Magazine

Sights and sounds

from the MLL
Collegiate Draft
Major news from
around the League
Ned Crotty
talks MLL Draft and
the Rattlers 2012
Championship goals
Winter 2012 Issue
PLUS
Jeremy Boltus discusses
the challenges of jug-
gling his Army duties
and playing pro lacrosse
Meet the 2012 1st
Round Draft Picks
Catching up with
past No. 1 MLL
Draft Picks
ChrisRotelli|JoeWalters
PatHeim|PaulRabil
SLASH MAGAZINE SLASH MAGAZINE
2 3 wINTER 2012 wINTER 2012
A New Year is upon us and
were pumped to welcome you
to the twelfth season of amazing
Major League Lacrosse action!
We enter the New Year with ex-
citing changes, which will make
the 2012 MLL season the best
ever.
Were thrilled to introduce the
expansion Charlotte Hounds
and Ohio Machine to our fans
this year. With two new teams
and two additional regular sea-
son games for each franchise, the
League will be even more packed
with action and excitement than
in previous years. Our goal is to
provide you with the ultimate fan
experience each week!
As part of this goal, we are
happy to answer our fans over-
whelming demand for more MLL
games on TV. We will broadcast
20 nationally televised live games
this season. This includes six
live games on ESPN2, 14 games
on CBS Sports Network, 40 re-
gionally telecast games and 46
live games on ESPN3. With all
of this great TV coverage it will
be impossible to miss MLL on
TV. In addition to live national
games, CBS Sports Network will
air 18 episodes of our awesome
30-minute magazine show, In-
side the MLL, which takes you,
the fan, behind-the-scenes with
highlights, analysis and exclusive
interviews. Dont forget to check
out majorleaguelacrosse.com for
the best lacrosse highlights and
MLL news!
While its easy to get excited
about the season, its important
to note the major strides MLL
has made during its off-season.
On January 13, MLL hosted its
most successful Collegiate Draft
ever in Philadelphia, PA dur-
ing the US Lacrosse National
Convention. Fans and industry
leaders popped in to watch as
each of our eight teams drafted
the top college seniors from the
best lacrosse programs across
the country. The enthusiasm sur-
rounding the event proves that
lacrosse really is the fastest grow-
ing sport in our great country.
Its amazing to think how explo-
sive Major League Lacrosse has
become. Many MLL veterans
and legends attended our re-
cent Collegiate Draft and noted
the undeniable advancements
the League has made in such a
short time. Years ago, profes-
sional lacrosse was a distant and
unattainable dream. Today, its a
reality thats being rooted in the
countrys droves of youth play-
ers. Today you have MLL Fat-
heads on your bedroom walls.
Today you watch our stars battle
it out on the felds. Today you
have a dream that CAN become
your reality.
Were looking forward to seeing
you this season where we know
our stadiums will be packed with
enthusiastic fans like yourself.

DONT QUIT!
A LETTER FROM OUR FOUNDER
Dear Fans,
Magazine
Winter 2012 Issue
Visit us on the Web at
www.majorleaguelacrosse.com
facebook.com/majorleaguelacrosse
twitter.com/MLL_Lacrosse
SLASH MAGAZINE is the offcial magazine
of Major League Lacrosse. It is published four
times a year by the Marketing and Public Rela-
tions Department of Major League Lacrosse (MLL).
Slash is distributed by each of the Leagues eight
teams on game days during the season. Two ad-
ditional issues are available digitally during the
MLL off-season at www.majorleaguelacrosse.com.
Publication and editorial offces are located at
MLL Headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts.
Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premier pro-
fessional outdoor lacrosse league, was founded
by Jake Steinfeld and is headquartered in Bos-
ton, Massachusetts. Major League Lacrosse com-
menced play in June of 2001 and will enter its
twelfth season in 2012. MLL has continued to
lead the sport of lacrosse into the mainstream of
competitive team sports. The league is made up
of eight teams: The Boston Cannons, Charlotte
Hounds, Chesapeake Bayhawks, Denver Outlaws,
Hamilton Nationals, Long Island Lizards, Ohio Ma-
chine and Rochester Rattlers.
MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER
EDITOR
ASSISTANT EDITOR
STAFF WRITERS
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Aly Morrissey
Cassie Watson
Aly Morrissey
Steve Guglielmo
Jordan Borrosh
Steve Guglielmo
Jake Steinfeld
Founder
Major League Lacrosse
SLASH MAGAZINE
5 wINTER 2012
LeagUe
t
h
e
aroUNd
news
Watch
2012 MLL ALL-STAR
GAMe: FIRST-eVeR
MLL eVeNT TO Be
HeLD IN FLORIDA
MLL TO HOST 2012
CHAMPIONSHIP
WeekeNeD IN BOS-
TON, MASSACHu-
SeTTS
MAx SeIBALD TRAD-
eD TO LONG ISLAND
LIzARDS BeFORe
MLL DRAFT
ROBuST NATIONAL
TV SCHeDuLe
ANNOuNCeD FOR
2012 SeASON
MLL ANALyST eVAN WASHBuRN AND eSPN
ANNOuNCeR quINT keSSeNICH BReAk
DOWN eACH TeAMS SeLeCTIONS IN THe
2012 MLL COLLeGAITe DRAFT THAT TOOk
PLACe ON FRIDAy, JANuARy 13, 2012.
yOu CAN WATCH ONLINe:
WWW.MAJORLeAGueLACROSSe.COM
A SNeAk Peek AT THe BOSTON CANNONS
2011 MLL CHAMPIONSHIP RINGS
WWW.BOSTONCANNONS.COM
look
2012
league
schedule
MAY JUNE
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SLASH MAGAZINE SLASH MAGAZINE
6 7 wINTER 2012 wINTER 2012
With the frst overall pick in the 2012 MLL Collegiate Draft, the Long Island Liz-
ards selected Cornell attackman rob Pannell. The Lizards hope that the 5 ft.
