The 2015 MLL Supplemental Draft was held December 17 and the Charlotte Hounds selected first overall this year. In that powerful position, the Hounds selected Garrett Thul, an attackman who played lacrosse out of Army in college and more recently on Team USA in the 2014 FIL World Games held in Denver.
Thul is a monster on the field and has two seasons of MLL experience with the Hamilton Nationals and the new Florida Launch. In a combined 14 games, the six-foot-three, 231-pound attackman tallied 24 goals (including three 2-pointers) and added two assists.
While in attendance at Army he was the focal point of one of the strongest attack units the military school has seen in years. As a team, Charlotte finished in 8th place with a 4-10 record. However, things should be looking up for the franchise with the selection of Thul in the Supplemental Draft.
In the Collegiate Draft held January 24, The Hounds selected Will Haus, a midfielder out of Duke University. Haus has the potential to improve the Hounds’ transition game, an area in which the team struggled in 2014.
Haus is a midfield power in that he can convert loads of ground balls to offense (44 in the 2014 season) and also have a face-off presence. All those ground ball skills definitely pay off there. He’s a consistent offensive threat in that he had 15 points last season, but not one that’s solely focused on scoring.
The team also selected another local player out of the University of North Carolina in attackman Joey Sankey.
Sankey, listed at only 5’5 and 160 pounds was a fireplug for the Tarheels and looks to bring his great energy to the Hounds. He leads the UNC Tar Heels in every aspect of offense – points, goals and assists – heading into the 2014 season. He consistently scores in almost every game, and has multiple hat tricks every season.
The Hounds have improved their outlook for the 2015 season and the future. Things are looking up for the franchise and the selections of key players like Thul, Haus and Sankey will surely insure that fact.
Overall Grade: B+
