The Florida Launch, Major League Lacrosse’s newest team, and the 2013 MLL Champion Chesapeake Bayhawks have executed a blockbuster trade that sees three-time MLL Champion Casey Powell go to Florida in exchange for All-Star midfielder Joe Walters.
“I am absolutely thrilled to add Casey Powell to the Florida Launch roster,” said Launch Head Coach Stan Ross. “He is one of the all-time greats in the MLL. Casey is not only second in all time points in MLL history, but he will bring a great deal of experience and leadership to our team. Casey is going to play a huge role in building the Florida Launch team and organization.”
The Bayhawks also receive the 21st overall selection in the 2014 Collegiate Draft, while the Launch get the 10th selection in the Collegiate Draft and the eighth pick in the 2014 Supplemental Draft.
Powell is one of the few players remaining from the league’s inaugural season in 2001 and played in the league’s 2000 Summer Showcase, which started it all. The veteran has won three titles in the MLL, one each with the Lizards, Rattlers and Bayhawks. The 37-year-old scored four goals in just three games last season, but turned it on in the playoffs, recording five points during Championship Weekend. Powell ranks top-10 all-time in goals, assists and points, trailing only Ryan Boyle in points with 405 to Boyle’s 422.
Walters is coming off a career year, with 48 points and a league-high 26 assists. After a 21-point performance in his rookie year, Walters has averaged 44 points in his last six seasons. His 283 points in 80 games give him 3.54 points per game for his career. The first overall selection in the 2006 Collegiate Draft out of the University of Maryland, Walters will be reunited with his former coach Dave Cottle. He will search for his third title, as he won back-to-back in 2008 and 2009 with the Rochester Rattlers and Toronto Nationals, respectively. In 2008, Walters was named MVP of Championship Weekend.
The teams will reconvene via teleconference next Wednesday, Dec. 11 as they will look to expand their rosters in the 2014 Supplemental Draft and again on Friday, January 10, at the US Lacrosse Convention for the 2014 MLL Collegiate Draft.
