Everyone selected for the MLL All Star Game has earned their spot one way or another. Here’s why the players selected this year deserve their spots.
Faceoff
Two of the best in the game in Greg Gurenlian and Anthony Kelly have more than earned their slots. Greg should have been an All Star multiple times, but plaguing injuries kept him out. He has bounced back for his first ASG performance, winning 131-211 face-off’s and picking up 54 ground balls. This is Kelly’s fourth All Star Game and has shown why all season, winning 134-223 draws and 47 ground balls. These two gentlemen have fought their entire careers to get to where they are now. The pain all face-off men put themselves through is excruciating, but these two guys have more than paid their dues.
Goalies
Drew Adams, Brett Queener, Jesse Schwartzman and Kip Turner will take their places between the pipes for their respected teams. Since joining Chesapeake, Turner has proven that he is one of the top tier goaltenders in the league. He had his second best save percentage last season when he led his team to the MLL Championship with .544. So far this season, he is at .611 with 107 saves and only 9.78 goals against. Adams has 116 saves with a .547 save percentage letting up 12.05 goals a game. Drew makes saves look entirely easy or difficult, but he always gives his all whenever he takes his place in the crease for the Lizards. Queener is having his most outstanding season of his career. At 4-1, he’s letting up 11.26 goals per game and has made 85 saves so far. An injury to his knee has not stopped the speedster from seeing action or running down the field. Not splitting time has let Brett focus more and become Hamilton’s number one goalie. Schwartzman is the only undefeated goalie left in the MLL. His save percentage is at .573 and has made 90 saves while allowing 9.66 goals per game. The big man out of Hopkins is headed to his sixth MLL ASG, the most out of all the goalies. All four of these men have earned their right to be called All Stars.
Defense
Barney Ehrman and Michael Evans were the two poles selected out of Chesapeake. Evans is participating in his fourth ASG, while Ehrman has broken through for his first ever. Ryan Flanagan and Brett Schmidt are the one two punch coming from Charlotte. Schmidt is another first timer with Flanagan entering just his second All Star weekend. The hometown kids will be sure to put on a good show. Kyle Hartzell will be making his third appearance and rightfully so as he is one of the most electrifying poles in the MLL and the only defender out of Ohio. Brian Karalunas was selected to his second ASG, giving the Lizards another face on defense as he joins teammate Drew Adams down low. Mike Manley gained enough votes to represent Rochester in Charlotte. Kyle Sweeney, Lee Zink and Brodie Merrill round out the top three most experienced defenders elected into the All Star Game. All are the only representatives for their teams, with Sweeney out of Boston for his sixth, Zink traveling from Denver to make his seventh appearance and Merrill flying in from Hamilton to attend his eighth. These defenders go up against the top offensive players in the world in the MLL, and their jobs are not easy. Most of the men listed here are assigned their opponents top players, either shutting them down or keeping them at bay. Some are also the top transitional players in the league and spark their team in more than one way. It will be editing to see who will get what assignment come July 13.
Midfield
Three Canadians are getting their first licks at the MLL ASG in Jordan Macintosh, Kevin Crowley and Zack Greer. These three have been dominant in their careers and are only just getting started. They will sure to be wizards with their sticks and put up goals that no one could ever see coming. Drew Snider will see time in his first all star game in only his second season in the MLL. Greer and Snider will be joined by teammate Jeremy Sieverts, who is taking place in his second ASG. Mike Stone is another second year All Star, who has pushed himself and is shooting his best with a .405 average. Matt Abbott, Steven Brooks and Kevin Buchanan will play in their third all star game. Peet Poillon enters his fourth, Kyle Dixon is at number five, with Paul Rabil and Joe Walters participating in their sixth. Leading the way for the most All Star Games at the midfield position is Matt Striebel, who has been a part of this weekend nine out of the ten years he has been in the league. Since 2004, Matt has made a ruckus of defenses, starting with Philadelphia, going to Chicago and has continued his career with Rochester. Dealing with defensive midfielders and long pole midfielders can put a toll on an offensive midfielders body. A few of these players are defensive midfielders and transitional threats, like Abbott. Running as much as these guys do and what they put themselves through to score goals is insane and watching these guys in Charlotte will be well worth it.
Attack
A lot of first timers at the attack position this year. Chris Bocklet, Ben Rubeor, Steele Stanwick, Ryan Young and rookie’s Kevin Cunningham and Rob Pannell. The two leaders at attack are Ned Crotty who will participate win his third and Drew Westervelt taking part in his fifth game. These guys go up against the toughest defenders in the MLL and work hard to get the easiest goals. Getting battered and bruised is just part of the job and these guys go home with some pretty good contusions. Look for these fellas to put on a show.
The Major League Lacrosse All Star Game will take place on July 13 in Charlotte, N.C. at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Some of the best talent in the world will be present and fans will be treated to one of the best shows money can buy.
