolphins lead the SoCon in points per game (17.55) and assists per game (6.18). With just 24 points in his two seasons at Stony Brook prior to joining the Dolphins, Chicquen is nearing the 100-point milestone with 84 career points.
Forbes, Beville and Chicquen join just one other Dolphin drafted to the MLL as Duncan Clancy was drafted 61st overall in the 2014 MLL Collegiate Draft by the newly formed Florida Launch. Prior to Clancy, Cameron Mann became the first Dolphin men’s lacrosse player ever drafted into the professional lacrosse ranks as he was selected 32nd overall by the Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League in the 2013 NLL Entry Draft.