2020 Can-Am Showcase Manney's Men

The ninth year of the Can-Am Showcase brought the Midwest’s top high school prospects to beautiful Grand Park in Westfield, IN. Athletes from the 2021-2024 graduating classes got a chance to showcase their talents to college coaches on three full-sized indoor fields. While NCAA DI schools remain in a recruiting dead period, over 40 DII and DIII coaches were in attendance to watch. Every game was also live-streamed and will be distributed to every DI, DII, and DIII coach in the country this week. 

The Showcase was at capacity this year and included 237 athletes from15 states and Canada. Below are Brett Manney’s 2020 Can-Am Showcase Manney’s Men selections.

Brett Manney, is a 13-year professional lacrosse player, captain of the New England Blackwolves, and two-time captain for the USA National Indoor team, serves as the VP of Recruiting at NXT. He won two bronze medals with the USA National Indoor Team. He played on Delaware's 2007 Final Four team, captained the 2008 team, made the North-South All-Star Game, and is the driving force behind Showcase Lacrosse's nationally-known events. Manney sees players from all over the country at NXT events.

ATTACK

ZACH WENDLING | 2022
Archbishop Moeller (OH), Headlines

What Wendling might lack in size he makes up for it in swagger and toughness. Whether he was dodging from behind or from the wing, Zach was an accounted man for on the field. Defenses quickly knew to slide to him because his quick change of direction left defenders in the dust and he is fearless when he attacks the cage. When he had his feet set, he could unleash a dagger of a shot sidearm high or low. He formed a potent 1-2 punch with Chase Bruno throughout the day which was a nightmare for defenses. If he continues to work on his left hand and improve his passing he will be a lethal attackman. 

HONORABLE MENTION:
Ben Dale, 2023, Warrenville South (IL), Second City 
Chase Bruno, 2023, New Trier (IL), Team One
Connor Jensen, 2022, Ravenwood (TN), No Excuse
Mason Wolford, 2023, Jonathan Alder (OH), Haymakers
Matt Rodgers, 2022, Carmel (IN), Midwest Express
 

MIDFIELD

ELI GRIZZARD | 2022
Collierville (TN), No Excuse

I have been on his bandwagon since watching him as a rising freshman two summers ago as the young man from Tennessee continues to develop his game. This was his first real action of lacrosse this fall and he did not disappoint. Grizzard is a tough faceoff man who competes from the start of the whistle till the end of every possession. His compete level is off the charts, he scraps for groundballs and is athletic enough to hold his own on the defensive side of the field. He was highly ranked throughout the day and took home the King of the X crown. At the next level, I can see him being a swiss army knife for any lucky program. This competitor left it all on the field on Saturday and walking out of that building turning a lot of heads. 

HONORABLE MENTION:
Adam Ormstead, 2021, St. Ignatius (MI), Great Lakes
Cam Croasdaile, 2022, Chagrin Falls (OH), True OH
Nicholas Winebrenner, 2022, Lake Forest (IL), Team One
Eoin Mackay, 2022, Western Reserve (OH), Edge

DEFENSE

ISAAC ALBERS | 2021
Stillman (MN), True MN

Albers has been on the NXT Showcase field before and I have always taken to his game. Any brave offensive players that tried to take him one-on-one quickly realized that was a mistake. Albers has solid feet, great angles, and a knack for putting the ball on the ground. His teammates quickly realized he was a threat on the ball defending as he immediately had the ball in his stick for transition the other way. The Minnesota native has slipped through the cracks but with some added weight and guidance he would be a steal for any program this late in the recruiting game. 

HONORABLE MENTION:
Colby Skinner, 2021, Gull Lake (MI), BJ Bandits (MI)
James Barton, 2022, Memphis University (TN), No Excuse
Will Richardson, 2022, Haslett (MI), Great Lakes
Jack Moorma, 2022, Thomas Worthington (OH), True OH
 

GOALIE

Robert Brunner | 2021
Indian Hill (OH), Commonwealth Kings

When you rock some serious flow you certainly will get some attention yet when you bring some game to back it up now you are getting noticed for skills too. Brunner’s hair not only stood out but his communication, timely saves, quick reflexes did as well. In one of his last chances to get seen, Brunner lead his defense like a general and made some great saves inside to spark his team throughout the day.

HONORABLE MENTION:
Noah Cooper, 2022, Okemos (MI), PLG
Ridge Boehmer, 2023, Brighton (MI), Omnia

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2020 Can-Am Showcase photos are available on the NXT Showcase Facebook Page.

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