Outlaws get Zink from Bayhawks

[James Foote]

December 01, 2005
from press releases

The Denver Outlaws of Major League Lacrosse on Wednesday acquired defenseman Lee Zink from the Baltimore Bayhawks in exchange for a second round (13th overall) selection in the MLL Collegiate Draft in May and a second round (12th overall) selection in the Supplemental Draft on Tuesday December 6, 2005.

After the Baltimore Bayhawks selected him with their second of two first-round picks (fifth overall) of the 2004 collegiate draft, Zink established himself as a premiere shutdown defenseman while playing in all 12 games (11 starts) and gathering 23 groundballs for the Bayhawks. He was an integral member of the league’s stingiest defensive team, as the Bayhawks allowed only 150 goals. Zink, who led the league with 15 minutes in penalties, started both playoff games to help the Bayhawks win the Major League Lacrosse Championship.

As a rookie in 2004, Zink played in nine games (3 starts) and recorded 20 groundballs for the Bayhawks.

“We are extremely excited to add a player of Lee’s caliber to the Outlaws,” Outlaws General Manager Brian Reese said. “Lee is already one of the top young defenders in the league and he has the potential to get better. He has playoff and championship experience and will be looked on to help lead this team in our inaugural season.”

After starting his senior campaign at the University of Maryland as one of 15 candidates for the Tewaaraton Trophy as the nation’s top player and a preseason first-team All American, he was selected as an All American and a member of the 2004 All-ACC Team as well as the conference’s postseason tournament team. He also won the Schmeisser Memorial Cup as the nation’s top defenseman, marking the second consecutive year a Terrapin won the award. Fellow Outlaws defenseman Michael Howley also won the award the previous season.

He played in 60 of a possible 61 games during his collegiate career, recording 138 groundballs. Zink was a member of the third-team All American following his junior campaign when he started 15 of 16 games. He led the Terps with 32 caused turnovers and scooped up 42 groundballs. He was credited with keeping his opposing man scoreless for four consecutive games as Maryland reached the NCAA semifinals.