Hounds Active in Offseason with Player Signings
December 28, 2016 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Charlotte Hounds News Release
Charlotte, N.C. - The Charlotte Hounds of Major League Lacrosse, the premier outdoor professional lacrosse league, announced today that they have agreed to a multiyear contract with attackman Joey Sankey through the 2018 season. Joey joins a handful of other offseason player signings as the front office works to solidify a young and powerful core.
At the 2015 MLL Collegiate Draft, the Hounds orchestrated a Draft Day trade to move up and select Sankey ninth overall. He appeared in nine regular-season games, amassing 22 goals (one 2-pointer) and 11 assists for a team-high 34 points. The attackman also posted a shooting percentage of 33.8%, the best of any Hounds player with 20 shots or more. In his MLL debut on May 23 against the Boston Cannons, Sankey tied the Hounds' single-game record of 8 points, tallying 5 goals and 3 assists. He earned two Cascade Rookie of the Week nods and at the conclusion of 2015, Sankey was voted 2015 Cascade Rookie of the Year.
There was no "sophomore slump" for Sankey, who lead the Hounds with 54 points -- a new single-season record -- and earned his second-straight All-Star Game nomination. He tallied a team-high 26 assists -- another new single-season record -- and added 28 goals. In addition, Sankey collected 31 groundballs. He was named Week 1's Warrior Offensive Player of the Week following a nine-point performance -- yes, another Hounds record -- against the Boston Cannons in the season opener. He has recorded at least one point in each game of his MLL career.
Collegiate: Sankey graduated from North Carolina as the men's lacrosse program's all-time leader in points, with 229. He was a three-time USILA All-America and three-time All-ACC selection. Sankey was second on the team in assists, 38, and points, 72. He ranked third for the Tar Heels in goals, 34, and groundballs, 49. The attackman ranks as UNC's third-leading scorer with 125 career goals. He also finished third in career assists with 104.
In addition to Sankey, the Hounds also recently signed Michael Ehrhardt, Charlie Cipriano, John Haus, Will Haus and Mike Chanenchuk to two-year deals. Coming off their best season since advancing to the 2013 MLL Championship game, the Front Office set plans in motion this offseason to form a solid, young group of players to build around, with sights set on a return to the Playoffs in 2017.
The Hounds begin the 2017 season at home versus the defending Champion Denver Outlaws on Saturday, April 22, 2017. Season Tickets are on sale now.
For more information, please visit http://www.charlottehounds.com .
• Discuss this story on the Major League Lacrosse message board...
Major League Lacrosse Stories from December 28, 2016
- Atlanta Blaze Hires Jim Pfeifer as President - Atlanta Blaze
- Hounds Active in Offseason with Player Signings - Charlotte Hounds
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
