MLL Releases 2012 Expansion Draft Results, Announces Trades
December 7, 2011 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL) News Release
BOSTON, Mass. (December 7, 2011) - Major League Lacrosse (MLL) announced Wednesday the results of the 2012 MLL Expansion Draft, the first of three major drafts slated to take place prior to the 2012 MLL season. In an effort to fill out their inaugural rosters, the Charlotte Hounds and Ohio Machine had 12 and 11 picks, respectively.
"We were very excited by today's draft results as our two new teams were able to fill their rosters with some incredible talent," said MLL Commissioner David Gross.
Almost one year ago, the League announced its multi-year expansion plan, naming the Charlotte Hounds and Ohio Machine as the first new teams to begin play in 2012. The MLL Expansion Draft, consisting of 15 rounds, was designed to help the new teams fill out their rosters for the upcoming season. In addition to the new teams, the Boston Cannons, Chesapeake Bayhawks, Denver Outlaws, Hamilton Nationals, and Rochester Rattlers also received picks through trades that transpired this fall.
The Rochester Rattlers boasted the first overall pick (from Ohio through an October trade), and claimed midfielder Dan Burns from the MLL Player Pool. Burns was left unprotected by the Hamilton Nationals after the 2011 season.
The Charlotte Hounds had the second pick in the first round and chose 2011 MLL Rookie of the Year Jeremy Boltus, who was left unprotected by the Hamilton Nationals.
Several major trades were announced during the draft. The first sent Burns back to Hamilton (along with Rochester's 2nd and 3rd round picks in next week's MLL Supplemental Draft) for Kevin Leveille and Hamilton's 2nd round pick in the Supplemental Draft.
The second trade was a high profile move that sent Long Island's Matt Danowski, Stephen Berger, the team's 20th overall selection in the 2012 MLL Collegiate Draft and 3rd round selection in the 2013 MLL Collegiate Draft to the Charlotte Hounds in exchange for Max Quinzani, who was selected by Charlotte in the 2nd round of the Expansion Draft (4th overall). Long Island also received the Hounds' No. 1 pick in the 2012 MLL Collegiate Draft.
"We're thrilled," said Hounds Head Coach Mike Cerino of the trade. "We see Matt and Stephen as building blocks for us. Two great MLL pros with a rich pedigree."
In the third and final trade, the Ohio Machine sent Brian Spallina and their 26th overall selection in the 2012 MLL Collegiate Draft to the Chesapeake Bayhawks for the 21st overall selection in the 2012 MLL Collegiate Draft.
Other notable drafted players included fan-favorite Connor Martin as the first selection by the Ohio Machine (3rd overall). The attackman was left unprotected by the Denver Outlaws after the 2011 MLL season.
MLL veteran Bill McGlone was selected by the MLL Champion Boston Cannons in the 6th round (11th overall selection) which was their first and only selection in the Expansion Draft. McGlone was unprotected by the Denver Outlaws after his 2011 campaign.
Kip Turner, the 2010 MLL Goalie of the Year, was drafted by the Chesapeake Bayhawks in the 7th round (13th overall selection). Turner, who only appeared in three games for the Boston Cannons last year, was left unprotected by the team.
MLL defensive legend Brian Spallina was drafted in the final round by the Ohio Machine (and later traded to the Bayhawks). Spallina, who played for the Long Island Lizards from 2001 - 2002, and 2009 - 2011, was left unprotected by the organization after this past season.
At the end of the 2012 MLL Expansion Draft, teams were allowed to pull back their unprotected players or keep them in the MLL Player Pool if they had not been chosen.
Next in line for the Major League Lacrosse Draft Season is the 2012 MLL Supplemental Draft, which will take place on Wednesday, December 14, 2011. A live blog will be hosted on the MLL website at 1 p.m. ET.
• Discuss this story on the Major League Lacrosse message board...
Major League Lacrosse Stories from December 7, 2011
- Machine Finishes Expansion Draft With 10 Substantial Players For 2012 Season Roster - Ohio Machine
- Nationals Make Moves to Solidify Roster - Hamilton Nationals
- MLL Releases 2012 Expansion Draft Results, Announces Trades - MLL
- Kip Turner Selected with Chesapeake's Only Expansion Draft Pick - Chesapeake Bayhawks
- Blockbuster Trade for Charlotte Hounds - Charlotte Hounds
- Hounds Select Boltus with 1st Pick in MLL Expansion Draft - 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.
