Hounds Trade for Kevin Drew, Bitter to Rochester

Posted By on September 14, 2012

The Charlotte Hounds today announced a trade that will bring the team first and fourth round collegiate picks in this year’s draft (#4 and #28 overall picks) and 2012 second-round draftee, Kevin Drew.  The addition of Kevin will bolster the team’s midfield strength while the additional draft picks will create opportunities in this year’s high-talent draft pool.

The specifics of the trade sent attackman Billy Bitter, defenseman Kevin Randall and the Hounds 11th pick in the 2013 MLL Collegiate Draft to the Rochester Rattlers in exchange for Drew and the 4th and 28thoverall selections in the 2013 MLL Collegiate Draft.

In 14 games with the Hounds this season, Bitter scored 14 goals and added eight assists. He had a shot percentage of 29.2% and his 22 points ranked fourth on the team. Randall, the Hounds’ 2012 seventh-round draft pick, remained on the Collegiate Inactive List and did not play in MLL this season.

“Billy is a great guy, on and off the field,” said Hounds COO & Dir of Player Personnel Wade Leaphart. “He’s great with the fans, great in the locker room, great for MLL in general. He’s an original Hound and will be missed. At the end of the day, we had to remove all personal feelings from the equation. Billy doesn’t necessarily enjoy air travel and this is a good move for everyone.” The Hounds now have back-to-back first-round draft picks in 2013, holding the third and fourth overall selections. “By securing another first and fourth-round pick in the upcoming draft, in addition to strengthening the midfield with Kevin Drew, we are closer to being a championship caliber team next season and beyond,” said Leaphart.

Drew was the Rattlers’ second-round draft pick in 2012 (13th overall) out of Syracuse Univ. He played in 11 MLL games this season recording five goals, two assists and 15 groundballs.

“It is rare when an organization can fill a need and acquire high round draft picks in the same deal,” said Hounds Head Coach Mike Cerino. “While it was a tough move emotionally, we do feel that this move will allow the Hounds to get closer to our goal of being a MLL playoff team.”

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