ELEVEN HILL ACADEMY ALUMNI SELECTED IN THE 2026 NLL DRAFT PRESENTED BY CAPELLI SPORT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CALEDON, ON — September 25, 2026 — Following another landmark evening for box lacrosse, The Hill Academy celebrated an extraordinary milestone during the 2026 National Lacrosse League (NLL) Entry Draft presented by Capelli Sport. A total of 11 Hill Academy alumni were selected by professional franchises, reinforcing the school’s standing as an elite pipeline for world-class lacrosse talent.
The draft results showcase the continuous pathway built at The Hill Academy, where student-athletes are equipped to transition seamlessly from elite high school competition to NCAA programs, major junior box leagues, and onto the professional stage.
The Hill Academy Alumni at the 2026 NLL Draft Presented by Capelli Sport:
Cole Teeple - Colorado Mammoth (2nd Round, 18th Overall)
Justin Lee - Oshawa Firewolves (2nd Round, 19th Overall)
Xavier Delormier - Saskatchewan Rush (2nd Round, 20th Overall)
Nathan Pouliot - Las Vegas Desert Dogs (3rd Round, 24th Overall)
Bowie Horsman - San Diego Seals (3rd Round, 35th Overall)
Brian Jackman - Saskatchewan Rush (3rd Round, 37th Overall)
Matt Vilas - Rochester Knighthawks (3rd Round, 42nd Overall)
Aiden Long - Halifax Thunderbirds (4th Round, 43rd Overall)
Brenden Boyle - Georgia Swarm (5th Round, 52nd Overall)
Owen Wills - San Diego Seals (5th Round, 54th Overall)
Nathan Ruff - Buffalo Bandits (6th Round, 65th Overall)
"To see eleven of our alumni selected in a single professional draft is a testament to their relentless work ethic, character, and development, not only during their time here at The Hill, but in every step of their journey following graduation," said Drazen Glisic, Director of Athlete Performance at The Hill Academy. "Reaching the highest level of achievement in the NLL takes years of dedicated discipline. As we celebrate The Hill’s 20th anniversary, we could not be more proud of these young men and how they continue to represent our culture on the world's biggest stages."
A Defining Era for Global Lacrosse
The strong showing at the 2026 NLL Draft comes at a momentous time for the sport. With lacrosse experiencing global growth ahead of high-profile international showcases, including the Lexus Global Lacrosse Games and the sport’s return to the Olympic Games at LA28, The Hill Academy’s holistic athletic and academic environment continues to prepare athletes to lead and excel across every discipline of the game.
Celebrating 20 years of combining character development with academic and athletic excellence, The Hill Academy remains committed to developing total student-athletes who embody leadership, dedication, and sportsmanship. If prospective families are looking to find out why student-athletes from around the world are coming to learn and train at The Hill Academy, we encourage them to book a tour now by contacting admissions@thehillacademy.com
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About The Hill Academy
The Hill Academy was founded in 2006 in order to provide optimal academic and athletic programming for dedicated student-athletes. Located in Caledon, ON, just 45 minutes north of the GTA, the Hill campus sits on 134 acres of beautifully forested land. The campus offers students bright classrooms, daily outdoor education, a state-of-the-art athletic training experience, Hill Performance gym facilities, running and hiking trails, a turf field, and an expansive boarding complex. Graduates from The Hill have been placed in some of the most prestigious academic and athletic institutions in the world. The Hill Academy is an institution for students who are committed to striving academically, and who would like an opportunity to take an in-depth exploration into their respective sport.
