Atlanta Blaze Acquire Powerhouse Defender
March 20, 2018 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Atlanta Blaze News Release
Kennesaw, GA - Today the Atlanta Blaze finalized a trade with the Florida Launch, receiving powerhouse defender Liam Byrnes in exchange for picks 11 and 24 in the upcoming MLL collegiate draft. This will be Byrnes' third season in the league after spending the two years with the Florida Launch and helping to bring them to the playoffs in 2017.
Byrnes, a resident of Atlanta, will be playing for his home team. "I''m happy to be playing for the city that I work and coach in. For the growth of the sport I think it's good for the kids to have another professional player who they get to interact with coaching them at all levels from beginners to high schoolers. Over the past couple of months I've gotten to know Liam Banks and believe in him and what he's going to be able to do with this Blaze team."
Liam Byrnes attended Marquette University and was named the Big East Conference Defender of the Year in 2016. He was selected 21st overall by the Launch in the 2016 collegiate draft. General Manager Spencer Ford has high hopes for what Byrnes will bring to the team: "Liam is quickly becoming a top defender in the MLL. This will be the first year that he is available for training camp, to get to know his fellow teammates and understand how each one plays will enable him to take another step to being a premier stopper. He has an unbelievable ability to play up top or down low, cover big or small and is fantastic off the ground, we are excited for next week and beyond!"
Head Coach Liam Banks is equally excited about having Byrnes playing in Atlanta, saying, "The Atlanta Blaze coaching staff and organization are extremely excited to add Liam Byrnes to the roster. Liam is an All World caliber player who has been successful at every level of play. He is also a 14 game guy who lives in Atlanta, and our organization felt like he was an extremely important player to add to the roster. Liam coaches locally and is already a fixture in the Atlanta community. I know many young players are going to be excited to see his long hair flowing in a Blaze jersey."
See Liam Byrnes and the rest of his Blaze teammates open up the 2018 season on Sunday, April 22nd at 2pm against Byrnes' former team, the Florida Launch. Get tickets now at AtlantaBlaze.com/Tickets.
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Major League Lacrosse Stories from March 20, 2018
- Machine Add Five Via Player Pool - Ohio Machine
- Atlanta Blaze Acquire Powerhouse Defender - Atlanta Blaze
- Ohio Machine Extend Partnership with the Spot Athletics - Ohio Machine
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