DENVER - The Denver Outlaws on Wednesday acquired defenseman Lee Zink
from the Baltimore Bayhawks in exchange for a second round (13th
overall) selection in the collegiate draft in May and a second round
(12th overall) selection in the supplemental draft on Tuesday.
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."
Zink, 24, was selected in the third round (29th overall)
of the 2004 National Lacrosse League entry draft by the Colorado
Mammoth.
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.
Lee Jordan Zink was born on Oct. 13, 1981, in Greenwich,
Conn. His twin brother Alex played attack at Syracuse University.