After an astonishing season and a championship appearance in 2013, the Charlotte Hounds had a disappointing season in 2014. Heading into the 2015 Supplemental Draft, the Hounds were given the number one draft pick overall where they reclaimed Garrett Thul, the big attackman out of Army who had also spent a season in the NLL with the Philadelphia Wings in 2014. Joining Thul on offense are Billy Ward, Alex Zomerfeld, Riley Loewen, Todd Nakasuji and Will Blakely. Shipped off to Boston is Ryan Young, which Charlotte received a second round pick for. Grabbing Thul was great and adding two under the radar midfielders to the mix should help the lowest scoring offense in the MLL last season.
Their main focus from what I could tell was defense, picking up six poles and a goalie. Pierce Bassett and Mike Gabel started the season for the Hounds while Adam Ghitelman was off coaching. Unfortunately, Gabel only saw time in one game. Bassett became the backup to Ghitelman on his return. Picking up Jack Runkel was smart as the big man out of Loyola has shown he can play under a lot of pressure. Him and Bassett will most likely compete for the starting position at the start of the season. Hopefully the Hounds can have some sound structure between the pipes this season.
Charlotte saved five poles in the 23-man protected rosters, including Michael Ehrhadrt, Ryan Flanagan, Henry Lobb, Mason Poli, and Brett Schmidt with d-mids Kevin Drew, Josh Hawkins and Pat Laconi. They selected Michael Italiano, John Fennessy, Sean Meagher, Glenn Maiorano, Casey Cittadino and Nico Capron. Capron was not protected by the Hounds after 2014, but rejoins the team that was sub-par defensively this past year. Citation, unprotected, rejoins the other three d-mids after helping Team Israel to a successful showing at the FIL World Games this past summer. Bryant’s Maiorano is 6’4 and close to 200 lbs. His size and long reach is needed, but he needs to work on breaking down, speed and cannot let his emotions get the best of him. Meahger brings with him the most caused turnover sin a season for Robert Morris (43, 2014) along with some height (6’ 4”) and will help Poli at the LSM position. Italiano is quick and aggressive on the wing and will learn a lot from Drew at the d-mid position. Fennessy is very aggressive which hurts him at times, but his confidence is through the roof and if he can hone in on it, he will become a solid defender.
Here is the Hounds’ 2014 Supplemental Draft Outcome:
1st round, 1st overall: Garrett Thul, A (Army ’13 — 2 years MLL experience, most recently with Launch)
2nd round, 9th overall: Michael Italiano, M (Ohio State ’14)
3rd round, 17th overall: Billy Ward, M (Syracuse ’14)
4th round, 25th overall: Jack Runkel, G (Loyola Md. ’14)
4th round, 30th overall: Alex Zomerfeld, M (Bryant ’14 — Lizards draftee)
5th round, 33rd overall: John Fennessy, D (Towson ’14)
6th round, 41st overall: Sean Meagher, D (Robert Morris ’14)
7th round, 49th overall: Glenn Maiorano, D (Bryant ’13)
8th round, 57th overall: Casey Cittadino, M (Towson ’06 — 9 years MLL experience, most recently with Hounds)
9th round, 65th overall: Riley Loewen, A (Limestone ’13)
10th round, 73rd overall: Todd Nakasuji, A (Limestone ’14)
11th round, 81st overall: Nico Capron, D (Canisius ’12 — 1 year MLL experience with Hounds)
12th round, 89th overall: Bill Blakely, A (Greensboro College ’12 — 1 year MLL experience with Hounds)
