This week the PLL heads to the land of Vincent’s Clam Bar and Hofstra University on Long Island. Week 3 of the PLL should be a great weekend for fan attendance and rookie performances.

PLL CEO Michael Rabil had some fun promoting this weekend’s games. Long Island and Baltimore are two lacrosse hotbeds. Rabil spoke of how the next two weekends will be a homecoming for many players and challenged fans to pack Shuart Stadium this week and Homewood field next weekend. 

“Our next two weekends, featuring games in Long Island and Baltimore, will be a battle of the hotbeds. A homecoming for so many PLL pros. An opportunity to compete in front of family and friends. We’re bringing the highest level of lacrosse to the places where these pros picked up a stick for the first time. And we can’t wait to see you there.”

– Paul Rabil, PLL President

I pose the question to you…which hotbed will have the highest fan turnout?

Before the Week 3 games begin, I thought it would be a good time to check in on the 2022 rookie class and see how they fared in the first two weeks of the PLL season.

Logan Wisnauskas  (Chrome)

The No.1 pick got off to a slow start in Week 1, registering only an assist against the Archers. Let’s be honest, he had a busy week winning a national championship on Monday, the Tewaaraton on Thursday, and making his rookie debut in the PLL on Sunday.

He “shook off the rust” and lit up the Redwoods for five goals on Friday night. Logan does a great job of changing planes when he shoots. It’s a skill a lot of young players could learn from. Here is his low to high rip against Tim Troutner.

Logan cut down on his extracurricular activities this week. He’s in Sparks, Maryland trying out for Team USA. Hey Dino, I think the kid has a shot.

Chris Gray (Atlas)

Just a corner. Maybe we can call him Elsa because that’s all Chris Gray needs to let it go.

The Atlas are playing 2022 with cheat codes on. Gray is on an attack line with Jeff Teat (12 points) and Eric Law (8 points). The Atlas offense reminds me very much of Bobby Benson’s offense at Maryland this season. Giving up the good look for the better one.

Teat and Gray are becoming the best of friends, which is bad news for the rest of the league.

Matt Moore (Archers)

Similar to Wisnauskas, Moore also got off to a slow start in Week 1. Moore found his bearings in Charlotte scoring three goals against the Chaos.

I wondered if injuries were lingering and would slow him down this season. Seems like he just needed a moment to adjust. The Archers will need this sort of production from their rookie going forward this PLL season.

Brendan Nichtern (Chrome)

2nd. Lt. Brendan Nichtern is off a hot start for the Chrome with five points on the season. Nichtern was a two-time captain at Army where he ranked first in the nation in assists per game (3.75) and points per game (6.3). 

Nichtern is a great story for the game and the academy programs. My only question is where is the Arya Stark celly? Will it make an appearance on Long Island this weekend? Jordie and I will both be waiting.

Asher Nolting (Cannons)

Asher Nolting was a scorer and distributor for High Point in college. Nolting notched an impressive points total in college, finishing 9th on the all-time scoring list. After Week 1, he looked like he could focus on scoring with feeds from his new best friend, Lyle Thompson. 

Friday afternoon we found out that Lyle will be out for an undisclosed time with an upper-body injury. Nolting is comfortable as a distributor but should thrive as a scorer when Lyle returns.

Nakeie Montgomery (Redwoods)

Nakeie got off to a hot start in Week 1 against the Atlas, scoring a 2-point and 1-point goal.

The Redwoods have looked out of sorts this season. The Atlas torched them and Jack Kelly in the second half of the first game to pull away. The Chrome then blasted the Woods 12-3 in the opening game on Friday night. Nat St. Laurent and the woods’ staff have their work cut out for them.

Jack Hannah (Waterdogs)

It took Jack a few weeks to get hot in the 2022 college lacrosse season for Denver. You could say he is ready now. Is there a sweeter sound in lacrosse? (Well, I guess not for a goalie.)

Koby Smith (Atlas)

Koby was a dynamic threat in the transition game for Towson throughout his career. He showed us last week against the Cannons there is more of that to come.

Roman Puglise (Whipsnakes)

The Whipsnakes received bad news before Week 1 when they found out that their SSDM would be out for the season with an upper-body/arm injury. I haven’t seen what the official injury was, but I did find out what a warrior Roman was for the Terps in the national championship game. 

In an interview with Quint Kessenich, Terps Head Coach John Tillman said that Roman was not able to pass or catch in the championship game. That didn’t stop Roman from playing his SSDM position, where contact isn’t an option.

Hats off to Roman. I wish him a speedy recovery and can’t wait to see him on the field next season. Puglise’s absence this season should allow undrafted rookie Brennan Kamish an opportunity to secure one of the three SSDM positions for the rest of the PLL season.

Oh, Canada!

It’s a rough time to be a PLL rookie from Canada. Visa issues cost them playing time in Weeks 1 and 2. I spoke to Dan on Wednesday and he told me he had heard it’s still day to day.

This is unfortunate and a bit puzzling. How does the PLL not have someone on this right away to make sure this doesn’t happen? Here is hoping it can be cleared up quickly.

Enjoy the games this weekend! We will check back in on the Class of 2022 around the All-Star Break. 

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Welcome to the Lax All Stars 2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights series!

The PLL College Draft was held April 26, introducing 32 players into the PLL fold. The league’s training camp is set for May 28 through June 3 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, to determine the final rosters of the eight teams for the 2021 campaign.

Not all 32 of these players will make a team, but right now, the dream is alive for them all. We’re counting down the days until the PLL opens up its training camp by delving deep into every player selected in the 2021 PLL College Draft, with two players included in each post, with help from Ryder Cochrane, Ryan Conwell, Nick Zoroya, and Nick Pietras.

Next up: Nick Grill and Gerard Arceri.

2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights: Nick Grill & Gerard Arceri

Nick Grill

School: Maryland 

Position: Defense 

Who drafted him & when: Nick Grill was selected No. 31 overall (Round 4, Pick 7) by Whipsnakes LC.

Is this about where he was expected to go: It was pretty alarming to see the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year fall this low in the draft. He has progressively gotten better year after year and is having his breakout season his senior year. Nick Grill should’ve been a second round pick, but it’s understandable why teams have their concerns. 

What are the main skills he brings to the team: Nick Grill is 5-foot-8, which is a glaring issue when you have to guard players like Jules Heningburg, who is 6-foot-2. This was the main reason he fell so low in the draft as teams didn’t want to take a chance on a guy who might not be able to keep up with bigger attackmen. That being said, Grill certainly checks off all the other boxes when it comes to being an elite defenseman. He currently has 38 ground balls and 16 caused turnovers this season. He plays very fundamental lacrosse and has phenomenal vision.

How’s the fit: The fit is perfect as Jim Stagnitta added another Terrapin to his strictly-Maryland defense. If any team was going to take Nick Grill, it was certainly going to be the Whipsnakes. Having already known the Maryland defense, Grill will have no issue fitting into this defensive scheme. Also having your entire defense consist of Maryland alumni only enhances the team chemistry.

Who’s the competition & what are the odds he makes the team: It will be interesting to see how training camp goes as he definitely could make the roster as a backup pole. It all really boils down to if he can hang with some of the best players in the world, which is no small feat. I personally see Nick Grill making the Whipsnakes roster as the team is currently shorthanded on D-poles.

Gerard Arceri

School: Penn State 

Position: Faceoff

Who drafted him & when: Gerard Arceri was selected No. 26 overall (Round 4, Pick 2) by Atlas LC.

Is this about where he was expected to go: I’m happy to see Gerard Arceri get picked up by a PLL team. With the faceoff position being such an exclusive club at the professional level, it wouldn’t have been surprising if Arceri fell to free agency. No one really expected Arceri to go anywhere as not many teams in the league need faceoff help right now, especially a FOGO coming out of the fourth round.

What are the main skills he brings to the team: Gerard Arceri was the starting faceoff man for the Nittany Lions for five-straight years. He finished his career at Penn State with a 62% faceoff win percentage, which is nothing to be ashamed of. The dude wins faceoffs, and there isn’t really a way around it. Coming in at 6-foot, 200 pounds, he certainly is big enough to battle at the faceoff X at the pro level. During his last two season at Penn State, he only turned over the ball three times, which is phenomenal coming from the faceoff position. He certainly is a valuable asset to have, and it will be intriguing to see if he can keep up with the seasoned veterans in the league. 

How’s the fit: The fit is decent, to say the least. The Atlas currently have Trevor Baptiste as their faceoff man, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. Gerard Arceri would have fit in well on any team as a second string FOGO, but it’s nice to see him on Atlas where Arceri can certainly learn a thing or two from Baptiste. Especially considering he was a fourth round pick, this is a definite win for the Atlas as there isn’t a lot of risk in this pick, which is rare coming out of the fourth round.

Who’s the competition & what are the odds he makes the team: Gerard Arceri certainly makes the team to serve as the backup faceoff man. You could make the argument that Baptiste is his competition, but Arceri isn’t a starter in this league yet, so I don’t think it’s fair to compare him against the current Atlas No. 1. Arceri will serve his role as the backup up nicely and gain a ton of knowledge from Baptiste in the long run.

