Ho. Ly. Smokes. It's going to be a BANGER of a year this year, judging by the newly posted roster. Nick Myers returns and the players get sorted, then made public. Let's go over the highlights.
Returners
Right away, goalie goes from an unknown to a strength. Skylar Wahlund, last seen impersonating a brick wall, is back as a 5th year. The importance of that can not be overstated.
Offensively, BOTH Colby Smith and Scott White are back. Colby Smith was a monster shooting from the right-handed attack slot. His return is monumental. Scott White morphed into a serviceable middie, but he will mostly be a depth piece this year.
Also back is Jason Knox, who will almost certainly maintain his spot at left attack.
Drew Blanchard, who spelled Inacio last year, also is somehow back? I thought he had just a year left, but I could be addled.
Dante Bowen, expected to return, has now moved to pole from SSDM. I thought he was decent, but not good at short. New home now.
Mitchell Pehlke, of high lacrosse YouTube fame, is now an attackman again. I don't know why. There's no way he beats out the players currently there at right attack. He is probably the 4th-best option right now. Behind a true freshman.
Newcomers
Apparently, the graphics department had an oopsie and forgot to include Cameron Pack in the new number post. Pack IS a Buckeye, and will wear #30.
Of the transfers, the most notable piece of information is that Kyle Lewis will play middie this year, while Richie LaCalandra will be at attack still. That means LaCalandra will be competing with Knox for a job. If Knox doesn't win out, I could see him being a first-line middie as well.
Both Marcus Hudgins AND Justin Sherrer are listed as defensemen, though I don't think for a second that Sherrer will be anywhere but LSM. That group needs so much help.
The freshmen are all enrolled, with Gavin Begonia going to midfield, I presume to operate like Jackson Reid did if possible.
Another minor shock is Oran Gelinas being listed as a defenseman, instead of a goalie. Buckeyes are currently three deep there, but still. That's a gigantic change if true.
Goners
The following are no longer a part of the program due to transfer/quitting: Jack Graffagnino, Owen Heinecke, James Gurr, Daniel Garone, Parker Hogan.
Gurr was the sole contributor from this group, and I thought he actually had a good freshman year. Wishing them all the best in their future endeavors.
Link to roster:
