It was an eventful offseason for the Premier Lacrosse League as it looks to build off a successful first three years of play. Haven’t been paying attention? Here’s what you missed since the PLL last took the field for the championship game in Washington, D.C.
Here’s how we think the PLL season will shake out this summer. Let’s break down each of the eight clubs in projected order of finish.
Stay tuned for more PLL season preview material coming this week on usalaxmagazine.com.
1. CHAOS LC
The Chaos surprised the world — minus the 3.2 percent that picked them — by winning their first title as the fifth seed. The crew is back, anchored by two-time PLL Goalie of the Year and reigning league MVP Blaze Riorden. An offense already featuring Josh Byrne, Dhane Smith, Chris Cloutier, Chase Fraser and Mac O’Keefe adds more creativity in Tehoka Nanticoke.
2. WHIPSNAKES LC
The first three seasons of PLL play chipped away at the Whips’ depth, but they should get a boost in that department this season. The return of Ty Warner shores up issues at SSDM, and former entry draft pick Bryan Cole adds offensive firepower. Most of the constants that have made Whipsnakes a model franchise remain, including star duo Matt Rambo and Zed Williams, three-time top LSM Michael Ehrhardt and former award winners Matt Dunn and Joe Nardella.
3. ARCHERS LC
A popular pick to win the championship when the playoffs began, the Archers’ dreams fell short with a quarterfinal loss to the eventual champion Chaos. They’ve got the reigning PLL Attackman and Defenseman of the Year in Grant Ament and Graeme Hossack, respectively.
4. ATLAS LC
Coach Ben Rubeor reinvented the Atlas in his second season at the helm and it worked to perfection. He hit the college draft out of the park, landing offensive cornerstones in Jeff Teat and Jake Carraway as well as Danny Logan, named the league’s top SSDM as a rookie. Rubeor swooped in to grab Chris Gray with the No. 2 pick in the college draft in May, adding another formidable young weapon to an already potent offense.
5. REDWOODS LC
The Woods have been frustratingly close to a championship, with the Whipsnakes tormenting them time after time. They solved their biggest weakness from the 2020 bubble by adding faceoff specialist TD Ierlan, and Rob Pannell returned to superstar status with a move from Atlas. The defense remains a well-connected unit, and coach Nat St. Laurent has plenty to work with on offense with Pannell, Myles Jones, Sergio Perkovic and Jules Heningburg.
6. WATERDOGS LC
The defense was revolutionized with the additions of close defensemen Liam Byrnes and Ben Randall and goalie Dillon Ward. Reigning PLL Midfielder of the Year Zach Currier makes an impact in every facet of the game, and the offense should get a full season of former second overall pick Michael Sowers after he missed most of his rookie campaign with injuries.
7. CHROME LC
The Chrome took a major step back in 2021 but have a clear path to a rebound. Top entry draft pick Randy Staats and top college draft pick JT Giles-Harris are back after missing last season with injuries. Jackson Morrill was the Chrome’s top scorer as a rookie, and they added Logan Wisnauskas with the No. 1 pick last month.. Sean Sconone is a worthy heir to John Galloway in net.
8. CANNONS LC
The busiest team this offseason, the Cannons have major holes to fill at midfield following the retirements of Paul Rabil and Connor Buczek. The team hopes Jake Froccaro can help after he fell out of the rotation with Chaos. You can never count out a team centered on Lyle Thompson.