More PLL Rookie Spotlights

There will be plenty of PLL Rookie Spotlights to check out between now and the start of training camp. You can find information about the incoming rookie class here.

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Welcome to the Lax All Stars 2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights series!

The PLL College Draft was held April 26, introducing 32 players into the PLL fold. The league’s training camp is set for May 28 through June 3 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, to determine the final rosters of the eight teams for the 2021 campaign.

Not all 32 of these players will make a team, but right now, the dream is alive for them all. We’re counting down the days until the PLL opens up its training camp by delving deep into every player selected in the 2021 PLL College Draft, with two players included in each post, with help from Ryder Cochrane, Ryan Conwell, Nick Zoroya, and Nick Pietras.

Next up: Kyle Thornton and Colin Squires.

2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights: Kyle Thornton & Colin Squires

Kyle Thornton

School: Notre Dame

Position: Defense

Who drafted him & when: Kyle Thornton was selected No. 22 overall (Round 3, Pick 6) by Chaos LC.

Is this about where he was expected to go: Kyle Thornton is a defenseman you can build your defensive identity around. In a normal year, one where you don’t have an influx of players coming over from a rival league, I think Thornton is a high second-round pick. It just so happened that this year, the college draft was a bit offense heavy, pushing him to late in the third round.

What are the main skills he brings to the team: Like all Notre Dame close defenders, Kyle Thornton is pro ready. He has a skill set to build your defensive identity around. He excels in communication, on ball defense, and is the off-ball defender the Chaos need to bring a little more organization to the unit. 

How’s the fit: Players like Kyle Thornton allow the rest of the defense to play to their strengths. In other words, he allows guys like Reh, Rowlett, Neumann, and Surdick to eat and take chances knowing that Thornton is behind them keeping things in order.

Who’s the competition & what are the odds he makes the team: As pretty much the only true defender added by Towers this offseason, and given his unique set of skills, I think it’s just about a lock that Kyle Thornton makes the game roster.

Colin Squires

School: Denver

Position: Defense

Who drafted him & when: Colin Squires was selected No. 23 overall (Round 3, Pick 7) by Whipsnakes LC.

Is this about where he was expected to go: While Colin Squires isn’t as well known as the defenders chosen before him, that doesn’t mean he isn’t a stud. He quietly quarterbacked the defense of the seventh-ranked Denver Pioneers.

What are the main skills he brings to the team: Versatility (Colin Squires can play low or run between the boxes) and leadership (THE guy for Denver).

How’s the fit: I’m not really sure how well Colin Squires will fit in with the current Whipsnakes unit. It returned its four Maryland poles while adding Nick Grill in the college draft and Alex Spring from the player pool.

Who’s the competition & what are the odds he makes the team: This is where things get interesting. I understand that Tierney’s thoughts on Colin Squires helped Stags feel good about the pick, but his fourth-round pick of Nick Grill looks better and better as we see Grill dominate against elite competition in the NCAA Tournament. I think the last spot at pole for the Whips is between Squires and Grill.

More PLL Rookie Spotlights

There will be plenty of PLL Rookie Spotlights to check out between now and the start of training camp. You can find information about the incoming rookie class here.

Lacrosse All Stars - Grow The Game® Powered by Fivestar

Welcome to the Lax All Stars 2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights series!

The PLL College Draft was held April 26, introducing 32 players into the PLL fold. The league’s training camp is set for May 28 through June 3 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, to determine the final rosters of the eight teams for the 2021 campaign.

Not all 32 of these players will make a team, but right now, the dream is alive for them all. We’re counting down the days until the PLL opens up its training camp by delving deep into every player selected in the 2021 PLL College Draft, with two players included in each post, with help from Ryder Cochrane, Ryan Conwell, Nick Zoroya, and Nick Pietras.

Next up: Mac O’Keefe and Jared Bernhardt.

2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights: Mac O’Keefe & Jared Bernhardt

Mac O’Keefe

School: Penn State

Position: Attack

Who drafted him & when: Mac O’Keefe was selected No. 6 overall by Chaos LC.

Is this about where he was expected to go: Yes. The all-time NCAA goals leader does not come along in the draft every year. Mac O’Keefe was absolutely going to be taken in the first round by someone.

What are the main skills he brings to the team: Mac O’Keefe is a bona fide scorer in every sense of the word. While his final season in State College did not produce the numbers we had become accustomed to (nearly half of his lowest previous full season), he also showed in the past how well he works when surrounded with the right pieces and doesn’t need to be all things in the offense.

How’s the fit: This is an interesting question with Mac O’Keefe for the Chaos. In breaking the NCAA record, he joins the following PLL-era players in the top 10: Justin Guterding, Zack Greer, Connor Fields, Dylan Molloy, Miles Thompson, and Wes Berg. What jumps out to me is the fact that Thompson and Berg are both on Chaos right now, Fields was until his rocky 2020 Championship Series, and Molloy was left undrafted in the MLL Entry Draft and not slated for a camp roster. Now, those players all have extremely different styles from O’Keefe, but I think it’s important to note that scoring totals alone should not draw you to any conclusions over how their pro career will go.

Who’s the competition & what are the odds he makes the team: Chaos is loaded with offensive talent right now. There is only one ball, but Mac O’Keefe may be able to carve out a spot as a pure shooter on this team surrounded by players who love to dodge and create. But, as mentioned in the previous section, there are other scorers already on the squad. Most notably, his direct competition would appear to be Chris Cloutier and Miles Thompson. But Chaos does not have a huge number at attack, so the odds that O’Keefe gets a real shot, especially as a first round pick, are extremely high.

Jared Bernhardt

School: Maryland

Position: Attack

Who drafted him & when: Jared Bernhardt was selected No. 19 overall (Round 3, Pick 3) by Chaos LC.

Is this about where he was expected to go: I’m just going to say no, but also yes. Jared Bernhardt is a player that has first rounder written all over him. What complicates things is that he has said that he plans on playing football following this year at Maryland. So, barring some unforeseen change, he will not be playing in the PLL this summer. This means that while he has the talent, with such a small draft, it was not a lock that he would be picked. But it makes sense to take a shot on him. Chaos head coach Andy Towers did the exact same thing a year ago with Jeff Teat. It was possible that Teat would leave Cornell in 2020 but not a lock. So, Towers seems like the coach willing to take a risk for major talent when it’s available. His reward? Rights to Bernhardt for two years.

What are the main skills he brings to the team: Jared Bernhardt is a complete player. He plays great off-ball, can finish, can feed, and can dodge. He’s been truly unguardable for certain games this year. You name it, he does it.

How’s the fit: With a skill set as versatile as Jared Bernhardt’s, fitting in is not a problem. He’s played with great players while at Maryland, and his role has shifted over time. That’s great news for Chaos, because there’s no promise that this roster will look the same in a year (can we hope for some more expansion?).

Who’s the competition & what are the odds he makes the team: There’s not really any competition to consider right now, because he’s not expected to play this summer. And forecasting a year from now is even more difficult, so I’ll just say pass for now.

More PLL Rookie Spotlights

There will be plenty of PLL Rookie Spotlights to check out between now and the start of training camp. You can find information about the incoming rookie class here.

Lacrosse All Stars - Grow The Game® Powered by Fivestar

Welcome to the Lax All Stars 2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights series!

The PLL College Draft was held April 26, introducing 32 players into the PLL fold. The league’s training camp is set for May 28 through June 3 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, to determine the final rosters of the eight teams for the 2021 campaign.

Not all 32 of these players will make a team, but right now, the dream is alive for them all. We’re counting down the days until the PLL opens up its training camp by delving deep into every player selected in the 2021 PLL College Draft, with two players included in each post, with help from Ryder Cochrane, Ryan Conwell, Nick Zoroya, and Nick Pietras.

Next up: Jake Carraway and Jack Kielty.

2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights: Jake Carraway & Jack Kielty

Jake Carraway

School: Georgetown

Position: Attack

Who drafted him & when: Jake Carraway was selected No. 10 overall (Round 2, Pick 2) by Atlas LC.

Is this about where he was expected to go: I would’ve said he was going to go in the top 10, and this still counts as the top 10. Jake Carraway strikes me as a guy some teams probably had higher on their boards, but a few teams probably had lower, too. 

What are the main skills he brings to the team: Shooting, first of all. Jake Carraway has a rocket of a shot and some nasty flick in his wrists. He can create his own shot, but he might prove to be even scarier as a pro in the Ryan Brown (or Mac O’Keefe) role as a spot-up shooter. Don’t get me wrong, Carraway is plenty good as a dodger. He’s the obvious number one option for a Georgetown team that made it to the quarterfinals. With that said, he did get blanked in the quarterfinals and similarly was quiet in the first game against Denver. Still, while he’s a good main guy, he could be a great secondary guy and focus more on off-ball stuff. 

