By: Tim Yilmaz, Beat Writer New York Lizards
The New York Lizards season opener is less than a month away. So what have your 2015 World Champs been up to since they hoisted the championship trophy in 2015? Are they ready to defend the title?
New York utilized the off season to add depth to its loaded roster. During the off season New York traded Ned Crotty to Rochester for Dave Lawson and a 2016 Collegiate Draft pick. The Lizards also picked up Jake Tripucka from the Charlotte Hounds for a Supplemental Draft pick.
In the Supplemental Draft, the Lizards added 12 players to their roster with the focus on adding more depth to the midfield and included notable pickups like Jordan Hall, Cody Jamieson, and Michael Kimmel. Five new midfielders join two attackers; two defensemen; one face-off specialist; and two goalies.
In November 2015, the Atlanta Blaze picked up former Lizards attackman Ryan Walsh in the Expansion Draft. During his rookie season, Walsh tallied 10 goals and five ground balls over seven games in the regular season. However, due to a recent trade, Ryan Walsh is heading back to New York as the Lizards traded Conrad Oberbeck to the Blaze.
During the Collegiate Draft, the Lizards made their first selection in the third round and picked up attackman James Pannell, brother of Lizards All-Star Attackman, Rob Pannell. New York selected six collegiate players in the draft made up of four attackmen; one midfielder; and one defenseman.
Following the drafts, the Lizards have continued to stay busy with multiple trades. Through a trade with the Denver Outlaws, the Lizards will pick up Luke Duprey and Andrew Hodgson.
This new roster will be anchored by many notable veterans. Leading the team into the 2016 season will be 2015 MLL Coca-Cola MVP and FO Athlete of the Year Greg Gurenlian; 2015 ALL-MLL team members Paul Rabil; and Rob Pannell; 2015 MLL All-Stars Kyle Hartzell and JoJo Marasco; 2015 Warrior Defensive Player of the Year Joe Fletcher; and 2015 MLL Maverick Goalie of the year Drew Adams.
The season will kick off with a rematch of the 2015 Championship Game on Saturday, April 23rd against the Rochester Rattlers. The Lizards have another star studded roster. Can they repeat? We shall find out soon enough.
Tim Yilmaz, Beat Writer New York Lizards
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