10 in. Pannell will be able to step in and fll the void left by Matt Danowski, who
they traded to the Charlotte Hounds as part of a blockbuster deal that landed
them the frst overall pick of the draft. Pannell, the 2010 and 2011 Ivy League
Player of the year, was one of the consensus top talents in the draft. A three-time
All-American and two-time Jack Turnbull Award winner for the Big Red, Pannell
fnished the 2011 season with 89 points (42 goals and 47 assists). He is the only
lacrosse player to ever be nominated for an eSPy Award in the category of Best
Male College Athlete.
The Ohio Machine selected UVa attackman Steele Stanwick with its inaugural
MLL Collegiate Draft pick. The 2011 Tewaaraton Trophy Winner helped lead the
Cavaliers to their ffth Division I National Championship with an unprecedented
20 points in the 2011 NCAA tournament. Stanwick racked up 70 points on the
season en route to being named a frst-team All-American and ACC Player of
the year. The 6 foot Stanwick will look to become only the second two-time
Tewaaraton Trophy winner during his senior season at Virginia. He is only the
third Tewaaraton winner to receive the award before his fnal year of eligibility,
following Mike Powell and Matt Danowski.
Despite sitting out all of 2011, duke defenseman Mike Manley was the third
overall pick by the Rochester Rattlers. Manley, who tore the ACL, MCL and me-
niscus in his left knee, had started every game for the Blue Devils before being
forced to red-shirt in 2011. In 2010 Manley was named a uSILA third-team All-
American after scooping up 44 ground balls and forcing 17 turnovers. The 6 ft. 1
in. shutdown defender is a native of Penn yan, Ny, and projects as an immediate
starter as a professional.
With the fourth overall selection in the 2012 Collegiate Draft, the Denver Outlaws
selected local attackman Mark Matthews from the University of denver.
Matthews stands an imposing 6 ft. 4 in. tall and weighs in at 210 pounds. He
was named a uSILA second-team All-American and eCAC Offensive Player of the
Year after an impressive 2011 campaign that saw him tally a team-leading 70
points (46 goals and 24 assists) to go along with 42 groundballs and 8 forced
turnovers. Hailing from Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, Matthews combines a unique
blend of speed and footwork for a big man, honed playing box lacrosse growing
up. Denver acquired the fourth pick from the Long Island Lizards in a trade that
sent Midfelder Max Seibald to the Lizards.
By Steve Guglielmo
Meet the first round
C.J. Costabile became the second Blue devil taken in the Draft when he
was selected ffth by the Chesapeake Bayhawks. Costabile was a USILA third-
team All-American and All-ACC team member in 2011. He led the Blue Devils in
groundballs with 95, and ranked second on the team with 23 caused turnovers
while scoring nine points (4 goals, 5 assists.) The 6 ft. 1 in. LSM provided one
of the most exciting moments in Duke lacrosse history in 2010 when he scored
the game-winning goal in overtime of the National Championship game against
Notre Dame. Costabile adds versatility as a face-off man who can compliment a
full-time FOGO.
With their second pick in the frst round of the 2012 Collegiate Draft, the Den-
ver Outlaws selected University of Virginia Midfelder Colin Briggs. Briggs
dazzled in Virginias Cinderella run through the 2011 NCAA Tournament, pick-
ing up Most Outstanding Player honors. He scored 7 goals in the Cavaliers 3
tournament games, including a staggering 5 in the fnal against Maryland. For
the season, Briggs tallied 41 points on 29 goals and 12 assists. He also added
27 groundballs. The redshirt senior was an All-ACC and USILA second-team All-
American in 2011.
Princeton University defenseman Chad Wiedmaier was selected seventh
overall by the Hamilton Nationals. quint kessenich said of Wiedmaier, the second
Ivy-leaguer taken in the draft, Wiedmaier may be the top cover defender in the
nation. He has played against Rob Pannell fve times and held the nations lead-
ing scorer to 4 goals on 44 shots. The 6 ft. 1 in. defenseman was a frst-team
All-Ivy selection for the third consecutive year in 2011. No Princeton player has
ever been frst-team All-Ivy four times. Wiedmaier fnished 2011 with 24 ground
balls and could be an immediate starter as a pro.
Capping off what was an impressive showing for duke University in the frst
round, the Ohio Machine selected robert rotanz with the 8th overall pick. Ro-
tanz started 14 games in the midfeld for the Blue Devils in 2011 and played in
20. The USILA All-America honorable mention selection totaled 28 points (23
goals and 5 assists), good for third on the team. The 6 ft. 3 in. middie upped his
shooting percentage to 36.5 percent in 2011 from 22 percent in 2010. Rotanz
also scooped 21 ground balls as a junior. Rotanz was the frst of 5 midfelders that
the Machine took in its inaugural Collegiate draft.

