Major League Lacrosse: Breaking Down the 2012 All-Star Rosters
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
1 of 9The 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
2 of 9Friday, 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
3 of 9| 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.
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Old School Attackmen
4 of 9| 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
5 of 9| 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
6 of 9| 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
7 of 9| 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
8 of 9| 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
9 of 9Once 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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