via MLL web site
Author’s Note: This article is for the Launch, I’ll list the other teams rosters and cuts separately
Florida Launch 23-Man Protected Roster:
| OWEN BLYE (A) |
| STEVEN BROOKS (M) |
| CONNOR BUCZEK (M) |
| LIAM BYRNES (M) |
| TUCKER DURKIN (D) |
| DEVIN DWYER (A) |
| PAT FRAZIER (M) |
| ROB HAUS (D) |
| AUSTIN KAUT (G) |
| MATT LANDIS (D) |
| ROMAN LAO-GOSNEY (M) |
| CAMERON LAO-GOSNEY (M) |
| CHRIS MATTES (M/FO) |
| KIERAN MCARDLE (A) |
| JOVAN MILLER (M) |
| STEVE PONTRELLO (A) |
| NIKKO PONTRELLO (M) |
| BRETT QUEENER (G) |
| PT RICCI (M) |
| JEREMY THOMPSON (M) |
| MILES THOMPSON (M) |
| LYLE THOMPSON (M) |
| HENRY WEST (M) |
Florida Launch Players Released:
| REID ACTON (D) |
| DUNCAN CLANCY (M) |
| KEN CLAUSEN (D) |
| PAT FARRELL (D) |
| CONNOR HUNT (D) |
| PATRICK KELLY (M) |
| BOBBY LAWRENCE (D) |
| JOHN ORTOLANI (M/FO) |
| CASEY POWELL (A) |
| ERIK SMITH (M) |
| ALEX SPRING (D) |
| MARIO VENTIQUATTRO (A) |
| GUNNAR WALDT (G) |
An interesting take on this is that the roster changeover has started to occur. Neither Devin Dwyer nor Robbie Haus suited up for the Launch last year and Henry West only dressed twice. Only four attackmen were protected so that might be a focus on the supplemental draft as well as only 3 long poles making that a position of focus. PT Ricci has pretty much been slotted as an LSM and faceoff wing specialist at this point so close defense is the need. Liam Byrnes did play that role in college so even that spot might be a focal point for change. Of course, all three Thompsons are listed as middies and can play up front so it looks like more positional movement up front is possible too. It’s too bad Gunnar Waldt didn’t get a game since he was highly regarded coming out of college. Another item to note is that the defenders released were more of the depth players (and injured too) so the transition on the defense has been cemented with this roster.
Launch fans also should remember that the Collegiate Draft is not going to happen at the US Lacrosse Convention this year and it’s not been decided yet when. A draft that occurs late in the college season will pose both positive and negative possibilities for the Launch since they hold the #1 overall pick. When I look at the possibilities at the top of the draft the 3 names that seem to be ‘the chalk’ right now are Denver’s Connor Cannizzaro, Notre Dame’s Sergio Perkovic and Brown’s Dylan Molloy. I have my own favorite of those three but all three are terrific players and would bring a different skill set among each other to choose from.
The MLL Supplemental Draft is slated for December 14th and I expect the Launch to be pretty active that day and a major trade or two certainly can’t be ruled out.
Either way, starting December 14th this should be a busy offseason for the Launch as they look to remake the team given last year’s disappointment.