How’s the fit: Great, considering Atlas basically had nobody left at attack other than Eric Law. The team went ahead and rebuilt the entire attack, meaning that Jake Carraway will have a chance to become one of the attackmen who will start alongside new offensive cornerstone Jeff Teat. If it were me, I’d roll out Carraway and Law and just let the two of them cook as off-ball guys. Teat might have 30 assists as a rookie.

Who’s the competition & what are the odds he makes the team: Jake Carraway will make the team, even if he’s just moved down to middie. He’s too good of a shooter to let go, and he’s capable of carrying an offense in spurts. The question will be who the odd man out is between Carraway, Law, and Mark Cockerton for the final attack spot, and that’s assuming Daniel Bucaro stays at midfield.

Jack Kielty

School: Notre Dame

Position: Defense

Who drafted him & when: Jack Kielty was selected No. 9 overall (Round 2, Pick 1) by Cannons LC.

Is this about where he was expected to go: Depends on who you ask. I’m sure that some draft boards would’ve had Jack Kielty as the top defenseman on the board. Still, this is a fair draft slot for Kielty here. 

What are the main skills he brings to the team: Jack Kielty has practically been a Terminator this season. He doesn’t tire. He feels no pain. He can’t be reasoned with, bribed, or intimidated. All he does is methodically destroy attackmen. Kielty has been one of the best defenders in all of college lacrosse this season, if not the best. He’s a great team defender and a great iso defender, and he should continue on with the Notre Dame tradition of developing top-tier pro defensemen. 

How’s the fit: Splendid, considering there wasn’t really a lot else there in advance. Jack Kielty might end up as the No. 1 cover guy on this squad by the end of the regular season. A lot of the rest of the Cannons’ pole group are more naturally LSMs, and Brodie Merrill is (still excellent but also) old. Kielty seems like he could get a legit chance to be The Guy for this Cannons defense.

Who’s the competition & what are the odds he makes the team: He’ll make the team if he wants to. That’s not even in question for me. His competition for the No. 1 cover man spot is basically Brodie Merrill, Reece Eddy, and Curtis Corley. I think Jack Kielty is as good or better than all those guys are right now. Eddy is more naturally an LSM, or at least that’s where he’s proven successful so far in the PLL.

More PLL Rookie Spotlights

There will be plenty of PLL Rookie Spotlights to check out between now and the start of training camp. You can find information about the incoming rookie class here.

Lacrosse All Stars - Grow The Game® Powered by Fivestar

Welcome to the Lax All Stars 2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights series!

The PLL College Draft was held April 26, introducing 32 players into the PLL fold. The league’s training camp is set for May 28 through June 3 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, to determine the final rosters of the eight teams for the 2021 campaign.

Not all 32 of these players will make a team, but right now, the dream is alive for them all. We’re counting down the days until the PLL opens up its training camp by delving deep into every player selected in the 2021 PLL College Draft, with two players included in each post, with help from Ryder Cochrane, Ryan Conwell, Nick Zoroya, and Nick Pietras.

Next up: Jamie Trimboli and Ryan Smith.

2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights: Jamie Trimboli & Ryan Smith

Jamie Trimboli

School: Syracuse 

Position: Midfield 

Who drafted him & when: Jamie Trimboli was selected No. 29 overall (Round 4, Pick 5) by Redwoods LC.

Is this about where he was expected to go: I wouldn’t have been terribly surprised if Jamie Trimboli made it to free agency. You can look at everyone who was drafted before him and understand why. Trimboli is a strictly offensive midfielder, which I think is what hindered his draft stock so much. With limited roster spots, it becomes difficult to justify drafting a player who can’t play defense. 

What are the main skills he brings to the team: Jamie Trimboli is the definition of a marksman on the lacrosse field. He truly can put the ball anywhere he sees fit, even in the most unlikely of circumstances. It doesn’t matter if he is on the run or completely stationary; that ball is going where he wants it.

On top of this, he is one of the fastest midfielders in this draft class. Trimboli might not be the biggest guy on the field, but he makes up for it with his ability to move his feet faster than anyone else. This speed translates over to his hands as he is able to get his hands free at an alarming speed. If he has any sort of window to get his hands free to take a shot, he has the speed to do so. He can generate so much force on the ball without even needing his full range of motion on a shot. Trimboli can capitalize on even the smallest defensive error, which is terrifying to defenders.

How’s the fit: The fit is interesting, to say the least. The Redwoods midfield is already very offensively-focused, so the addition of Jamie Trimboli is puzzling. The Redwoods certainly would have benefited with the addition of a defensive midfielder, but I think they were surprised Trimboli was still on the board and took him based on his skillset alone. He might not be what Redwoods needed, but he does adds more depth to an aging midfield line.

Who’s the competition & what are the odds he makes the team: I’d say the odds are about 50/50 that he makes the team. Coming in at 5-foot-10, Jamie Trimboli would be on the shorter side for midfielders in the league. He may not be what the Redwoods need right now, which would inevitably be his biggest competition. I’ll be intrigued to see how his training camp goes. I feel like he could turn some heads and become a valuable asset for the ‘Woods if he’s playing at 100%.

Ryan Smith

School: Robert Morris

Position: Attack

Who drafted him & when: Ryan Smith was selected No. 30 overall (Round 4, Pick 6) by Chaos LC.

Is this about where he was expected to go: Ryan Smith wasn’t really on anyone’s radar to be drafted regardless of his phenomenal performance this season. It was kind of a shock to hear his name called. The PLL is already such an attack-heavy league, it was surprising that he was selected coming from a school like Robert Morris. Don’t get me wrong, Robert Morris is a phenomenal program with a ton of skilled players. However, there are some concerns when drafting a player who didn’t come from a major conference as the level of competition is completely different at times. 

What are the main skills he brings to the team: Ryan Smith very much resembles a Canadian Matt Rambo. Smith clocks in at 6-foot-2, 220 pounds and plays a very physical style of lacrosse. He physically brutes through his defenders with ease as he utilizes his size to the best of his ability. Coming from Ontario, Smith’s experience with box lacrosse plays a vital part in his style of play. With 48 goals and 23 assists during his fifth year, Smith can certainly play ball. He also is an animal on ground balls with 102 in his career as an attackman. 

How’s the fit: This fit is awful, and there is no other way around it. The Chaos attack line currently consists of Chris Cloutier, Josh Byrne, Miles Thompson, Wes Berg, and Curtis Dickson. In no world did the Chaos need another attackman, let alone one with so many concerns about how well he will transition over to the league. I do not understand this pick for the life of me, not because Smith definitely won’t work in the PLL, but because he is not what the Chaos need in any way, shape, or form.

Who’s the competition & what are the odds he makes the team: The competition consists of everyone on the Chaos attack line. Smith is really going to have to show up if he wants a chance of making the team. As talented of a player he is, he is surrounded by serious talent that has always competed at a high level. Robert Morris is nothing to be ashamed of, but it’s not the Big Ten or the ACC. I love Smith as a player, but he’s going to have to show up in a big way during training camp if he wants to stay on Chaos.

More PLL Rookie Spotlights

There will be plenty of PLL Rookie Spotlights to check out between now and the start of training camp. You can find information about the incoming rookie class here.

Lacrosse All Stars - Grow The Game® Powered by Fivestar

Welcome to the Lax All Stars 2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights series!

The PLL College Draft was held April 26, introducing 32 players into the PLL fold. The league’s training camp is set for May 28 through June 3 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, to determine the final rosters of the eight teams for the 2021 campaign.

Not all 32 of these players will make a team, but right now, the dream is alive for them all. We’re counting down the days until the PLL opens up its training camp by delving deep into every player selected in the 2021 PLL College Draft, with two players included in each post, with help from Ryder Cochrane, Ryan Conwell, Nick Zoroya, and Nick Pietras.

Next up: Jeff Trainor and Conor Gaffney.

2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights: Jeff Trainor & Conor Gaffney

Jeff Trainor

School: UMass

Position: Midfield

Who drafted him & when: Jeff Trainor was selected No. 18 overall (Round 3, Pick 2) by Archers LC.

Is this about where he was expected to go: Given the other midfielders in this draft class, I think that Jeff Trainor was the best available middie when his name was called. He could have easily been drafted a few picks earlier or later based on specific team needs, but Coach Bates used the pick he received in the Eli Gobrecht trade to make sure he had plenty of midfield depth.

What are the main skills he brings to the team: Coach Bates, like all coaches, prefers to make his job as easy as possible. One sure fire way to do that is to have players who are versatile and fill many roles. Jeff Trainor is that type of player. He reminds me of Zach Currier in his ability to play at both ends of the field, create on offense, score in transition, and mix it up on GBs. After drafting Tre Leclaire earlier, Trainor gives the Archers a midfielder who won’t have to sub immediately in transition.

How’s the fit: The Archers midfield unit has one of the best players in the world in Tom Schreiber but overall lacks offensive production. Other than Schreiber, it really only has three O-mids, and even though the consensus is that one or even two attackmen will run out of the box, Archers need midfielders who can score. As I previously mentioned, Jeff Trainor gives this team a scoring midfielder who can get stuck in transition without being a liability. 