I thought from a predictability stand-
point, the GMs and coaches stayed
true to their wishes in the frst two
rounds.
ESPN Announcer Quint Kessenich
MLL draftees
SLASH MAGAZINE SLASH MAGAZINE
8 9 wINTER 2012 wINTER 2012
MLL attackman Jeremy
Boltus discusses the hard-
ships of juggling his service
in the Army with playing
professional lacrosse
That busy schedule is
one of the reasons that
Boltus fell so far in the
2011 MLL Collegiate Draft.
Armys number two all-
time leading scorer fell all
the way into the final round
when the Hamilton Nation-
als took him with the 43rd
overall pick. Because of his
military obligation, teams
just werent sure what
kind of commitment Boltus
would be able to give to
the sport. Going into the
draft I literally had no ex-
pectations, says Boltus. I
understand why I was se-
lected 43rd. Because of my
obligation to the Army, I
was surprised to have been
drafted at all.
Boltus is used to being
overlooked and underesti-
mated. Coming out of high
school, Army was the only
Division I team to actively
recruit him. He responded
by authoring one of the
most prolific careers in the
history of Army lacrosse.
Boltus ranks second all-
time in both points (214)
and assists (124) in Black
Knights history. He was
also only the second Black
Knight ever to be named a
finalist for the Tewaaraton
Trophy, after a senior sea-
son that saw him tally 69
points on 24 goals and 45
assists.
Despite being selected in
the final round of the draft,
Boltus continued that dom-
inance in the MLL. He was
named the 2011 Cascade
Rookie of the Year after
leading all rookies in scor-
ing with 30 points. He also
led the Nationals in goals
with 19. However, ques-
tions about his ability to
juggle service with lacrosse
persist.
Boltus was left unpro-
tected in the 2012 MLL
Expansion Draft by the
Hamilton Nationals due to
questions about his sum-
mer availability. I had a
long conversation with
[General Manager] Jody
Gage before the expansion
draft and because of some
of the uncertainty around
my being able to commit
full-time they chose not to
retain me or protect me be-
fore the draft, Boltus says.
I understood that com-
pletely.
The Charlotte Hounds
went on to select Boltus
with the second pick of
the Expansion Draft. Its
humbling knowing that the
Charlotte Hounds see me
as part of the foundation
of the organization, said
Boltus after the draft. Char-
lottes pick is a classic case
of high-risk high-reward. If
Boltus is able to continue
to balance his Army obliga-
tions with the team, then
the Hounds just picked up
one of the leagues most
talented and exciting at-
tackman.
He is an outstanding tal-
ent that has a tremendous
work ethic, said Hounds
Head Coach Mike Cerino.
We were very fortunate
to draft last seasons MLL
Rookie of the Year.
After speaking with
Jeremy, and getting some
clarification on his sum-
mer duties and obligations,
the slight risk is worth the
high reward. Jeremy will be
a core building block of the
Hounds franchise and we
feel his best lacrosse is still
ahead of him.
For his part, Boltus is be-
ing proactive. In April I am
moving to an Army base in
Oklahoma, says Boltus. I
have been in contact with
the base and they are all
for me playing on the week-
ends as long as there is no
conflict. I understand that
the Army and my training
is my priority but on week-
ends with nothing going on,
my base is in favor of me
going out and promoting
Army lacrosse.
Although he will miss
Hamilton, Boltus is excited
to take part in Charlottes
inaugural season. The so-
cial networking and pro-
motion that the team does
has been incredible, he
says. The fan base seems
so thrilled to have a la-
crosse team.
With the addition of
Boltus and trades for MLL
stalwarts like Matt Dan-
owski and Stephen Berger,
the Hounds are putting
themselves in a strong po-
sition for their first year.
When I heard that I was
going to an expansion
team, I wasnt sure what to
expect, says Boltus. But
seeing the moves that they
have made has shown that
theyre committed to win-
ning an MLL championship
right away. As a player, what
more could you ask for?
The Charlotte Hounds
will probably not enter the
2012 season as favorites to
win the Steinfeld Trophy.
But that underdog role fits
Jeremy Boltus just fine. Hes
used to it by now.
By Steve Guglielmo
Left: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen;
Right: Second Lt. Jeremy Boltus. Photo by Tommy Gilligan, West
Point Public Affairs.
Jeremy Boltus leads a very busy life. Last
season, playing with the Hamilton Nationals, he
worked as a Second Lt. to West Points first duty
station during the week. On weekends, Boltus
would drive six hours from West Point, NY, to Buf-
falo before taking a shuttle into Canada to play in
Hamilton home games and practices. When the
Nationals played on the road, Boltus would fly to
the games. I think of it like a business trip, Boltus
says. You get to hang out with your friends on
the team and play a sport that you love in front of
thousands of fans. That makes all of the traveling
worthwhile. Sure, you get a little tired but then you
realize that youre achieving a life-long dream.
A Balancing Act
SLASH MAGAZINE SLASH MAGAZINE
10 11 wINTER 2012 wINTER 2012
sights
sounds
a
N
d
I need to know the players but I
also need to know the teams and
their goals. Thats something view-
ers and fans cant get through just
watching live on TV.
