The MLL held their coaches conference call this morning that also included commissioner David Gross. We have some news and notes from each team. We’ll update this post as news breaks.
League News
All 60 games will be available to watch this season on either national TV, local TV affiliates or on ESPN3.com or YouTube for the first time in league history.
Rochester Rattlers
Head coach Tim Soudan says it looks like Mark Millon hasn’t lost a beat as he returns for 2013. Billy Bitter will not be there against Chesapeake this week and it looks like he won’t play in a Rattlers uniform in 2013. To start the season they are without Ned Crotty, Kyle Buchanan, Jordan MacIntosh and Joel White.
Ohio Machine
Ted Garber said all core guys were at camp for the Machine and they had a great pre season. The Ohio offense looks good to start the season with Chazz Woodson, Jim Connolly, Steele Stanwick and Connor Martin all starting the season. Scott Rodgers seems like he will be the guy in net this season as well.
Boston Cannons
Marty Bowes and Malcolm Chase, two NALL players with Boston and Rhode Island, made the roster to open the season with several regulars in NLL lineups for the playoffs this weekend. Last season Ari Sussman was a player in this situation and ended up a stud, reliable attackman at season’s end. Colin Briggs should be a difference maker in New York this week with Paul Rabil and Kevin Buchanan out.
New York Lizards
The big news is no Mark Matthews to start the season, and Max Seibald is still on the shelf. That means in their first game against the Cannons we might not be seeing the Lizards prolific offense that we expect.
Hamilton Nationals
Dave Huntley is back with the Nationals after being fired two years ago. The concern with this team is always the box players, as to start the season they are without Stephen Keogh, Cody Jamieson, Kevin Crowley, Garret Billings, Joe Walters and so many others. Their rookies will be a strength, but they won’t have them soon.
Chesapeake Bayhawks
Josh Sims pulled his hamstring so he’ll be out to start the season. Kip Turner is also missing this game along with backup netminder Bruce Bickford, which means that their starting goalie could be TC DiBartolo.
Charlotte Hounds
It looks like Casey Carroll won’t be playing this season, but Charlotte keeps his rights. Also, Mark Manos might be the guy in net against Denver after Adam Ghitelman had some concussion tests at training camp.
Denver Outlaws
Jim Stagnitta said that right now the Outlaws are in a better situation across the board. Brendan Mundorf is healthy and ready to go, but playing with the NLL’s Philadelphia Wings so he will miss the opening game, and maybe more.
