It can be funny sometimes the difference a year makes.
The Nationals went from 2011 runners-up to 2012 second-to-last in the standings.
The Hamilton Nationals dug themselves into a rather large hole to start the 2012 MLL season, losing the first three games of the season, and never recovered.
A big issue was that a large selection of its players still playing in the NLL at the start of the season; the yang to the yin of having so many talented players on the roster, if you will. It also hurt that the team lost 2011 Rookie of the Year Jeremy Boltus in the expansion draft, a young and talented player that wasn’t playing in the NLL and could aid the team in its midfield depth.
But no expansion draft this season means the Nationals can keep a larger portion of its roster.
As the team released its 23-man protected roster a lot of familiar names, the core of the team, were held on to: Joe Walters, Stephen Keogh, David Earl, Cody Jamieson, Jeremy Thompson, Garrett Billings, Kevin Crowley and Brodie Merrill.
Brett Queener was an All-Star in 2012 and had a decent goals against average and the Nationals retained him. Scott Rodgers was protected—rightfully so—despite an injury plagued year with the worst goals against average amongst eligible goalie in the league.
Chad Wiedmaier and Matt Lovejoy, both protected, were solid as rookie defenders and could benefit from playing a full season in 2013.
Matt Dolente was an All-Star and a huge find for the team at the face-off X, finishing third in face-off winning percentage behind elite specialists Greg Gurenlian and Chris Eck. Cameron Lao-Gosney and Roman Lao-Gosney are another pair of promising young players that began to make a name for themselves through their work ethic. All three were good choices to be protected.
Kyle Rubisch didn’t play a game in MLL last season, but he’s too talented an asset to lose should he suit up this season.
Casey Powell, the sparkplug from that 2011 season and one of the best to ever play the game of lacrosse, was not protected. Just like Ohio with Brett Hughes, Powell retired and protecting him would have been a waste.
Two surprises omitted from the list of protected players were Rhys Duch and Brice Queener.
Brice Queener may be known more so as the brother of Brett Queener but he played 14 games for the Nationals and was a solid role player for the team in transition.
Duch played in only seven games last season, some due to injury, but proved he can score. He had seven goals and six assists.
Three familiar names in the lacrosse world were left unprotected by the Nationals. But those names weren’t good enough for the team last season and the Nationals could be trying to make some changes to their roster.
Midfield and defensive depth are needed. Guys need to be there for the team to win. The Nationals have kept their core talent. Now they need to add around it with guys that will actually be in Hamilton playing for them.