Who’s the competition & what are the odds he makes the team: Given his unique skills set and the way the Archers roster is constructed, I believe Jeff Trainor’s chances of making the team are extremely high. As for who his competition is, that’s a tough question. The Archers have six attackmen on the roster, and some of them will likely play a midfield role, so Trainor could conceivably be competing with seven players for a roster spot.

Conor Gaffney

School: Lehigh

Position: FOS

Who drafted him & when: Conor Gaffney was selected No. 21 overall (Round 3, Pick 5) by Archers LC.

Is this about where he was expected to go: More or less. Conor Gaffney was, without a doubt, a top-five FOS specialist in this draft class, and depending on if you preferred him or Gerard Arceri, he could’ve slipped into the fourth. What I’m saying is, he was projected to be drafted anywhere in the third or fourth round, depending on how much interest FOS drew in the draft.  

What are the main skills he brings to the team: Conor Gaffney was part of a two-headed monster with Mike Sisselberger that helped him improve throughout 2021. He took some time to adjust to the new rules, but he was incredible in previous seasons with the knee down. He possesses a lot of tools that will make him a threat at the pro level: quickness, strength, technique.

How’s the fit: He’s a guy who clearly wants what’s best for the team; he showed that at Lehigh, embracing the meteoric rise of teammate Sisselberger while steadily improving and remaining someone the team could call on when needed. The Archers are full of young talent, and with Conor Gaffney they get another hungry player who could help them get to championship weekend.

Who’s the competition & what are the odds he makes the team: With only Noah Rak (freshly signed after the entry draft) and Stephen Kelly on the roster, I think Coach Bates took Conor Gaffney because he fully intends on keeping him and giving him a shot to become “the guy” for the Archers. Highly certain he makes this year’s team.

More PLL Rookie Spotlights

There will be plenty of PLL Rookie Spotlights to check out between now and the start of training camp. You can find information about the incoming rookie class here.

Lacrosse All Stars - Grow The Game® Powered by Fivestar

Welcome to the Lax All Stars 2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights series!

The PLL College Draft was held April 26, introducing 32 players into the PLL fold. The league’s training camp is set for May 28 through June 3 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, to determine the final rosters of the eight teams for the 2021 campaign.

Not all 32 of these players will make a team, but right now, the dream is alive for them all. We’re counting down the days until the PLL opens up its training camp by delving deep into every player selected in the 2021 PLL College Draft, with two players included in each post, with help from Ryder Cochrane, Ryan Conwell, Nick Zoroya, and Nick Pietras.

Next up: Ryan Tierney and Tre Leclaire.

2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights: Ryan Tierney & Tre Leclaire

Ryan Tierney

School: Hofstra 

Position: Attack 

Who drafted him & when: Ryan Tierney was selected No. 16 overall (Round 2, Pick 8) by Whipsnakes LC.

Is this about where he was expected to go? Sure. Honestly, it’s a little hard to gauge Ryan Tierney’s draft stock. He was probably a fourth rounder before this year, but he’s been rocketing up boards based on his extremely good 2021 season. He’s the all-time goals leader for Hofstra, with 164 goals and 87 career assists. 

What are the main skills he brings to the table? General offensive firepower. This is a guy who Paul Carcaterra had ranked as the 10th-best prospect in late March. He racked up insane production to start off the season, and he’s probably a Tewaaraton finalist if not for Hofstra’s mid-season battle with COVID delays. Ryan Tierney has been The Guy at Hofstra for years. He’s a very capable offensive QB who can attack from anywhere (although he’s particularly deadly on the wings), find the open man if one develops, and score in a variety of ways. I’m not sure that he’ll be an elite two-point threat, but he strikes me as a guy who might have the range to bury one or two from deep, too.

Tierney is a classic pro breakout guy. In the mold of Kieran McArdle before him, I can see Tierney developing into an All-Star quality attackman and a legitimate offensive weapon for the Whipsnakes. Which should be terrifying, given their current attack group. 

How’s the fit? Man, talk about a luxury pick. The Whipsnakes are coming off a Championship Series in which they went undefeated and won their second-straight title. Now, an attack line that already features reigning MVP Zed Williams and former MVP Matt Rambo could also swap out Jay Carlson (at times) with Ryan Tierney.

To begin his career in the pros, this should make it so much easier for Tierney to make an impact. While he might have to run some out of the box, like Brad Smith before him, he’ll go from being the main focus of every defensive game plan to dealing with the third pole and potentially slower slides to boot. Given that situation, I wouldn’t be shocked if Tierney puts up 20-plus goals in year one. 

Who’s the competition & what are the odds he makes the team? Ryan Tierney probably makes the team. If not, he’s certainly good trade bait. It comes down to system fit. Tierney has been playing as the lead guy for years. He’ll have to prove he can play off-ball more and gel with Zed and Rambo. That said, I fully expect him to make the team and get runs at both attack and middie, a la Brad Smith. 

Tre Leclaire

School: Ohio State 

Position: Midfield/Attack 

Who drafted him & when: Tre Leclaire was selected No. 13 overall (Round 2, Pick 5) by Archers LC.

Is this about where he was expected to go: It’s the tiniest bit lower than expected. No. 13 overall is a good draft slot, but I had Tre Leclaire as a back-end first rounder in a lot of my mock drafts. I’m a big believer in the giant Canadian. 

What are the main skills he brings to the table: Tre Leclaire is a monster. At 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, he’s a thick, physical player with the box lacrosse chops to have also been selected No. 4 overall in the NLL Draft. As the all-time leading scorer for the Buckeyes, Leclaire’s primary offensive skill will be his firepower. He’s got legitimate two-point range with a cannon of a step down shot. He’s also played both attack and midfield for Ohio State, so he brings a nice positional flexibility to the Archers. He also, like Jeff Teat, already has experience against these types of players, as Leclaire played in the 2018 World Games with Team Canada, putting up three goals and an assist while just 20 years old at the time. 

How’s the fit: Nearly perfect. I think Chaos would’ve been the perfect fit given its tendency to play box-style, but Archers is a close second. Tre Leclaire has been poled his whole career. That won’t happen with Tom Schreiber on the field. Given the insane number of quality attackmen now on this Archers roster, I’d expect Leclaire to almost exclusively play midfield, but that’s fine. He’ll start off getting short-sticked, and there aren’t too many SSDMs who can stick with him on a sweep. He’ll also share a space with Schreiber and Grant Ament, two of the best passers in the league, looking to feed him, meaning he can use his box background to find open lanes and get opportunities to fire off from deep.

Who’s the competition & what are the odds he makes the team: He’ll make the team. Tre Leclaire is probably the second-best offensive middie on this team if he develops to his full potential. He might cede playing time to guys like Ryan Ambler and Christian Mazzone early, but I’d expect Leclaire to become a closing six guy sooner rather than later. He’s just too talented and too physically gifted not to see the field.

More PLL Rookie Spotlights

There will be plenty of PLL Rookie Spotlights to check out between now and the start of training camp. You can find information about the incoming rookie class here.

Lacrosse All Stars - Grow The Game® Powered by Fivestar

Welcome to the Lax All Stars 2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights series!

The PLL College Draft was held April 26, introducing 32 players into the PLL fold. The league’s training camp is set for May 28 through June 3 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, to determine the final rosters of the eight teams for the 2021 campaign.

Not all 32 of these players will make a team, but right now, the dream is alive for them all. We’re counting down the days until the PLL opens up its training camp by delving deep into every player selected in the 2021 PLL College Draft, with two players included in each post, with help from Ryder Cochrane, Ryan Conwell, Nick Zoroya, and Nick Pietras.

Next up: Charlie Bertrand and Stephen Rehfuss.

2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights: Charlie Bertrand & Stephen Rehfuss

Charlie Bertrand

School: Virginia (Merrimack)

Position: Attack/Midfield

Who drafted him & when: Charlie Bertrand was selected No. 24 overall (Round 3, Pick 8) by Redwoods LC.

Is this about where he was expected to go: This was about right for Charlie Bertrand given who was taken before him. The Redwoods definitely did well to take him while they could.

What are the main skills he brings to the team: Size. Charlie Bertrand is just a handful to deal with, and while he does offer versatility, he’s a bona fide scorer. He was dominant while at Merrimack in DII and was crucial to the team’s national championships. And while he’s been mostly an attackman, he can be incredible as a midfielder in the PLL where he is a matchup nightmare for short sticks.

How’s the fit: For the Redwoods, Charlie Bertrand is a middie who offers a combination of size and skill that they don’t really have. That might mean he’s a fantastic fit where he can find a unique place in the offense. This is a case where his versatility should be a difference maker.

Who’s the competition & what are the odds he makes the team: As a middie, Charlie Bertrand would play in a similar spot to Joe Walters, but his dodging ability would be closer to a Sergio Perkovic or Myles Jones. If he were to just be attack, he is different from everyone on the roster. Given all of this, I really like the odds for Bertrand to be wearing a Redwoods jersey this summer. He’s already proven at UVA that he can quickly adapt to new players around him and still thrive. Doing that again in the PLL could find him a regular spot in the lineup.

