1969 Minnesota Serpents Expansion Draft

1969 Minnesota Serpents Expansion Draft

The selections for the draft were announced 3 at a time or team-by-team. The selections are listed below with contract status next to it.

Boston Independents
1 - WR Alexei Dubois - FA
2 - DB Ole Snurlson - FA
3 - OL Stephane Lloris - FA

The Serpents apparently had the most challenging time picking players from the Independents. In the end, they would take the former #1 overall WR, Alexei Dubois to be a veteran in their WR core. Then, they would also add Ole Snurlson and Stephane Lloris for depth.

Buffalo Blue Wings
4 - DL Albert Sullivan - FA
5 - WR Sebastian Dassler - FA
6 - DB Davey Woods - U24 - 2Y, $7,500

Despite one of the greatest DL in William Sanderson available, the Serpents elected to go a much younger route. With HC Soni Dionne’s knowledge of the roster, Buffalo was one of the easiest teams to pick. First, they grabbed the 25-year-old DL in Albert Sullivan who should be the first star on the D-line for the team. Next Dionne made sure he got one of the WRs that he enjoyed coaching in Buffalo in the German-born Sebastian Dassler. Lastly, the Serpents would grab a U24 player in DB Davey Woods, who was selected 48th overall last season.

Halifax Mariners
7 - OL Flint Boyer - 1Y, $17,500
8 - WR Edward Webb - FA
9 - RB Ronald O’Sullivan - FA

Picking from the champs was certainly going to bring some strong players. Firstly, they would add to the OL with veteran Flint Boyer, who is also under contract for next season. Next, they would grab 25-year-old WR, Edward Webb to add more youth to the WR core. Lastly, they would take the Mariners’ star RB Ronald O’Sullivan who was surprisingly left unprotected and should be a strong piece if he sticks around.

Indiana Victors
10 - OL Elias McCarren - FA
11 - WR Evan Clanton - 2Y, $22,000
12 - DL Douglas Jackson - FA

From Indiana, the Mariners would take one of the best players they are going to have on their roster in OL Elias McCarren. McCarren is a former 11th overall selection and one of the best Offensive Linemen in the league. For the 4th team in a row, the Serpents would take a WR in Evan Clanton, who does have 2 years left on his deal and could be a great anchor to fill in the depth in the passing game. Lastly, they would DL Douglas Jackson as a depth piece on the D-line.

London Tigers
13 - DL Teddy Piper - FA
14 - DB Tyler Hill - 1Y, $7,500
15 - RB Richard Morin - FA

From London, the Serpents would grab DL Teddy Piper, who should be a solid starter on the interior D-line. Next was a U24 pick in DB Tyler Hill, a former 3rd-round pick. Lastly was some RB depth in Richard Morin.

Long Island Raiders
16 - OL Mason Fitzpatrick - FA
17 - S Sully Callahan - U24 - 1Y, $7,500
18 - LB Ed Krzano - 1Y, $18,000

It appears one of the weakest bunch of players is coming out of Long Island. They still got a pair of younger players in Mason Fitzpatrick and Sully Callahan, but they are looked at as depth players. LB Ed Krzano should provide some depth in the defence while bringing some experience being as a starter with the Raiders.

Louisville Thunder
19 - OL Jordan Bryson - 1Y, $12,000
20 - DL Winfield Winchester - FA
21 - LB Brent Mayiski - U24 - 1Y, $7,500

From Louisville, the Serpents would continue to add to their O-line with 26-year-old, Jordan Bryson. They would also get a shocking grab of former 2nd overall pick DL Winfield Winchester. On top of that, they would also grab 1967, 13th overall pick LB Brent Mayiski to round out the group.

Montreal Rouge
22 - TE Hunter Ziegelbauer - 1Y, $15,000
23 - DB Ross Conroy - U24 - 1Y, $10,000
24 - OL Paul O’Doherty - 1Y, $15,000

The Serpents continued to aim for the youth, grabbing a pair of 26-year-old players in starting TE Hunter Ziegelbauer and OL Paul O’Doherty, They would also grab 24-year-old DB Ross Conroy, who was a 2nd round pick in 1967. 

Ottawa Royals
25 - QB Martin Keller - U24 - 1Y, $15,000
26 - LB Enzo Morello - FA
27 - OL Xavier Villeneuve - FA

The Serpents would finally take a QB in former 1st round pick, Martin Keller. Keller is expected to be the starter or at least the future at the position, showing promise in a Week 13 start with the Royals last season. They would also add some strong pieces in LB Enzo Morello and OL Xavier Villeneuve to continue to round out the roster.

Pittsburgh Blacksmiths
28 - DB Corey Ross - FA
29 - LB Red Clarkson - 1Y, $22,000
30 - S Calvin Hobbes - 1Y, $20,000

The focus for the players coming from Pittsburgh was on defence. DB Corey Ross should be one of the most experienced DBs in the Serpents’ secondary, which is saying something considering he is only 26. They do add some real veteran help in LB Red Clarkson and S Calvin Hobbes.

Providence Gold Stars
31 - DL Ryan Sargent - 1Y, $22,000
32 - OL Ted Cole - 1Y, $12,000
33 - LB Austin Ford - U24 - 2Y, $7,500

With the Gold Stars, the Serpents would continue to take some young players in OL Ted Cole (26) and LB Austin Ford (23). Ford was a 3rd round pick last season, which could be a blow to the Gold Stars’ youth.

Toronto Steelheads
34 - LB Kenneth Mercer - FA
35 - TE Lucas Warmer - U24 - 1Y, $7,500
36 - QB Matt Fletcher - FA

Finally, the Serpents had to pick from the Steelheads, who certainly don’t have the deepest roster in the league. They would mainly focus on adding depth with LB Kenneth Mercer, expecting to be a fringe starter, TE Lucas Warmer to be a backup to Ziegelbauer, and QB Matt Fletcher to be a backup to Martin Keller.

S Calvin Hobbes and LB Red Clarkson ended up being the only two players that were selected in the Pittsburgh expansion draft and the Minnesota expansion draft.