Major League Lacrosse: Breaking Down the 2012 All-Star Rosters

By (Featured Columnist) on June 26, 2012

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Jim Rogash/Getty Images

It's that time again! Major League Lacrosse All-Star Weekend begins Friday June 29th and runs through Sunday July 1st with much of the live coverage held on ESPN2. 

The 2012 All-Star Weekend houses everything from a jamboree tournament to charity auction, and of course the fan-favorite Skills Challenges. 

Here's a complete breakdown of the 2012 MLL All-Star Weekend...

Format

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Jim Rogash/Getty Images

The format for the 2012 MLL All-Star Game is sure to be exciting as once again the Young Guns take on Old School at Florida Atlantic University Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida—a recent "target" for MLL expansion. 

The MLL stole a page from the top-level sports leagues like Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League and gave the power of voting to the fans for the first year ever. 

The Old School players are eligible to be considered 'Old School' if they joined Major League Lacrosse between 2001 and 2008 while players who began MLL play by 2009 are considered the Young Guns. 

All-Star Weekend Schedule

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Jim Rogash/Getty Images

Friday, June 29th: Media Day

On Friday of All-Star Weekend, the event kicks off with a Fanzone (open 5pm-8pm) while introducing the All-Stars (6pm) and concludes with a free youth clinic held by the Stars (6:30pm-7:30pm)

Saturday, 6/30

Saturday's jam-packed day begins with the MLL All-Star Experience featuring Casey Powell and Tony Lowe. This is a "jamboree" style tournament held before the MLL All-Star Game that will give registered players the unique opportunity to play against MLL legend Casey Powell. 

Following the first part of the jamboree tournament, the MLL All-Stars will begin warm-ups at 6:30pm with the official face-off set for 7:30pm live on ESPN2.

At halftime of the All-Star Game players will take part in the Bud Light Skills Competition which features events like a trick shot competition or hardest shot competition. 

Following the game, the players will autograph their game-used jerseys that will be donated to the HEADstrong foundation. 

Sunday, 7/1 

Casey Powell and Tony Lowe's MLL All-Star Experience tournament finishes at Florida Atlantic University.

Young Guns Attackmen

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Brian A. Westerholt/Getty Images
      Player     Team
Billy Bitter   Charlotte
Stephen Keogh   Hamilton
Matt Gibson Long Island
Jim Connoly     Ohio

 

The Young Guns attackmen are headlined by UNC-grad Billy Bitter who is backed by Hamilton's Stephen Keogh, Matt Gibson from the Long Island Lizards and Ohio's Jim Connolly. 

Old School Attackmen

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Larry French/Getty Images

 

       Player     Team
Chazz Woodson      Ohio
Kevin Buchanan     Boston
Brendan Mundorf     Denver
Drew Westervelt Chesapeake
Brian Langtry Long Island

 

The Old School attackmen are purely stacked. From Team USA's Brendan Mundorf to true O.G. Chazz Woodson, it will be extremely interesting to see the Young Guns' defense try and contain them.  

Young Guns Midfield

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Kirk Irwin/Getty Images























    Player Position    Team
   Matt Dolente    F/O    Hamilton
Steve DiNapoli     M   Rochester
    David Earl     M    Hamilton
    Mike Stone     M    Boston
    Max Siebald     M  Long Island
     Ben Hunt     M Chesapeake
   Jovan Miller     M   Charlotte
Jeremy Sieverts     M    Denver
   Peet Poillon     M    Denver

Old School Midfield

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Jim Rogash/Getty Images
       Player Position      Team
     Chris Eck    F/O     Boston
    Paul Rabil     M     Boston
Steven Brooks     M  Chesapeake
    Kyle Dixon     M  Chesapeake
Stephen Berger     M     Charlotte
 Casey Powell     M    Hamilton 
  Matt Striebel      M    Rochester 
   Joe Walters     M    Hamilton

 

From the most popular man in lacrosse to sharpshooter Joe Walters, the Old School midfield is a Hall of Fame team in itself. 

Young Guns Defense

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Justin Edmonds/Getty Images
Player  Position Team
Drew Adams G Long Island
Jordan Burke G Boston
Joel White D Rochester
Brian Karalunas D Long Island
Michael Evans D Chesapeake
Brian Farrell D Boston
Ryan Flanagan D Charlotte

                                                          

Old School Defense

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Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
           Player Position   Team
     Brett Queener     G    Hamilton
Jesse Schwartzman     G     Denver
        Greg Bice     D      Ohio
      Kyle Hartzell      D      Ohio 
      Nick Polanco     D  Chesapeake
        Lee Zink     D     Denver 
      Brian Spallina     D Chesapeake 

 

The Old School defense is headlined by two future Hall of Famers, Kyle Hartzell and Nicky Polanco, while the always entertaining Brett Queener will step between the pipes. 

MVP Watch

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Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Once the 2012 MLL All-Star Game gets underway, all of the focus will turn to the MVP award. 

Key Players to Watch

Paul Rabil

Casey Powell

Nicky Polanco

Brett Queener

Chazz Woodson

Kevin Buchanan 

However given the insanely stacked rosters, it's anyone's call as to who is the favorite for the 2012 MLL All-Star Game MVP. 

Past All-Star Game Most Valuable Players

2011 - Michael Kimmel

2010 - Brendan Mundorf

2009 - Brian Langtry

2008 - Ryan Powell

2007 - Matt Poskay

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