Stephen Rehfuss

School: Syracuse

Position: Attack

Who drafted him & when: Stephen Rehfuss was selected No. 25 overall (Round 4, Pick 1) by Cannons LC.

Is this about where he was expected to go: Actually, this was a pretty good pick. Stephen Rehfuss has been very under the radar at Cuse and does not garner nearly the same attention as his fellow ACC attackmen. So, I was not too shocked to see him slide to the fourth round.

What are the main skills he brings to the team: What Stephen Rehfuss has really shown off this season compared to his previous time on the field is his ability to create his own shots. He was always a feeder first and definitely did score plenty of goals. But he really showed off his range this year and that he can be the player that’s needed at the time.

How’s the fit: What’s interesting here is that we don’t exactly know how he’ll fit in with the Redwoods’ offense. While there are absolutely several established players on this team, nobody has a role right now in this offense. Well, Lyle Thompson does.

Who’s the competition & what are the odds he makes the team: Outside of Lyle, the other attackmen Stephen Rehfuss is battling with are primarily Ryan Drenner, Clarke Petterson, Andrew Kew, and Shayne Jackson. You’re looking at most likely keeping five of them in total, so one is probably out. It’s a very tough unit to break into, so his best bet is to have a great camp where he develops strong chemistry with a few other players.

More PLL Rookie Spotlights

There will be plenty of PLL Rookie Spotlights to check out between now and the start of training camp. You can find information about the incoming rookie class here.

Lacrosse All Stars - Grow The Game® Powered by Fivestar

Welcome to the Lax All Stars 2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights series!

The PLL College Draft was held April 26, introducing 32 players into the PLL fold. The league’s training camp is set for May 28 through June 3 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, to determine the final rosters of the eight teams for the 2021 campaign.

Not all 32 of these players will make a team, but right now, the dream is alive for them all. We’re counting down the days until the PLL opens up its training camp by delving deep into every player selected in the 2021 PLL College Draft, with two players included in each post, with help from Ryder Cochrane, Ryan Conwell, Nick Zoroya, and Nick Pietras.

Next up: Justin Anderson and Jackson Morrill.

2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights: Justin Anderson & Jackson Morrill

Justin Anderson

School: North Carolina 

Position: Midfield 

Who drafted him & when: Justin Anderson was selected No. 20 overall (Round 3, Pick 4) by Chrome LC.

Is this about where he was expected to go: Justin Anderson has been very consistent during his five years at North Carolina. It’s hard to find that level of consistency at the college level, especially when playing in the ACC. History has shown that if a player puts up consistent numbers in the ACC, they will transition over well to the PLL, especially coming out of UNC. Coach Breschi has a strong track record of producing professional-level talent such as Chris Cloutier, Jack Rowlett, and Stephen Kelley, just to name a few. The third and fourth rounds are very unpredictable. It’s tough to evaluate talent after the first and second rounds.

That said, I think Anderson falling to the third was a steal for Chrome LC. While he may not be an immediate starter, Anderson definitely has the potential to fill a role on Chrome’s roster.

What are the main skills he brings to the team: Justin Anderson is a role player, and I mean that with the utmost respect. I would consider him to be a jack of all trades but a master of none. He scores goals, racks up assists, gets ground balls, and causes turnovers. While he doesn’t lead the team in any of these categories, his ability to do all of these things is very impressive. There aren’t many true midfielders anymore as the midfield position now tends to be considered strictly offensive or defensive focused – Anderson is the last of a dying breed.

Anderson can compete on a consistent basis, which has been shown over the past five years. He’s started 61 of the 63 games he has played in as a Tar Heel, only missing two contests his freshman year. His experience and on-field IQ alone justifies him a spot on a PLL roster. While he may not be the flashiest player, he has proven that he understands the game and can perform in any situation.

How’s the fit: The Chrome midfield is old, and there is no other way around it. The average age of a Chrome midfielder is 30, with its youngest player being Will Haus coming in at a spry 28 years of age. The Chrome midfield is filled with seasoned veterans like Jeremey Thompson, Ned Crotty, and Jordan MacIntosh. Justin Anderson on the Chrome makes perfect sense as he is put in a position to learn from some of the best while still being able to make an impact on the field. While he may have fallen through the cracks on other PLL rosters, the Chrome really seems like the best fit for the incoming rookie.

Who’s the competition & what are the odds he makes the team: I don’t think Justin Anderson has any real competition on the Chrome’s roster. He can certainly go toe-to-toe with most of these players with his ability to play both sides of the ball being the icing on the cake. I see him securing a roster spot and filling any role needed on the team with the potential to really shine in years to come.

Jackson Morrill

School: Denver

Position: Attack

Who drafted him & when: Jackson Morrill was selected No. 28 overall (Round 4, Pick 4) by Chrome LC.

Is this about where he was expected to go: I’m truly amazed that Jackson Morrill fell this low in the draft. He ranks second at Yale in career points with 220 and is fifth in goals with 113. Morrill finished his graduate year at Denver with 33 goals and 37 assists. He has been on the Tewaaraton watchlist for three straight years and been a consistent Second or Third Team All-American.

Still, he was never really on anyone’s radar for this draft. A few mock drafts had him going late in the fourth round, but he never was really considered to go any higher.

What are the main skills he brings to the team: Jackson Morrill is an interesting lacrosse player with a very unique skill set. He primarily is a midrange scorer with the potential to score from range. I wouldn’t consider him a deep-threat nor would I consider him an inside scorer. Almost all of his goals come from five to 10 yards out with the occasional goal from the crease. Morrill can certainly place the ball where he sees fit but doesn’t really have the size to shoot contested shots. He isn’t the strongest dodger nor is he a very physical player as he normally faces little contact when shooting. One thing that is undisputed is his ability to read the field and make the correct pass. He has no issue finding the open man and can definitely fit a QB style role from X; Morrill has averaged 39 assists in his last three seasons. However, it will be interesting to see how he carries over to the professional ranks. It doesn’t seem like he has a diverse enough skillset to compete at the next level.

How’s the fit: The fit is extremely questionable, to say the least. The Chrome’s attack line is loaded with the likes of Jordan Wolf, Justin Guterding, Brendan Kavanagh, Matt Gaudet and more. With the addition of Colin Heacock and Randy Staats, it becomes more difficult to see where Morrill fits into the equation. I can’t really wrap my head around this draft pick as the Chrome very easily could have added some more depth to their midfield.

Who’s the competition & what are the odds he makes the team: I think Jackson Morrill is a very good college player, but I don’t think he is suited to play at a professional level. He currently is very limited with his skillset, and I feel he has a low ceiling with where he can go. The Chrome currently don’t need him on their roster, so it becomes difficult to justify giving him a official roster spot.

More PLL Roster Spotlights

There will be plenty of PLL Rookie Spotlights to check out between now and the start of training camp. You can find information about the incoming rookie class here.

Lacrosse All Stars - Grow The Game® Powered by Fivestar

Welcome to the Lax All Stars 2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights series!

The PLL College Draft was held April 26, introducing 32 players into the PLL fold. The league’s training camp is set for May 28 through June 3 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, to determine the final rosters of the eight teams for the 2021 campaign.

Not all 32 of these players will make a team, but right now, the dream is alive for them all. We’re counting down the days until the PLL opens up its training camp by delving deep into every player selected in the 2021 PLL College Draft, with two players included in each post, with help from Ryder Cochrane, Ryan Conwell, Nick Zoroya, and Nick Pietras.

Next up: TD Ierlan and Charlie Leonard.

2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights: TD Ierlan & Charlie Leonard

TD Ierlan

School: Denver (Yale, Albany)

Position: FOS

Who drafted him & when: TD Ierlan was selected No. 4 overall by Redwoods LC.

Is this about where he was expected to go: I think that TD Ierlan to the ‘Woods at No. 4 was a bigger lock than the No. 1 overall pick. Everyone knew the Redwoods needed him, and luckily he was available when their turn came. No surprises here.

What are the main skills he brings to the team: A generational talent. TD Ierlan has dominated college lacrosse for what seems like a decade, elevating his game each year, adding to his tool box, and adjusting to new rules. From a faceoff perspective, he is on track to become one of the all-time great professional specialists. 

How’s the fit: The Redwoods need a dominant No. 1 FOS to compete in the league, and they’ve secured just that. Having played on three different college teams, successfully, I have no doubt TD Ierlan will fit in with his new teammates right away.

Who’s the competition & what are the odds he makes the team: You don’t pick a guy in the first round if you don’t plan on keeping him around. TD Ierlan automatically assumes one of the two rostered FO spots that I assume the Redwoods will have.

Charlie Leonard

School: Notre Dame

Position: FOS

Who drafted him & when: Charlie Leonard was selected No. 32 overall (Round 4, Pick 8) by Redwoods LC.