MLL Announcer Evan Washburn on preparing
for a live event
2
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a
Ohio Machine Attackman Connor Martin
(aka Con Bro Chill) giving the thumbs-up
2012 MLL Champion Boston Cannons : Mike
Fox, Steve Duffy, Jim Murphy, Kevin Barney
(left to right)
MLL Commissioner
David Gross
Charlotte Hounds Midfelder
Justin Smith
Inside Lacrosse Columnist
Kyle Devitte
Hamilton Nationals Attackman Casey Powell with
MLL Announcer Evan Washburn
Blockbuster Trade on MLL Draft Day
The Denver OuTlaws TraDeD Max seibalD TO The lOng islanD lizarDs in exchange
fOr DrafT picks
Just minutes prior to
the start of the 2012 Ma-
jor League Lacrosse Colle-
giate Draft, midfielder Max
Seibald was traded from
the Denver Outlaws to the
Long Island Lizards.
In exchange for Seibald,
the Outlaws received the
fourth overall selection in
this years Collegiate Draft,
a fourth round pick in the
2013 MLL Collegiate Draft
and midfielder Christian
Pastirik.
A three-year MLL veter-
an, Seibald scored 41 goals,
including seven two-point
markers, with 11 assists in
28 games for the Outlaws.
He played in 10 games last
season, scoring nine goals,
including a pair of two-
point tallies, with an assist.
In 2010, Seibald en-
joyed his best season with
the Outlaws by scoring 20
goals (2 two-point goals)
with eight assists. With 30
points, the former Cornell
University standout ranked
third on the team.
Pastirik, who played col-
legiately at Towson Univer-
sity, appeared in one game
for the Lizards last year and
tallied an assist in a victory
over Rochester on May 21.
The Outlaws used the
fourth overall selection to
draft Mark Matthews from
the University of Denver.
MLL All-Star Game Set for Palm Beach County, FL
This will Mark The firsT-ever league evenT in The sTaTe Of flOriDa
MLL will host the 2012
All-Star Game in Palm
Beach County, FL. at Florida
Atlantic University (FAU)
on Saturday, June 30 at 7:30
PM, ET. This will mark the
first event in League his-
tory that will take place in
the state.
Returning to the All-
Star Game this year is the
Young Guns vs. Old School
format, in which MLL vet-
erans will compete against
players who entered the
league in 2009 or later.
New to the All-Star Game
will be the MLL All-Star Ex-
perience with Casey Powell
and Tony Lowe, which will
provide fans with the op-
portunity to compete in a
tournament prior to the
game. MLL Legend Casey
Powell is a current at-
tackman for the Hamilton
Nationals. He is the MLL
all-time points leader with
392 points. He was named
the MLL Offensive Player
of the Year in 2005 and is
one of ten players in MLL
history to earn at least ten
Bud Light MLL Player of the
Game honors. Tony Lowe
is the founder of Snip-
ers Lacrosse, the premier
Florida lacrosse program.
The Long Island native is a
former Lehigh University la-
crosse standout. This years
MLL All-Star Game is a Palm
Beach County Tourist Devel-
opment Council funded proj-
ect, supported by the Palm
Beach County Sports Com-
mission.
Tickets for the 2012 MLL
All-Star Game will be on sale
on February 20 at www.
Ticketmaster.com, by calling
1-800-745-3000, or by visit-
ing any Ticketmaster Outlet.
SLASH MAGAZINE SLASH MAGAZINE
12 13 wINTER 2012 wINTER 2012
12
43
THe NuM-
BeR OF
F I R S T
OV e R A L L
PICkS TO
WIN AN MLL
CHAMPIONSHIP: PAT
HeIM (CANNONS),
MIkey POWeLL (BAy-
HAWkS), PAuL RABIL
(CANNONS), AND
JOe WALTeRS (RAT-
TLeRS).
4
39
503
THe TOTAL NuMBeR
OF MLL COLLeGIATe
DRAFTS SINCe THe
INAuGuRAL MLL
DRAFT IN 2001. LO-
CATIONS OF THe
PReVIOuS DRAFTS
INCLuDe BALTI-
MORe, MD., LOWeLL,
MA., HAVeRFORD,
PA, FAIRFIeLD, CT,
STONy BROOk, N.y.,
HOBOkeN, NJ, NeW
HAVeN, CT, AND
PHILADeLPHIA, PA. THe ALL-TIMe NuM-
BeR OF PLAyeRS
DRAFTeD FROM THe
uNIVeRSITy OF VIR-
GINIA. THIS NuM-
BeR INCLuDeS THe
2012 MLL DRAFTeeS
(STeeLe STANWICk,
COLIN BRIGGS,
CHRIS BOCkLeT,
MATT LOVeJOy AND
CHRIS CLeMeNTS).
THe TOTAL NuM-
BeR OF COLLeGIATe
PLAyeRS SeLeCTeD
By A MAJOR LeAGue
LACROSSe TeAM
DuRING AN MLL
COLLeGIATe DRAFT
SINCe THe LeAGueS
INCePTION. TOP
SCHOOLS MLL PLAy-
eRS CAMe FROM IN-
CLuDe SyRACuSe,
MARyLAND, JOHNS
HOPkINS AND Duke.
