Latest News

College Crosse Prospectus: The story of John Tavares (lacrosse) and John Tavares (hockey)

All the lacrosse news you can handle and plenty more!

By Chris Jastrzembski@Chris_Jast Jul 3, 2018, 9:31am EDT

If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD MORNING, College Crosse Nation! Thanks for making us a part of your day! Here’s everything you need to know for July 3, 2018.

What You Missed

The Drexel Dragons hired former Bryant Bulldogs head coach Jill Batcheller for the same position.

Our Year in Review series continued with the Furman Paladins.

The first game of the 2019 men’s college lacrosse season appears to be going west as Utah will host Vermont on February 1.

Lacrosse The Nation

It sounds like we know another one of Utah’s opponents.

With hockey’s John Tavares signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs, TSN’s Bob McKenzie posted his story on the hockey John Tavares and the box lacrosse John Tavares, the Wayne Gretzky of box lacrosse:

“I was so impatient for lacrosse season to start, I’d go over once the ice started to melt and I’d chip away the ice with my boots, break it up, help it along so the box would be clear for lacrosse,” Tavares said. “I couldn’t wait for lacrosse season to start.”

Tavares loved playing for St. Christopher’s at Alexandra Park. It felt like home. It wasn’t easy for him when his family left the Bathurst-Queen Street area for the suburbs in Mississauga, where he wound up playing minor lacrosse as well as Junior B and Junior A.

Even in midget lacrosse, playing alongside future NHLer Brendan Shanahan, everyone knew J.T. had that special something.

“What I always remember about him is that he was working on his (lacrosse) stick,” Shanahan said. “Constantly. The other thing about him is that he was so smart, so tricky. He was always working on trick plays, hiding the ball, pretending to leave the floor on a line change but then racing back into the play to score a goal. I can’t tell you how many times he would score a goal and the game would be delayed because the refs would have to consult and figure out what they just saw and whether it was legal. He was always pushing the envelope on rules, finding loopholes, getting creative.

“He was in minor lacrosse what Pavel Datsyuk is now, a guy you just like to watch practice to see all the creative things he would try.”

Sticking to box lacrosse, the San Diego Seals have their first player: Kyle Buchanan.

Over at Lafayette, Pat Myers has hired former Colgate Raiders assistant Jud Hall as his new defensive coordinator:

“I’m thrilled to welcome Jud Hall to the Lafayette lacrosse family,” Myers said. “His Patriot League experience, coupled with his time at Ohio State, will prove invaluable as he assists with all aspects of our program. Jud is a proven recruiter and evaluator of talent, is relentless in his attention to detail when it comes to coordinating the defensive side of the ball and, most importantly, is a good person. I’m excited for Coach Hall to join Coach Bieda and me in the revitalization of our program.”

Hall moves across the Patriot League after three seasons at Colgate where he was charged with running the team’s defensive unit as well as responsibilities with the goalies. During his tenure, he oversaw a team that made it to the Patriot League quarterfinals a year ago and assisted in the development of Brandon Burke ’17, a Second-Team All-League selection between the pipes in 2017.

“I would like to thank Coach Myers and the Lafayette athletic administration for this unbelievable opportunity,” Hall added. “The excitement and vision for this program moving forward is undeniable. Coach Myers’ dedication to building a program based on hard work, toughness and brotherhood is incredibly exciting. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work at one of our nation’s most prestigious liberal arts colleges and cannot wait to get started.”

Some MCLA news: Former Maryland All-American defenseman Casey Connor is the new head coach for the Arizona State Sun Devils.

Former Duke Blue Devils SSDM Will Haus has been named to the U.S. Men’s National Team.

After winning the national championship, the Yale Bulldogs are now superstars in New Haven, notes Chip Malafronte of the New Haven Register:

Andy Shay said the Bulldogs who worked his summer youth lacrosse camp a year ago weren’t asked for a single autograph. Last week they were swarmed for signatures, none more than Final Four MVP Matt Gaudet, whose goal-scoring ability and pro wrestler looks made him the most recognizable, though not right away.

“He cut his hair and shaved,” Shay said. “So it took the kids a little while to realize it was him. But his hand probably still hurts from signing so many autographs.”

More essential to building on recent success, the championship has invigorated off-season workouts and is having a major impact on the recruiting trail.

Last month Albany’s T.D. Ierlan, the top faceoff specialist in the country, announced his intention to transfer to Yale. He’ll be eligible immediately, per NCAA rules regarding one-time transfers in lacrosse, and have two seasons in New Haven.

We also know a little more about Yale’s schedule, which includes a new opponent:

Yale is still looking to fill a couple of open dates in its schedule. So far its secured home games with Villanova and UMass; road games at Michigan and Albany. Penn State is also on the docket. The site isn’t official, but expected to be at Yale’s Reese Stadium. The Ivy opener is with Cornell, which beat the Bulldogs in the Ivy championship last season and looking like a top 10 team.