Is this about where he was expected to go: To be honest, I 100% expected Charlie Leonard to be selected from the player pool. Having already selected TD Ierlan in the first round, I was a little surprised the Redwoods drafted a second FOS.

What are the main skills he brings to the team: Charlie Leonard has the potential to be a No. 1 FOS in the PLL. He’s having the best statistical season of his career, and despite having Kyle Gallagher transfer in, he’s proving that he can compete everyday. This past season, he has added to his repertoire of moves, counters, and exits to become a more well-rounded FOS.

How’s the fit: This is a perfect fit if there ever was one. He goes from a college program where he competed everyday with an elite FOS in Gallagher, to a professional team where he will compete everyday with Ierlan. Together, they make a two-headed monster that will never skip a beat. Coach Nat can sleep easy knowing these two guys will get his reworked attack line more looks than ever. I only expect Charlie Leonard to further improve from working with/against Ierlan. We also have the obvious Notre Dame connection, which means Leonard should seamlessly gel with his new teammates.

Who’s the competition & what are the odds he makes the team: Let’s for one second assume that Ierlan is a lock to make the team. That puts Leonard in a three-man race for what appears to be one remaining spot with Peyton Smith and Greg Puskuldjian. Chances to make the team: 50%.

More PLL Rookie Spotlights

There will be plenty of PLL Rookie Spotlights to check out between now and the start of training camp. You can find information about the incoming rookie class here.

Lacrosse All Stars - Grow The Game® Powered by Fivestar

Welcome to the Lax All Stars 2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights series!

The PLL College Draft was held April 26, introducing 32 players into the PLL fold. The league’s training camp is set for May 28 through June 3 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, to determine the final rosters of the eight teams for the 2021 campaign.

Not all 32 of these players will make a team, but right now, the dream is alive for them all. We’re counting down the days until the PLL opens up its training camp by delving deep into every player selected in the 2021 PLL College Draft, with two players included in each post, with help from Ryder Cochrane, Ryan Conwell, Nick Zoroya, and Nick Pietras.

Next up: Danny Logan and Peter Dearth.

2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights: Danny Logan & Peter Dearth

Danny Logan

School: Denver

Position: Short Stick Defensive Midfield

Who drafted him & when: Danny Logan was selected No. 11 overall (Round 2, Pick 3) by Atlas LC.

Is this about where he was expected to go: This was definitely higher than Danny Logan was expected to go. He went as the first SSDM off the board, a spot ahead of Ryan Terefenko. The position pick was not a surprise, though. It’s really where Atlas needed the most adds, and it had the draft picks to get them without needing to reach.

What are the main skills he brings to the team: Danny Logan is a true two-way middie in every sense of the word. What separates him from most other defenders is not his high school accomplishments but that he was an offensive midfielder at Denver, at one time even being on the first line, before shifting to full-time defense. He has also played in every single game he’s been eligible for since arriving on campus.

How’s the fit: While he may not have the size as a Bryan Costabile or Peter Dearth, Danny Logan has the skill and IQ to be a threat and play a very similar role as Costabile did in the 2020 Championship Series. He’ll be able to play good defense and actually be a part of the offense on the other end of the field.

Who’s the competition & what are the odds he makes the team: The rest of the SSDM corps for the Atlas is Jake Richard, Kevin Unterstein, Bryan Costabile, and Peter Dearth. This is one tough unit to break in to. Unterstein is a Team USA member, and Richard has been knocking on the door. Costabile had an incredible debut in 2020 and firmly established a role on the team. That mostly leaves him fighting with Dearth for some playing time, as five SSDMs is a pretty high number to be carrying week to week.

Peter Dearth

School: Syracuse

Position: Short Stick Defensive Midfield

Who drafted him & when: Peter Dearth was selected No. 17 overall (Round 3, Pick 1) by Atlas LC.

Is this about where he was expected to go: This was a little lower than I would have expected to see Peter Dearth taken off the board, but his slide was more due to SSDMs as a whole being taken much later than planned. He was also chosen by Atlas’ next pick after Danny Logan, so even though a few names had come off the board, he was still appealing enough for head coach Ben Rubeor to make the call.

What are the main skills he brings to the team: If you were to create a prototypical SSDM right now, it’s Peter Dearth. At 6-foot-3, he has the size to matchup with even the biggest midfielders in the PLL, and his cover skills are fantastic. Virginia head coach Lars Tiffany mentioned how trying to run an invert offense with Dearth on the field almost defeats the purpose of isolating the short sticks. He has the offensive skills to score, but he hasn’t played settled offensive sets in college like Logan or Costabile.

How’s the fit: In the PLL, he’s the exact type of player you want. It’s tough to tell exactly how he’ll fit into this particular defense, because really the Atlas is changing things up quite a bit after their disappointing 2020 campaign. But it’s hard to have anything but high expectations for the only three-time captain in Syracuse history.

Who’s the competition & what are the odds he makes the team: Without just copying and pasting what I wrote about Logan above, Peter Dearth is in the exact same situation. There are two rookies fighting for spots alongside two very established veterans and one sophomore looking to build on what he did a year ago. It’s not an ideal situation for the rookies, but there isn’t a position in the league this year where competition isn’t happening.

More PLL Rookie Spotlights

There will be plenty of PLL Rookie Spotlights to check out between now and the start of training camp. You can find information about the incoming rookie class here.

Lacrosse All Stars - Grow The Game® Powered by Fivestar

Welcome to the Lax All Stars 2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights series!

The PLL College Draft was held April 26, introducing 32 players into the PLL fold. The league’s training camp is set for May 28 through June 3 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, to determine the final rosters of the eight teams for the 2021 campaign.

Not all 32 of these players will make a team, but right now, the dream is alive for them all. We’re counting down the days until the PLL opens up its training camp by delving deep into every player selected in the 2021 PLL College Draft, with two players included in each post, with help from Ryder Cochrane, Ryan Conwell, Nick Zoroya, and Nick Pietras.

Next up: Tanner Cook and Kyle Gallagher.

2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights: Tanner Cook & Kyle Gallagher

Tanner Cook

School: North Carolina

Position: Midfield

Who drafted him & when: Tanner Cook was selected No. 15 overall (Round 2, Pick 7) by Chaos.

Is this about where he was expected to go: This seems entirely reasonable, especially when you remember that Tanner Cook is Canadian and this is Chaos we’re talking about.

What are the main skills he brings to the team: All of them? That’s a bit hyperbolic, but Tanner Cook is a well-balanced (22G, 9A) midfielder on the offensive side of the ball who can probably take some D runs if needed. He’s a big, bruising middie with great stick skills and a nose for the ball. The comp is a little too obvious considering UNC and thicc Canadian, but his offensive game reminds me of Chris Cloutier. Fitting, as they’re about to be teammates.

How’s the fit: Fantastic. Tanner Cook is such an obvious Chaos guy that I’m surprised he wasn’t automatically slotted on to the Chaos squad. Cook is yet another smart, physical box player who should fit in perfectly with the All-NLL roster that Coach Towers is building. He can dodge to score or to feed from up top and should develop good chemistry with the guys around him. A potential midfield line of Cook, Dhane Smith, and Austin Staats has me salivating already to see who has enough physicality in their SSDMs to stop them.

Who’s the competition & what are the odds they make the team: Tanner Cook will make the team. He’s probably not a guy who will instantly break out as a household name, but I think he has the potential to have a similar level of impact for Chaos as Deemer Class did in 2019. He won’t be the best midfielder Chaos has at any one thing, but he’s well-balanced and can provide help in multiple ways. I’d expect him to start the year off as a second-line offensive midfielder and maybe a man-up guy, but he has the talent to turn that into a first-line gig if the season goes as planned for him.

Kyle Gallagher

School: Notre Dame 

Position: Faceoff Specialist

Who drafted him & when: Kyle Gallagher was selected No. 14 overall (Round 2, Pick 6) by Chaos.

Is this about where he was expected to go: It’s a little high for Kyle Gallagher, but with TD Ierlan already off the board, any team looking for faceoff help was going to have to reach some. 

What are the main skills he brings to the team: Kyle Gallagher is one of the best faceoff guys in this draft class. He led the nation in ground balls per game in the shortened 2020 season while still playing at Penn. In 2019, his last full season with the Quakers, he set Penn’s single-season faceoff wins record, as well as posting the 16th-most wins and 16th-most ground balls by a DI player in a season ever. 

How’s the fit: Well, that sort of depends. The nice thing about faceoff guys is that they generally fit into whatever system they’re going to. Chaos was one of the worst teams at the faceoff X in 2020. Despite that, it made the final. With a better faceoff game and more possessions, it’s entirely possible that Chaos could be elite. With that said…

Who’s the competition & what are the odds he makes the team: …it’s a little weird that Chaos chose to spend its second-round pick on a faceoff guy when it’d just spent its first round Entry Draft selection on Max Adler. Sure, Chaos turns a weakness into a strength, but it feels like Kyle Gallagher was a guy who could’ve gotten a shot to be The Guy. Instead, he almost certainly starts his PLL career as Adler’s backup and a rotational player for Chaos. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it’s a little odd to spend such a high pick on a rotational guy.