TOTAL NuMBeR OF
MLL PLAyeRS WHO
HAVe BeeN DRAFT-
eD FROM SyRACuSe
uNIVeRSITy SINCe
THe FIRST eVeR MLL
COLLeGIATe DRAFT
IN 2001. THIS ReP-
ReSeNTS THe LARG-
eST NuMBeR OF
ATHLeTeS FROM
ANy SCHOOL IN THe
HISTORy OF THe
LeAGue. NOTABLe
PLAyeRS ARe MIkey
AND CASey POWeLL,
MIke LeVeILLe, DAN
HARDy, JOHN GAL-
LOWAy AND JOVAN
MILLeR.
JeReMy BOLTuS WAS THe
43RD OveRALL SeLeC-
TION IN THe 2011 MLL
COLLeGIATe DRAFT By
THe HAMILTON NATION-
ALS FROM ARMy. THOuGH
He WAS DRAFTeD IN
THe FINAL ROuND, He
PROVeD TO Be WORTH
HIS WeIGHT IN GOLD
AFTeR AN OuTSTAND-
ING ROOkIe CAMPAIGN.
BOLTuS eARNeD CAS-
CADe ROOkIe OF THe
yeAR HONORS AFTeR
SCORINg 30 POINTS (19
GOALS, 11 ASSISTS).
He APPeAReD IN ALL 12
ReGuLAR SeASON GAMeS
AND IN TWO PLAyOFF
GAMeS FOR THe NATION-
43
BY THE NUMBERS
A BReAkDOWN
OF ALL THINGS
ReLATeD TO THe
MLL DRAFT
ALS. BOLTuS SCOReD
TWO GOALS AND ADD-
eD ONe ASSIST DuRING
THe 2011 MLL CHAMPI-
ONSHIP WeekeND BuT
FeLL SHORT TO THe
BOSTON CANNONS IN
THe CHAMPIONSHIP
GAMe. BOLTuS WAS Se-
LeCTeD By THe CHAR-
LOTTe HOuNDS IN THe
2012 MLL exPANSION
DRAFT.
SLASH MAGAZINE SLASH MAGAZINE
14 15 wINTER 2012 wINTER 2012
number one
MLL caught up with soMe of the Most ceLebrated No. 1
MLL coLLegiate draft picks iN the Leagues history aNd
got their thoughts oN goiNg No.1, iN additioN to the
growth of the League.
Lacrosse Legend paved the way
Theres no doubt about
it. Chris Rotelli is a Major
League Lacrosse pioneer.
Unlike members of recent
MLL Collegiate Draft class-
es, Rotelli joined the league
during a time when the pos-
sibility of playing profes-
sional lacrosse was a brand
new concept. He was part
of the electric movement
that has paved the way for
professional lacrosse stars
today.
Just three days after win-
ning the 03 National Cham-
pionship with the Uni-
versity of Virginia, Rotelli
competed in the Warrior
MLL Challenge, a combine
that was held in conjunc-
tion with the MLL Colle-
giate Draft.
It was really exciting,
the midfielder remembers.
It was like a roller coaster.
Not many of my classmates
or even I had thought much
about playing pro lacrosse,
but here we were doing this
pro combine and it was un-
like anything we had ever
seen.
Rotelli was the No. 1 over-
all selection by the Bridge-
port Barrage. I was flat-
tered. It was a great honor
because there were a lot
of talented players in the
draft.
He was one of the guinea
pigs to test the additions of
a shot clock and a 2-point
arc, elements distinctive of
MLL that increases speed
and intensity. Rotelli real-
ized first-hand how diffi-
cult the transition could be.
All the players were a lit-
tle bigger, a little faster, they
shot the ball a little harder,
the goalies were better, and
it was more physical. I think
the refs let us get away with
more, so a guy coming out
of college in his first couple
of games was usually in a
bit of shock, he laughs.
Rotelli played for seven
seasons and scored 109
By Aly Morrissey
Chris Rotelli (above) now works as a west coast representative for
Cascade Helmets
MLL LeGeND AND
2003 NO. 1 OVeRALL
PICk CHRIS ROTeLLI
(uVa) PLAyING FOR
SAN FANCISCO
DRAGONS
Former mLL standout Chris roteLLi heLped pave the way For todays stars and
Continues to grow the sport oF LaCrosse on the west Coast
career goals and had 47 as-
sists. He advanced to the
playoffs three times, twice
with the Boston Cannons
and once with the San Fran-
cisco Dragons.
As for a Rotelli-return to
MLL? He admits that he has
interest, but not as a player.
I think a coaching role
might be more in my wheel-
house these days. Maybe if
a team comes back to San
Francisco.
Today, Rotelli works with
Cascade Helmets to ad-
vance the sport of lacrosse
on the west coast. His goal
is to protect lacrosse play-
ers with helmets like the
CPXR and the PRO7, and
to generate more players
in general, resulting in the
growth of the sport.
Cascade Helmets as Seen at the 2012 US Lacrosse National Convention
SLASH MAGAZINE SLASH MAGAZINE
16 17 wINTER 2012 wINTER 2012
A longtime Rochester Rat-
tlers fan, Joe Walters ful-
filled his dream of starring
on the team. He was the
first overall selection in the
2006 MLL draft by the Rat-
tlers and remembers very
well the whirlwind of activ-
ity surrounding the draft.
The week of the draft
was so crazy, recalls Wal-
ters. I had just played in
the Final Four and had the
Tewaaraton and All-Ameri-
can banquet all in the same
week as the draft.
