Atlas LC has claimed goalie Drake Porter to their Championship Series roster.

The goaltender started in net for Syracuse in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Porter produced a collegiate career save percentage of .529%, with the best save percentage in the ACC in 2019 as well as the abridged 2020 season, and was an All-American in both 2020 and 2021. 

Reigning from Aurora, Ontario, Porter was rostered for Team Canada in the US Lacrosse Fall Classic in 2019 and 2021, as well as the Super Sixes tournament in 2021. Most recently, he backed up Archers goaltender Brett Dobson in The World Games this past summer for Canada in another Olympic-style event.

“[The Olympic format] is fun because it’s super fast-paced, you don’t have a lot of time to dwell on the goals that went in, and any save that you do make because of the nature of the game and the smaller field can have a pretty big impact on the game,” said Porter. “If you make a big save and get it up the other way it can be a two-goal swing. You have a lot of opportunities to create momentum for the team which is pretty cool relative to typical field lacrosse.”

Undrafted, he was picked up by Cannons LC in early May prior to the start of the 2022 season. He reported to training camp but ultimately was cut as the Cannons decided to ride with Nick Marrocco and Colin Kirst as their goaltending tandem for the season. 

Now Porter will get the chance to showcase his talents at the professional level once again, but this time on a different stage.

“I was really excited for the opportunity when Coach Brooks called me,” he said. “The Atlas is a good organization with a lot of really good guys who have a reputation for being team-first and I’m excited to show what I can do as a teammate and help any way I can.” 

“Personally, I hope I can show I’m a good enough player and teammate to get a roster spot heading into next season…but most importantly, I’m just excited to work with such a great group of guys and a great coach and contribute any way I can.” 

Atlas interim head coach Steven Brooks, a Syracuse alum himself, spoke with some of Porter’s past teammates and he’s equally excited about the opportunity for the young netminder.

“I had a few Syracuse guys reach out to me and say, ‘You should go get him for this’ and everyone I spoke to talked about Drake very highly, not just as the guy between the pipes, but as a teammate and locker room guy.” said Brooks.

He mentioned while having a guy with experience under Olympic rules like Porter is great, it wasn’t necessarily just about finding the perfect fit in terms of the roster.

“With a tournament like this, you don’t have time beforehand to mesh with the team so to bring someone in who we know embodies our ‘family style’ of play and putting the team before yourself, that’s huge.” 

Porter’s one of the first Championship Series signings of the offseason. The PLL trade window will close on December 2nd.

The Championship Series comes to The St. James in Washington, D.C. from February 22nd through 26th as the top four teams from the 2022 regular season compete against one another in a round robin style tournament. Learn more about the Championship Series here.