More PLL Rookie Spotlights

There will be plenty of PLL Rookie Spotlights to check out between now and the start of training camp. You can find information about the incoming rookie class here.

Lacrosse All Stars - Grow The Game® Powered by Fivestar

Welcome to the Lax All Stars 2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights series!

The PLL College Draft was held April 26, introducing 32 players into the PLL fold. The league’s training camp is set for May 28 through June 3 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, to determine the final rosters of the eight teams for the 2021 campaign.

Not all 32 of these players will make a team, but right now, the dream is alive for them all. We’re counting down the days until the PLL opens up its training camp by delving deep into every player selected in the 2021 PLL College Draft, with two players included in each post, with help from Ryder Cochrane, Ryan Conwell, Nick Zoroya, and Nick Pietras.

Next up: Dox Aitken and Connor Kirst.

2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights: Dox Aitken & Connor Kirst

Dox Aitken

School: Virginia 

Position: Midfield 

Who drafted him & when: Dox Aitken was selected No. 8 overall by Atlas LC.

Is this about where he was expected to go: Based on Dox Aitken’s 2021 season alone, he could have easily fallen to the second or even the third round. He currently has 15 goals this season, which is an abysmal amount when compared to years past. Aitken had 29 goals in his freshman year, 39 in his sophomore season, and 44 in his junior campaign. His production level has certainly dropped as he is recording career-low numbers during his time as a Cavalier. Aitken definitely can play lacrosse at a high level, which has been shown in the past. It seemed like a stretch to take him in the first round, but I don’t want that to take anything away from his ability as a lacrosse player, because he is still one of the top offensive midfielders in this class.

What are the main skills he brings to the team: Dox Aitken is a phenomenal offensive midfielder who can truly score from anywhere on the field. He may not be the flashiest player, but he certainly understands how to manipulate a defense, especially in one-on-one scenarios. Aitken sticks to the fundamentals while keeping his eyes upfield and will not hesitate to capitalize on defensive errors. You never know if he will take a big step-down shot or shift past a defender toward the goal and shoot the second he has his hands free. He isn’t reliant on fake shots or even fancy footwork. His shot placement is impeccable as he truly doesn’t have a preference with where he puts the ball in the net. Everything he does on the field comes from intention and is rarely reactionary, which may hurt or help him in the league. His low numbers this season definitely raise some concerns, but he absolutely has the potential to go back to his old scoring ways. 

How’s the fit: The Atlas certainly had the most interesting approach to the entry draft as they looked to completely rebuild after trading away Paul Rabil and Rob Pannell just a few months ago. With the intention of bringing in an entirely new squad with their plethora of draft picks, the Atlas did just that as they filled virtually every hole the team had/created. Dox Aitken’s play style very much resembles Bryan Costabile’s, which is very intriguing considering how much potential Costabile showed last year. Aitken is in an interesting position as the Atlas are going through a rebuild, meaning the team currently doesn’t have an identity, which is rarely a good thing for incoming rookies. My gut reaction says Aitken will struggle in his first year, not due to his ability as a lacrosse player, but because of the current state of the team. 

Who’s the competition & what are the odds he makes the team: Dox Aitken will certainly make the team as the Atlas really need the depth at the midfield and he can provide that. Costabile and Aitken will play a similar role on the field, but I have faith that head coach Ben Rubeor will figure that situation out on his own.

Connor Kirst

School: Rutgers

Position: Midfield 

Who drafted him & when: Connor Kirst was selected No. 7 overall by Whipsnakes LC.

Is this about where he was expected to go: There was no real question that Connor Kirst was one of the top offensive midfielders in this class. He had a great career at Villanova and has been playing lights out at Rutgers this season. He could have fallen to the second round, but based on his performance with the Scarlet Knights alone, he has earned his spot as a first-round draft pick. 

What are the main skills he brings to the team: Connor Kirst has been known at the collegiate level for his big step-down shots. He has had no issue finding the back of the cage from 15 yards out, which will carry over well to the two-point line in the PLL. Kirst has the physical size to excel at the next level, too. At 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, he shouldn’t have a problem competing toe-to-toe with any SSDM in the league. He definitely has the ability to carry the ball over in transition, which will be crucial to his play style as I see a lot of his goals coming in transition. While he may excel on the offensive side of the ball, he has the athleticism to compete on defense as well. 

How’s the fit: While Connor Kirst would have been a major contributor on any PLL roster, he is put in the best position to succeed with the Whipsnakes for obvious reasons. For starters, the Whipsnakes are the best team in the league with no intention of slowing down anytime soon. Kirst may play a pivotal factor from day one as the team is currently missing a two-point shooter and definitely could use some more assists from its midfield. While Connor never has been known as an assists man, being surrounded by so many goal scorers may create a lot of opportunities for him to move the ball in situations where he may have felt it necessary to shoot at the collegiate level. His ability to score from the top of the box will definitely draw some early slides and create opportunities for him to cycle the sphere. While the Whipsnakes don’t need him to put up astonishing numbers, his skillset and presence on the field will certainly be felt immediately.

Who’s the competition & what are the odds he makes the team: Mike Chanenchuk had a phenomenal 2019 season from beyond the two-point line, racking up seven two-pointers. But his 2020 season only consisted of two two-point goals, and he really lost his presence on this Whipsnakes squad. Connor Kirst has the opportunity to come in and take the reins from the 30-year-old seasoned veteran, but Chanenchuk can still play and might find his way back to his old habits this season. Kirst will definitely make this Whipsnakes roster, but his first year will really show if he can compete in the league as he has to excel at more than just big step-down shots at the pro level.

More PLL Rookie Spotlights

There will be plenty of PLL Rookie Spotlights to check out between now and the start of training camp. You can find information about the incoming rookie class here.

Lacrosse All Stars - Grow The Game® Powered by Fivestar

Welcome to the Lax All Stars 2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights series!

The PLL College Draft was held April 26, introducing 32 players into the PLL fold. The league’s training camp is set for May 28 through June 3 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, to determine the final rosters of the eight teams for the 2021 campaign.

Not all 32 of these players will make a team, but right now, the dream is alive for them all. We’re counting down the days until the PLL opens up its training camp by delving deep into every player selected in the 2021 PLL College Draft, with two players included in each post, with help from Ryder Cochrane, Ryan Conwell, Nick Zoroya, and Nick Pietras.

Next up: Michael Sowers and Ethan Walker.

2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights: Michael Sowers & Ethan Walker

Michael Sowers

School: Duke (Princeton Transfer)

Position: Attack

Who drafted him & when: Michael Sowers was selected No. 2 overall by Waterdogs LC.

Is this about where he was expected to go: Perhaps the most anticipated part of the this year’s draft was whether Michael Sowers or Cornell attackman Jeff Teat would be the first overall pick. Many had Sowers as a lock for most of the offseason, especially with Teat not playing a second of lacrosse in 2021. As the draft got closer, Teat became a popular pick to go No. 1 instead of Sowers. Ultimately, Teat went first to Atlas LC, making Sowers the automatic pick for the Waterdogs.

What are the main skills he brings to the team: Remember what Grant Ament did for the Archers? Michael Sowers has the ability to supercharge the Waterdogs in a very similar way. His quickness is unmatched, he has an uncanny ability to find open teammates, and he can draw a double with the best of them. Let’s just hope head coach Andy Copelan will let Sowers play a bit above the cage.

How’s the fit: As Joe Keegan brought up, the Waterdogs only had 15% of their goals assisted. With Michael Sowers, they have a creator who will break down a defense, beat the first man, draw attention, and find the open looks. He will easily slide into the role of creator and distributor for the offense.

Who’s the competition & what are the odds he makes the team: Like Ament in 2020, Michael Sowers immediately takes his place as QB for his new team. There’s no chance he doesn’t make the team.

Ethan Walker

School: Denver

Position: Attack

Who drafted him & when: Ethan Walker was selected No. 27 overall (Round 4, Pick 3) by Waterdogs LC.

Is this about where he was expected to go: Ethan Walker was slated to go anywhere from the early third to early fourth round. I believe that the skillset he adds made it an easy decision for Coach Copelan to take him in the fourth. 

What are the main skills he brings to the team: Ethan Walker has been coached at an extremely high level throughout his career. He grew up in Ontario before attending the prestigious Culver Military Academy on his way to national power Denver. He has all of the tools you expect from a high-level box player who has also worked under offensive wizard Matt Brown. He can flat out score, has eyes in the back of his head, and at some point we’ll see him hitch a defender into oblivion on NBC this summer.

How’s the fit: Ethan Walker would have been a nice addition to the Waterdogs in any year, but adding him the same year as Michael Sowers makes him an even better fit. Sowers will be drawing doubles and dishing passes everywhere. Who better to receive those passes than Walker, the human hitch? Walker will take advantage of overzealous defenders hoping to quickly recover and find his way to the net. Having a world-class shooter like Ryan Brown opposite him could mean that Walker ends up with just as many assists as goals this season.

