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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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