Walters came out of col-
lege as one of the most
decorated players in the
country. A four-time All-
American, Walters is the
all-time leading goal and
point scorer in the history
of University of Maryland
lacrosse. He won the 2003
ACC Rookie of the Year,
2004 ACC Player of the Year
and 2006 Jack Turnbull
award and was a finalist for
the 2006 Tewaaraton Tro-
phy.
I remember being so
stressed out about all of the
travel, says Walters. But at
the same time, I was excit-
ed. I just wanted to get out
there and start my career
as a professional lacrosse
player.
A Rochester, NY-native,
Walters had been a fan
of the Rattlers since the
leagues inception in 2001.
Going into the draft, I
was anxious, he says. I
had spoken to Rochester
the day before the draft and
they had mentioned that
they were interested in me,
but I didnt know anything
for sure. When I heard my
name called, it was a sur-
real feeling because I re-
member going to the games
growing up and hoping that
someday it would be me out
there. Seeing my name on
the back of that jersey and
knowing that I was going
to get that chance to play in
front of my hometown fans
was humbling.
In addition to playing for
his hometown team, Wal-
ters also got the chance to
play with one of his favorite
players. I was so excited
to play with John Grant Jr.
When I walked into the
locker room the first time,
he didnt really say much,
Walters laughs. Hes kind
of like that. A little standoff-
ish. But over the next few
games we became good
friends and started to really
play well together and de-
velop great chemistry.
The transition from col-
lege to the MLL is incred-
ibly difficult. Not only is the
game much faster and the
competition much better,
but players who were used
to being the best player
on their college team have
to adapt to being just one
piece of the puzzle. I was
very nervous my first year
in the league. Nervous
about fitting in and hold-
ing my own. I didnt want to
mess up, says Walters, who
credits Grant Jr. with help-
ing to ease that transition.
As Walters became com-
fortable, he began to thrive.
In nine games as a rookie
he totaled 21 points. When
you play nervous, it shows
in your game. You arent as
sharp.
Now, six years later, Wal-
ters finds himself playing
the role of veteran men-
tor. This past year we had
so many rookies and I re-
ally took more of a veteran
leadership role, he says.
Myself, Jordan Hall,
Brodie Merrill and Geoff
Snider all wanted to help
our young guys get the
chance to step up and make
big plays. You want to give
younger players the chance
to prove themselves. You
dont want them to shy
away from making that big
play.
In his career, Walters has
scored 189 points (114
goals including six two-
point goals and 69 assists.)
He helped the Rattlers
win the 2009 Steinfeld Tro-
phy and led the Nationals
to the 2011 championship
game. He is excited to get
the chance to play with
some of this years draft-
ees as lacrosse continues
to grow and expand. The
way the game continues to
evolve is great, he says.
With the TV deals that
the league has now and
being able to play in front
of thousands of fans and
travel all over the country
it is great for the sport and
great for the league.
By Steve Guglielmo
Joe Walters and MLL Commissioner David Gross at the 2006 MLL
Collegiate Draft in Fairfeld, Ct.
from sidelines to headlines
mLL attaCkman Joe waLters remembers being a rattLers Fan beFore being draFted
no. 1 by his hometown team
SLASH MAGAZINE
18 wINTER 2012
By Aly Morrissey
Pat Heim and MLL Commissioner David Gross at the 2007 MLL
Collegiate Draft in Stony Brook, N.Y.
Hell tell you that it was
luck. But those who have
followed the career of Bos-
ton Cannons Midfielder Pat
Heim know he was chosen
as the No. 1 overall selec-
tion by the Chicago Ma-
chine for a reason.
In 2007, the name Pat
Heim wasnt even a whis-
per amidst speculations as
to which college seniors
would be drafted by a Ma-
jor League Lacrosse team.
The midfielder was finish-
ing a tumultuous season
with the Penn State Nittany
Lions, who ended their sea-
son with a 5-8 record.
We didnt really have
a good year at Penn State,
Heim admits. We werent
really ranked towards the
end of the year and we were
never on TV. This naturally
made it difficult for Heim to
secure an invitation to the
2007 MLL Collegiate Draft.
But despite the Nittany Li-
ons lackluster year, Heims
personal achievements
were impressive.
A first team All-ECAC
selection, Heim scored 14
goals with four assists for
the Nittany Lions in his se-
nior year and was named as
the teams George Pittenger
Award winner, which goes
to the teams most out-
standing senior. He ended
his Penn State career with
58 goals and 27 assists.
But Heim wasnt ready to
hang up his cleats. He was
determined to play profes-
sionally for Major League
Lacrosse.
Four hundred miles
southwest of Penn State,
Duke University Attack-
man Matt Danowski was
granted an extra year of
collegiate eligibility, which
shook things up for the en-
suing draft. The attackman
had been the projected No.
1 draft pick which meant
the spot was now up for
grabs. Heim saw an oppor-
tunity. I made some phone
calls myself and my coach
made some calls on my be-
half. MLL invited me two
days before the combine. I
packed my bags, called my
dad and went up to Stony
Brook for the draft.
Heim entered upstate
N.Y. with a level-headed
mindset and agreed to play
with the same intensity
that made him such a threat
in college. He would leave
the rest up to fate, or luck,
as he calls it. To everyones
surprise, the midfielder
who had flown under the
radar until days before the
draft tested number one in
all of the physical tests im-
plemented by MLL. His per-
formance on the field was
equally as impressive, as
he scored three goals in the
combine, proving he was an
offensive weapon not to be
overlooked. He had every-
ones attention now.