Who’s the competition & what are the odds he makes the team: It’s unlikely that Ethan Walker gets cut. His ability to play out of the box as a midfielder makes him more valuable than some of the other attackmen. To start at attack, he’ll be directly competing with Ben Reeves and Michael Kraus.

More PLL Rookie Spotlights

There will be plenty of PLL Rookie Spotlights to check out between now and the start of training camp. You can find information about the incoming rookie class here.

Lacrosse All Stars - Grow The Game® Powered by Fivestar

Welcome to the Lax All Stars 2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights series!

The PLL College Draft was held April 26, introducing 32 players into the PLL fold. The league’s training camp is set for May 28 through June 3 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, to determine the final rosters of the eight teams for the 2021 campaign.

Not all 32 of these players will make a team, but right now, the dream is alive for them all. We’re counting down the days until the PLL opens up its training camp by delving deep into every player selected in the 2021 PLL College Draft, with two players included in each post, with help from Ryder Cochrane, Ryan Conwell, Nick Zoroya, and Nick Pietras.

Next up: JT Giles-Harris and Ryan Terefenko.

2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights: JT Giles-Harris & Ryan Terefenko

JT Giles-Harris

School: Duke

Position: Defense

Who drafted him & when: JT Giles-Harris was selected No. 3 overall by Chrome LC.

Is this about where he was expected to go: This was a little higher than JT Giles-Harris was going in most mock drafts but not by much. He has been considered a solid first rounder for a while.

What are the main skills he brings to the team: Versatility. Early in his career at Duke, he was the solid No. 2 defenseman right alongside PLL defenseman Cade Van Raaphorst. CVR would be drawing the top cover assignments each game while JT Giles-Harris would be the help defender, or he would move to matchup against some of the quicker attackmen.

How’s the fit: Pretty great, actually. A problem top defenders historically ran into in the pro level was they were usually used to be “the guy” who always got paired up with the top opposing attackman. But that’s not really the approach any more. Having defenders to matchup against different attackmen is really what is needed. Guarding Rob Pannell and Grant Ament at X takes two very different approaches. JT Giles-Harris’ career at Duke has allowed him to do a little bit of everything, which is exactly what the Chrome need right now.

After its first season, Chrome brought in current head coach Tim Soudan, who tried to remake the defense as a priority. His top collegiate pick last year was also a close defender, Tom Rigney, but Rigney would go to the MLL for 2020 and isn’t available this year because of military commitments. Combining that with the strong Duke heritage on the Chrome makes Giles-Harris an excellent fit for this defense.

Who’s the competition & what are the odds he makes the team: James Barclay (2020 roster) and Greg Weyl (waiver add) are JT Giles-Harris’ competition. With Rigney out and Foster Huggins on the holdout list, there’s a three-man battle for the third starting spot alongside Jesse Bernhardt and Mike Manley. That spot is also playing to be the future leader of this defense. Drafting young versus trading for options makes him a favorite for not only stepping into a starting role but also being someone Chrome can start building a defense around in coming years.

Ryan Terefenko

School: Ohio State

Position: Short Stick Defensive Midfield

Who drafted him & when: Ryan Terefenko was selected No. 12 overall (Round 2, Pick 4) by Chrome LC.

Is this about where he was expected to go: Not even close. You know a player has fallen a few spots in the draft when the coach drafting them starts laughing in disbelief in the middle of announcing the pick.

What are the main skills he brings to the team: Absolutely everything. Ryan Terefenko is no secret to pro coaches as he is one of those rare midfielders who truly does everything. While he is listed as a short stick, and that has been his primary role, he does a lot more than just trigger transition breaks. He still plays full offensive sets and even faces off.

How’s the fit: Pretty much perfect. This is the type of player Coach Soudan dreams of and exactly the type of player that is starting to bubble to the top of PLL needs lists. With the shorter field and shorter shot clock, having players who can be not just serviceable but GOOD defenders while still being offensive threats is a hot commodity. Realistically, there isn’t a team in the league Ryan Terefenko would not be a great fit for.

Who’s the competition & what are the odds he makes the team: Going into camp, the Chrome have Will Haus, Donny Moss, Ryan Beville, Jeremey Thompson, and Michael Brown in the SSDM corps. With Haus as the solid No. 1, that No. 2 spot is really up for grabs. From that remaining group, only Moss was on the team last summer, which really makes this position battle an interesting one. Ryan Terefenko does get a leg up on the field as the rookie with high expectations, but making sure he doesn’t have any lingering injuries from the college season will be a factor.

More PLL Rookie Spotlights

There will be plenty of PLL Rookie Spotlights to check out between now and the start of training camp. You can find information about the incoming rookie class here.

Lacrosse All Stars - Grow The Game® Powered by Fivestar

Welcome to the Lax All Stars 2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights series!

The PLL College Draft was held April 26, introducing 32 players into the PLL fold. The league’s training camp is set for May 28 through June 3 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, to determine the final rosters of the eight teams for the 2021 campaign.

Not all 32 of these players will make a team, but right now, the dream is alive for them all. We’re counting down the days until the PLL opens up its training camp by delving deep into every player selected in the 2021 PLL College Draft, with two players included in each post, with help from Ryder Cochrane, Ryan Conwell, Nick Zoroya, and Nick Pietras.

First up: Jeff Teat and Jared Conners.

2021 PLL Rookie Spotlights: Jeff Teat & Jared Conners

Jeff Teat

School: Cornell 

Position: Attack

Who drafted him & when: Jeff Teat was selected No. 1 overall by Atlas LC.

Is this about where he was expected to go: I mean, yeah, roughly. There was a lot of debate over the course of the draft leadup between Teat and Duke’s Michael Sowers. The two of them dueled for years as arguably the two best players in the Ivy League. In the end, Jeff Teat was selected first overall, becoming the most recent double No. 1 pick after the Riptide selected him first overall in the 2021 NLL Draft.

What are the main skills he brings to the team: Jeff Teat is a do-it-all attackman who should instantly become the lead quarterbacking attackman on Atlas. A Tewaaraton nominee in both 2018 and 2019, Teat is third all-time in points for the Big Red in just three years and five games (including the shortened 2020 season). He finished his time in Ith-Vegas with 104 goals and 137 assists, showing the balance that makes Teat worthy of the No. 1 overall pick. He’s also a career 43% shooter, showcasing his elite box skills as a finisher. Teat could lead the league in goals or assists, and neither would surprise me (well, as a rookie it might, but we’re talking future props here). 

How’s the fit: If we’re being honest, Atlas basically cleared out its offense in order to hand the keys to Jeff Teat. It might not have known it was going to be Teat at the time, but Atlas moved on from the likes of Paul Rabil and Rob Pannell to rebuild the offense, and Teat now becomes the centerpiece of that rebuild. He’ll slot into the same sort of offensive leadership role that he had at Cornell. There’s not much of a system to fit into yet, because the system likely gets built around Teat at this point. This is a very young offense, and Teat should get to grow with it.

Who’s the competition & what are the odds he makes the team: Jeff Teat is the No. 1 overall pick. He’s 100% going to make the team. The question just becomes who starts at attack for the Atlas around him.

Jared Conners

School: Virginia

Position: LSM

Who drafted him & when: Jared Conners was selected No. 5 overall by Archers LC.

Is this about where he was expected to go: Talent wise, absolutely. Jared Conners is arguably the best defender in the draft, in addition to being a mean transition weapon. Archers specifically is a little odd given it already has a great LSM in Scott Ratliff, but fifth overall isn’t a reach.

What are the main skills he brings to the team: All of them? Okay, probably not faceoffs or goalie play, but Jared Conners does pretty much everything else. He’s a fantastic defender, capable of both causing turnovers and snagging ground balls. He can score or feed in transition, play the wings for faceoffs, play man down, etc. There’s not a lot you’d ask an LSM to do that Conners isn’t already quite good at. 

How’s the fit: A little weird. Not because Jared Conners isn’t a great defender, but because the Archers already had one of the three finalists for LSM of the Year in Scott Ratliff. At 29 years old, it’s not like Ratliff is about to age out any time soon. I’m curious to see what happens with this. They could potentially move one of them to close defense. They could look to trade Ratliff (I wouldn’t, but I’m not in charge). They could also just keep both and run a well-rested LSM every time. That’s a bit of a luxury pick but also a terrifying proposition for opposing midfielders.

Who’s the competition & what are the odds he makes the team: Jared Conners will make the team. He’s a top-five pick, and he’s been comped to Michael Ehrhardt. The fit issue is a bit weird, but I’m not sure if Ratliff is really considered a competition. I don’t think, at least in the short term, that Archers drafted Conners to replace Ratliff, but we’ll see how that situation plays out.

More PLL Rookie Spotlights

There will be plenty of PLL Rookie Spotlights to check out between now and the start of training camp. You can find information about the incoming rookie class here.

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