Four Hounds Selected to MLL All-Star Game
June 13, 2012 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Charlotte Hounds News Release
Major League Lacrosse announced Wednesday the rosters for the 2012 All-Star Game, Presented by Moe's Southwest Grill to be held on June 30 at FAU Stadium in Palm Beach County, Fla., and Stephen Berger, Billy Bitter, Ryan Flanagan and Jovan Miller of the Charlotte Hounds have been selected to participate. For the first time in league history, MLL allowed fans to vote to send their favorite players to the game, which counted for one third of the overall voting process. The game will feature a Young Guns vs. Old School format. Players who joined the league between 2001-08 will compete for the Old School team while players who joined between 2009-12 will compete for the Young Guns.
Berger, who was drafted by the Long Island Lizards in 2004, is the only Hounds player representing the Old School team. This is the sixth straght All-Star selection for the midfielder. Six weeks into this season, Berger has 14 goals (2-2 pointers) and 7 assists for a team high 23 points. The 23 points also rank him second overall in MLL.
Bitter, who played nine games for the Denver Outlaws in 2011, will be making his first All-Star appearance. Bitter said, "I am honored and very excited to have been selected to the Young Guns team for All-Star weekend. I want to thank all that voted for me. I am looking forward to an eventful weekend in Florida and playing with some of the best players in the world." The attackman currently has 6 goals and 4 assists (10 points) with the Hounds.
Miller, who played seven games with the Rochester Rattlers in 2011, is another first time MLL All-Star. The midfielder has already doubled his goal production from last year, having scored 8 goals in the first six weeks of the season, including his first career 2-point goal. Miller is tied for fifth on the Hounds with 11 total points.
Flanagan also will be making his first All-Star appearance. The defenseman missed the 2011 season due to injuries, but has made a big impression in his rookie season. He currently leads the Hounds with 20 ground balls, which also ranks him 11th overall in the league. Flanagan said, "It is an honor to represent the Charlotte community and the Charlotte Hounds in the 2012 MLL All-Star Game. I cannot thank the fans enough for their suport and for making my first season in the MLL such a positive experience so far. As professional lacrosse players, we truly play for the love of the game and for the fans. Hopefully we -- myself and the Charlotte community -- can enjoy many All-Star Games to come."
The Young Guns team will be coached by first-year Cannons Head Coach Steve Duffy, while Ohio Machine Coach Ted Garber -- who was a coach in the MLL Summer Showcase and in the league's inaugural year -- will head the Old School team. The game will be televised live on ESPN2 HD at 7:30pm ET. Tickets to the event can be purchased through Ticketmaster.
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Major League Lacrosse Stories from June 13, 2012
- Six Nationals Named to MLL All-Star Game - Hamilton Nationals
- Four Hounds Selected to MLL All-Star Game - Charlotte Hounds
- Machine Players Named to All-Star Team - Ohio Machine
- Seven BayHawks Make 2012 All-Star Rosters - Chesapeake Bayhawks
- MLL All-Star Game Rosters Announced - MLL
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