Since Sandy Brown took over as Major League Lacrosse commissioner, the discussion has been about a new beginning for the league, an “MLL 2.0” as league officials have dubbed it.

The 2019 season is the dawn of that new era, and there are plenty of changes in store.

Not only does the league have a new literal face, rebranding with a new logo — red and blue with a white silhouette of a player in movement, similar in color to that of the NBA, NFL, and MLB — there are also new metaphorical faces.

With the advent of the Premier Lacrosse League, many perennial MLL All-Stars — such as Paul Rabil, Kyle Harrison, Tom Schreiber and Will Manny — will no longer play in Major League Lacrosse. Those fan favorites left huge holes in their respective former teams’ rosters, but the old sports cliché is “next man up.”

Moreover, three MLL teams have ceased operations. Where there are openings, MLL league and team officials are confident new players will rise to the occasion.

“We have diamonds in the rough that haven’t had that opportunity,” Atlanta Blaze coach Liam Banks said. “Lacrosse has grown so much. There are so many good players. The opportunities are out there for superstars.”

For our season preview, we’ve identified a face of the franchise, MVP frontunner and under-the-radar player from each of the remaining six teams. The MLL season opens May 31, when the New York Lizards host the Denver Outlaws.

Chesapeake Bayhawks

2018 record: 9-5 (lost in semifinals)
Head coach: Dave Cottle (second season)

Face of the Franchise
Colin Heacock, A

The former Maryland attackman had a breakout second season, finishing first on the Bayhawks in goals (23) and tied for the team lead in points (38). As Major League Lacrosse rebrands heading into the 2019 season, Heacock has been front and center of promotional material from the league and Bayhawks coach Dave Cottle believes he deserved the recognition no matter who remained in the league.

“I will say, at the end of last year, Colin was one of the top five players in the league,” he said. “When we lost to Denver, [current Outlaws coach and former general manager] Tony Seaman said, ‘Colin Heacock has become an outstanding player.’ Whether it was attack or midfield, hopefully he can continue his growth. No matter who was in this league, Colin would be a guy the league would promote. He’s that outstanding.”

Draft List

Pat Spencer, A, Loyola
Greyson Torain, M, Navy
Curtis Corley, D, Maryland
Noah Richard, LSM, Marquette
Austin French, A, Denver
Warren Jeffrey, D, Vermont
John Prendergast, M, Duke
Matt Borges, D, Ohio State
Logan Greco, D, Virginia
Garrett, Michaeli, LSM, Rutgers
Tim Troutner, G, High Point

MVP Watch
Lyle Thompson, A

Thompson enjoyed a strong start to his professional career, scoring 38 points as a rookie and following that up with 32 points in his sophomore season. He hasn’t been able to put together the same kind of production since the Bayhawks acquired him in a trade in 2017. It’s not for lack of talent, however. Thompson just hasn’t been available. He scored 20 goals in only six games in 2017, and he had seven goals while playing only three games in 2018. Thompson’s NLL team, the Georgia Swarm, usually goes deep into the playoffs, keeping him unavailable for MLL play for most of the season. With MLL pushing back the start date of the season, Thompson could be a force to be reckoned with in 2019.

“Lyle is a tremendous player,” Cottle said. “I think he’s unselfish. He’s a great rider. He’s the kind of guy in the locker room, he leads by example.”

Under the Radar
Ryan Hursey, M

Cottle believes the Bayhawks have the best group of defensive midfielders, and he believes Hursey not only adds to that depth, but it allows him to be more creative with how and where he deploys the other defensive midfielders on the roster, including using Nick Manis on defense when necessary.

“There were some practices he was covering Josh Byrne and Josh couldn’t run by him,” Cottle said. “At Georgetown, he covered the best offensive player, whether it was an attack or midfield, and they played good teams. Ryan Hursey gives us an ability to cover the big, strong guys better than last year.”