Lynn's Hellmann Selected by Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS SuperDraft
Two-time SSC Player of the Year was taken No. 29th
By: Chad Beattie | Lynn University Athletic Communications
Baltimore, Md. – On Chris Hellmann’s official bio, he lists Canada as the place he would most like to visit. One of the top players in Lynn University men’s soccer history can check that off his list after being selected by the Vancouver Whitecaps with the ninth pick of the second round, 29th overall, in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft on Thursday afternoon. He is the third-highest drafted athlete in Lynn history while becoming the fourth player to be drafted into the MLS.
Watch video of Hellmann’s selection here.
“I’m excited to be in Vancouver, I heard it’s one of the best places on earth,” said Hellmann. “I never stopped thinking about chasing the dream to make it to the MLS. I’m a smart player and I like to make my teammates look good.”
A three-year letterwinner with the Blue & White, Hellmann tallied 49 goals and 29 assists for 127 points while adding 14 game-winning goals. He ranks second in program history in goals, points and GWG and became just the fifth player in the program’s illustrious history to collect 100 career points, joining Kyle Conrad (100), Lenin Steenkamp (149), Neathan Gibson (175) and Jakob Lorentzon (210).
“I’m extremely happy and proud of Chris,” head coach John Rootes added. “He had a tremendous career at Lynn and was a catalyst for our 2014 national championship team. I wish him nothing but the best in his MLS future.”
Hellmann was bestowed a multitude of honors in his final season. He garnered Daktronics First Team and NSCAA Second Team All-America accolades while also becoming the second player in Sunshine State Conference history to repeat as Player & Offensive Player of the Year. He closed out the year with 17 goals, 13 assists and 47 points while leading the nation in points per game (3.13).
Despite his success as a junior, the Cologne, Germany, native’s best season came in 2014 when he recorded 28 goals, 13 assists and 69 points, the most for a member of the Fighting Knights since 1993. Hellmann led the NCAA in goals, goals per game, points and points per game and helped Lynn claim the trinity of titles: SSC regular season title, SSC Championship crown and NCAA Division II National Championship, the fifth for the program and No. 23 for Lynn University.
Hellmann joins Jean Alexandre, Dwight Barnett and Darren Warham as the only other players from Lynn to be drafted by the MLS. Alexandre is the highest drafted athlete in Lynn’s history after being the 12th pick in the first round by Real Salt Lake in 2009. Warham was selected by FC Dallas as the 12th pick of the second round and 24th overall in the 1999 draft while Barnett was the 10th pick of the third round for the Chicago Fire, and 38th overall, in 2008. Currently, alum Tim Melia (Class of ’07) is the goalkeeper for Sporting KC. In total, Lynn has seen seven players play for Major League Soccer.
The Fighting Knights went 9-4-2 overall and 4-3-1 in SSC play.