The Major League Lacrosse trade deadline (July 2) started and progressed with very little news coming from any teams. Fortunately for fans, that changed during the last hour or so before the deadline. The Charlotte Hounds were definitely the most active team; making multiple deals with multiple teams.
The Hounds biggest move of the day was the acquisition of former Loyola Greyhound midfielder Josh Hawkins. Charlotte traded midfielder Josh Amidon and a 2014 first-round collegiate draft pick to the Hamilton Nationals for Hawkins and a 2014 and 2015 supplemental draft pick. The trade pairs Hawkins back up with former teammates Eric Lusby and Mike Sawyer (the three were all very important pieces in Loyola’s 2012 championship team).
Upon hearing about his trade, Hawkins had this to say; “I’m extremely excited and thankful for the opportunity to join the Charlotte Hounds, a young organization that has made a big impact in MLL already. I’m lucky to be able to play alongside two Loyola teammates – Eric Lusby and Mike Sawyer – and look forward to reconnecting with them on the field again. I feel like the Hounds will be a great fit for my style of play and that we can build a long-term relationship.”
Another one of Charlotte’s moves involved sending midfielder Gerry Reilly to the Ohio Machine in exchange for a 2014 fifth-round supplemental draft pick. Reilly appeared in two games for the Hounds this year and registered just two groundballs. Sources say that the move isn’t so much lacrosse related, but more because Reilly is from the Cincinnati, Ohio area.
The last of Charlotte’s deadline moves was also for the addition of draft picks – adding a 2015 fourth-round pick from New York in exchange for former Cornell midfielder Max Van Bourgondien as well defenseman Dan DiMaria. Neither player had gotten any field time with the Hounds and general manager Wade Leaphart hopes their move to the Lizards will help them in that area. ” Breaking into the starting 19 is tough in this league. By sending them to New York, where they both reside, they’ll have a better opportunity to get on the field and earn a spot to play with the best in the world. Hopefully that one doesn’t come back to bite us.”
The day before the trade deadline the Hounds made a deal with the Boston Cannons regarding a couple players and draft picks. Charlotte sent defenseman Ricky Pages and rookie goalie Kyle Feeney to the Cannons in exchange for 2014 second-round supplemental draft pick.
The Hounds will showcase their new midfielder, Hawkins, tomorrow night (7/6) on ESPN2 at 8pm when they travel to Boston to take on the Cannons in a very important game. The Hounds are tied with the Cannons and Rattlers for the fourth and final playoff spot, and a win would push them into sole possession of that spot.