In a bar back home, his
friends watched in awe as
their teammate, who had
barely received a last-min-
ute invitation, was named
as the first overall selection
in the 2007 MLL Collegiate
Draft.
Everyone asks me the
same thing, which is were
you surprised? Heim
laughs. I tell them, Yes. I
had no idea. It was the luck
of the draw because [MLL]
invited me last-minute and
I ended up getting drafted
No. 1. Its kind of a fun sto-
ry.
Heim took the League by
storm. He scored four goals
for the Machine in his first
game, earning him MLL
Rookie of the Week honors.
He was also one of the few
rookies named as an MLL
All-Star in 2007. In 2011
he made the MLL All-Star
roster again, scoring two
unassisted goals for Team
Warrior, who won by a last
second, game-winning goal.
Last season Heim also
achieved the ultimate feat
by leading the Boston Can-
nons to their first-ever MLL
Championship in Annapo-
lis, MD.
Its obvious that Heims
talent is creating opportu-
nities for himself and for
his team, which has made
him such a successful ath-
lete in Major League La-
crosse. And to think, he al-
most didnt make the draft.
heim shines in the eleventh hour
the mLL Champion didnt reCeive an invitation to the 2007 mLL Combine
untiL two days prior to going no. 1
SLASH MAGAZINE SLASH MAGAZINE
20 21 wINTER 2012 wINTER 2012
It was evident that Roch-
ester Rattlers attackman
Ned Crotty was in a differ-
ent class from the start.
While the 2010 MLL draft
class was competing in a
game against Team USA in
a last-ditch effort to dis-
play their skills, Ned wasnt
wearing a rookie jersey. He
was sporting the colors of
the red, white and blue.
To be able to play for
Team USA against my
friends and other draftees
was a fun yet humbling ex-
perience, Crotty says. It
was unique because the col-
lege players were looking
to get drafted while I was
looking to get recognized
by an MLL team and define
my role on Team USA.
Crotty paints a busy
picture as his collegiate
lacrosse career came to a
head in the spring of 2010.
He led Duke University to
its first National Champi-
onship, was the recipient
of the Tewaaraton Trophy,
and was the No. 1 overall
selection by the Chicago
Machine in the MLL Colle-
giate Draft.
To go No. 1 overall in
a professional sport was an
amazing experience, he re-
calls. To be in a room with
such great players and to
hear MLL Commissioner
Dave Gross call my name
was a proud moment and
a cool transition from col-
lege.
Crotty was ready to
start a new chapter in his
lacrosse career with an
MLL team stacked with
veterans. They were in-
credibly inviting, Crotty re-
members. We had a game
the Saturday following the
draft and they came up to
me and introduced them-
selves and immediately ran
me through the offensive
run. It made the transition
a smooth one.
The transition from the
collegiate level to MLL has
proved to be challenging
for many, but thanks to his
career at Duke, Crotty says
the change was less taxing
because of their up-tempo
style of play that prepared
him for additions like the
shot clock and the 2-point
arc.
Despite the acceptance
from longtime veterans, the
pressure was tangible for
Crotty. It was intimidating
stepping in with the players
I had grown up watching.
Only so many guys made
it into the League with six
teams at that time and ev-
erybody could do every-
thing.
But the more Crotty
played, the more chemis-
try was formed with his
veteran teammates like
the Leveille brothers, Chris
Rotelli and Bill McGlone.
They assured him he had
been drafted for a rea-
son, encouraged him to be
comfortable, to dodge fre-
quently, and to understand
he was not stuck within a
system. Crotty scored 11
By Aly Morrissey
Ned Crotty and MLL Commissioner Gross at the 2010 MLL Col-
legiate Draft
drafted for the red, white & blue
ned Crotty pLayed For team usa against his FeLLow draFtees in the 2010 mLL Combine
NeD CROTTy PLAyS FOR TeAM
uSA DuRING THe 2010 MLL
WARRIOR CHALLeNGe
NeD CROTTy COMPeTeS
IN THe FReeSTyLe
COMPeTITION, 2011
MLL ALL-STAR GAMe IN
BOSTON
To go No. 1 overall in
a professional sport
was an amazing ex-
perience. To be in a
room with such great
players and to hear
MLL Commissioner
Dave Gross call my
name was a proud
moment.

Rochester Rattlers attackman,

Ned Crotty
goals and posted 13 assists
in just seven games during
his rookie campaign.
In his sophomore efforts,
Crotty had a breakthrough
performance, leading the
League in points and ce-
menting his place in MLL as
a serious offensive threat.
My role became greater
with the loss of the Leveille
Brothers and I was sud-
denly a veteran. More was
asked of me, my comfort
level rose and I was looked
at as a go-to guy on attack,
Crotty said of his 2011 sea-
son with the Rochester Rat-
tlers who went 2-10. They
finished last in the League
and endured a mid-season
coaching change.
I know people knocked
Rochester last year, but if
you looked at the individu-
al scoreboards, we werent
losing by much. If you
looked at our roster, most
of our team was made up of
guys in their first or second
years. We had a lot of young
talent.
