Spillett Going Back to His MLL Roots
April 14, 2012 - Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Hamilton Nationals News Release
The last time Brandon Spillett was on a Major League Lacrosse field, he was hoisting the Steinfeld Cup at Harvard Stadium. It has been nearly four years since that sunny afternoon in Boston, but Spillett still has the same passion to play the game. That's why after taking the last three seasons off, the Liverpool, NY, native is returning to the MLL with the Hamilton Nationals.
"Lacrosse is my passion. I hoped to play last season, but it was last minute and I had things already booked and planned," he said. "With expansion, it has given me another chance to play."
The 28-year-old attackman last played in 2008 with the Rochester Rattlers. In 2007, he played in 10 games with Rochester and collected 19 goals and nine assists to finish fifth on the team with 28 points. The 2008 campaign produced his first and only MLL championship.
"In Rochester, I had a chance to play with some of the greatest names to ever play the game," said Spillett about a roster that included John Grant Jr., Casey Powell, Jordan Hall, Brett Queener, Colin Doyle, Gavin Prout, Brodie Merrill, Joe Walters, Chris Schiller and Alex Smith. "Winning the championship was definitely a highlight."
This season, Spillett has been reunited with some of the players and staff from the 2008 team. He joins Powell, Hall, Queener, Walters, Nick O'Hara and Sol Bliss on the Nationals after getting selected in the seventh round (55th overall) of the 2012 MLL Supplemental Draft . Like the Rattlers of 2008, the Nationals roster also features General Manager Jody Gage and Head Coach Regy Thorpe, who was an assistant in Rochester.
"I know Regy very well and a bunch of guys that I played in Rochester are on the Hamilton roster," said Spillett. "It helps that I have a familiarity with the guys."
Spillett, who works in sales at Ryan Homes, has tried to stay as close to the game as possible by following the college game and playing in local box and outdoor leagues in Syracuse.
During his collegiate career, he was a two-time All-American at Le Moyne College. In his career with the Dolphins, he recorded 112 goals, 73 assists and 185 points from 2002-05. He finished third on the program's all-time goals list, fourth in assists and sixth in points. In 2004, he was honored as the Most Outstanding Player at the national championship game. Spillett scored seven goals, including the game-tying and game-winning goals, as Le Moyne defeated Limestone 11-10.
On Saturday, April 28th, Spillett will hit the turf for practice with the Nationals. He has an opportunity to prove that he can produce at the pro level.
"I need to play within myself and know what I am capable of doing out there," he said. "I will work hard and show them I can still play at this level and belong on the team."
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Major League Lacrosse Stories from April 14, 2012
- Spillett Going Back to His MLL Roots - Hamilton Nationals
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