Over the next nine days, we will be looking at the top nine stories of the year in lacrosse, based off of our most read and covered stories. Today is #9 with the Florida Launch joining Major League Lacrosse.
For the first time in their twelve season history, Major League Lacrosse will have a team in the Sunshine State. The Florida Launch are moving from Hamilton, Ontario to southern Florida where they will play the 2014 MLL season.
So far Florida has drastically changed their roster since they were the Hamilton Nationals by shipping away Brodie Merrill to Boston but several Canadian players remain on their roster. The Launch also traded for Casey Powell from the Chesapeake Bayhawks, whose home is in Florida.
MLL has been in Florida in the past when they hosted the all star game and last season two regular season games in St. Petersberg and Boca Raton. “South Florida has always been a target market for us,” said MLL Commissioner David Gross. “After the 2012 All-Star Game and last year’s exhibition we felt the market was ready for a team and we are confident that bringing the professional game there will help with the continuous growth of the sport.”
It was also announced that former Denver Outlaws assistant coach Stan Ross would head coach the Launch. “It is an honor to be named the first head coach in Florida Launch history,” said Ross. “I am thankful to the organization and the MLL for allowing me this opportunity to coach a professional team in my home state. Lacrosse is growing rapidly in Florida, and the addition of a local professional team will be a huge catalyst for expansion of our sport in the area. I feel the Florida Launch will be welcomed with open arms by the Florida lacrosse community.”
In the recent MLL supplemental draft, the Launch made several key pickups starting with Florida native Chazz Woodson who was a member of the Ohio Machine last season. They also added Chris Mattes, Kyle Wimer, Steve Panarelli, Nick O’Hara, Zach Palmer and Florida native Scott Kahoe who is from Palm Beach, where it is speculated the Launch will play.
The last lacrosse team to play professionally in Florida was the Orlando Titans of the National Lacrosse League who lasted once season in 2010 before folding. Currently there is one NCAA division one men’s team in Florida, and that is the Jacksonville Dolphins.
The Launch inherit a talented Nationals roster that includes Cody Jamieson, Stephen Keogh and Kevin Crowley, so the team should be competitive. They also have goaltenders Brett Queener and Scott Rodgers. The Launch gain a natural rival in the Charlotte Hounds as well, and the hope is to see professional lacrosse succeed in Florida.