In the past, Rochester
was considered a premier
team and won several MLL
Championships and Crotty
is determined to lead his
team to another victory.
We are more than capable
of accomplishing it this
year. We werent happy
with the way we ended last
season. Now that we have
the maturity and another
year of experience, we are
going to make a big push to
the MLL Championships.
SLASH MAGAZINE
23 wINTER 2012
SeeN aNd heard
polls
WHO MADe IT OuT
ON TOP AFTeR THe
MLL exPANSION
DRAFT?
WHO MADe IT OuT
ON TOP AFTeR THe
MLL COLLeGIATe
DRAFT?
WHO WILL Be THe BeST ALL-
AROuND PLAyeR THIS SeASON?
With 40% of the votes, you said
Billy Bitter! Bitter was traded
from the Outlaws to the new
Charlotte Hounds. In his rookie
campaign, Bitter posted 16
points (12 goals, 4 assists).
In a close second, you said Ned Crot-
ty, who was the 2010 MLL Rookie
of the year and led the league in
points last year. This season he
will look to lead the Rochester
Rattlers to the Championships
after coming in last place last
season.
MLL: Tell us a little bit about Shoot 2 Score Lacrosse and what you
covered on the demo field at the 2012 US Lacrosse National Conven-
tion.
Buggs Combs: Shoot 2 Score is a shooting school that Devon Britts and I
started about five years ago. Essentially, we go to different places across
the country and conduct shooting drills. We review their shooting tech-
niques and they leave with a DVD of the various drills weve covered. At
the Convention, we presented ways to become a better shooter by con-
ducting drills using high school athletes to execute them, giving coaches
a previewof our camps. We provided tips and tricks for coaches to teach
their players, such as figuring out where the goalie is before shooting, the
best percentage shot and howto create it.
MLL: Youre coming off a ruptured Achilles Tendon. Howhas the re-
covery process been going?
BC: Its been going well. In the beginning it was very slow. Its a 10-month
injury but in the past two months Ive been making significant progress.
Imlucky I have a great doctor and physical therapists.
MLL: You were recently picked up by the expansion Ohio Machine.
What are your thoughts on returning to the league after a hiatus?
BC: I think that the one thing the injury gave me was a summer off, so I
feel really refreshed with my body in the best shape Ive been in since I
played in the league. Everything the Machine has done so far has been
first class from drafting to welcoming guys to the team. We have a very
good core of veterans like Greg Bice and Anthony Kelly and a lot of youth
as well. Imvery excited.
Buggs Combs at the 2012 US Lacrosse National Convention
we always lOve hearing frOM Our fans. check OuT
MajOrleaguelacrOsse.cOM fOr The laTesT pOlls abOuT
The league, TeaMs anD players.
BUGGs COMBs
we caughT up wiTh OhiO Machine aTTackMan buggs cOMbs aT
The us lacrOsse naTiOnal cOnvenTiOn in philaDelphia, pa.
SLASH MAGAZINE
25 wINTER 2012
Every year there is at least one player that each
team is vying for the opportunity to draft. Though it was
only four years ago that Paul Rabil took Major League
Lacrosse by storm with his athleticism and gravitational
pull, he has veteran advice that could mold the MLL draft-
ees of tomorrow.
The 2008 draft was right after the National
Championship game and I played for Johns Hopkins
against my fellow draftees, remembers Rabil of the year
he was drafted to the Boston Cannons. I was very aware
of how talented everyone was.
The transition from the collegiate level to the
fast-paced professional level generally creates a tangible
pressure, even for athletes who starred on their college
teams. But not for Paul Rabil. There wasnt that much
pressure. I felt like I had an opportunity in the MLL to try
different things that I may not have done in the college
game. The college game is so much more regimented and
strictbeing able to showcase some of my athleticism
and long distance shooting in the MLL made me more ex-
cited than nervous.

Despite the quick transition from college to Ma-
jor League Lacrosse, Rabil was excited to get started. Not
even playing alongside MLL Legend Mikey Powell could
intimidate him. I had always looked up to Mike when I
was younger, he said. Anytime you get a chance to play
with someone that youve looked up to and tried to em-
ulate is a great experience. Being able to set him up for
goals was a lot of fun.
In his rookie campaign, Rabil scored an impres-
sive 24 goals in just nine games. He went on to win MLL
Offensive Player of the Year and Bud Light MLL MVP of
the Year awards in both 2009 and 2011. He tied for first
in points last season and has continued to be an MLL icon
and a fan-favorite.
As the first overall selection in the 2008 MLL Col-
legiate Draft, Rabil has sage advice for first rounders like
Rob Pannell and Steele Stanwick. Dont take it for granted
in any way shape or form. Its an opportunity that you only
get once in your lifetime and whether its in lacrosse or
any other sport, it can really shape the rest of your life in
terms of how you position yourself with a team, how hard
you work and how much longevity youll create out of your
career. I was very humbled by the experience and continue
to work each day to try to make sure the Cannons are re-
imbursed for their risk.
By Jordan Borrosh
Spotlight
paul rabil:advice for 2012 draft class
The college game is so
much more regimented
and strictbeing able
to showcase some of
my athleticism and long
distance shooting in the
MLL made me more ex-
cited than nervous.

Boston Cannons Midfelder, Paul Rabil

SLASH MAGAZINE
26 wINTER 2012