2009 Season-What to Expect

By-Kevin M. Neibauer

With the 2009 National Lacrosse League just around the corner, I wanted to take a look at the upcoming season and what appears to be a drastic new look for your Philadelphia Wings.

Jake Bergey, Jamie Rooney, Peter Jacobs, and Jason Crosbie....none are returning. That is a lot of experience that the Silver (Red) and Black are losing.

Crosbie, Jacobs and Bergey all brought leadership and experience to the locker room.

Rooney, put points on the board, although he faded in the latter stages of the season, his contributions carried this team at times.

Bergey had one of his most productive seasons ever and was rewarded by being exposed (again) to the Expansion Draft.

Jacobs was seeing less and less time due to the emergence of Geoff Snider, but, Jacobs was one of the biggest leaders of the club. His presence, along with the presence of Crosbie certainly helped the younger players along.

Athan Iannucci....what else can be said. Without a doubt, the biggest question for this team. Will he return to his old form? Will the knee hold up?

Clearly 70 goals is asking a lot, but how about 50? It is tough to expect that kind of production again, especially with Iannucci coming off the injury and Philadelphia seriously lacking a second proven scorer.

Will Merrick Thomson play up to his billing? Thomson was superb at times last season, but was also nearly invisible on occasion.

So, where will the goals come from? Who steps up? Will Jim Borell or David Mitchell become the surprise break-out player of the season?

Pat Heim showed some skill at times, Drew Westervelt is another player who will be counted on to step it up.

AJ Shannon may turn out to be the key to the offense this season. Has Shannon gotten back into paying shape? Is he ready to emerge as a leader?

Geoff Snider....simply needs to play his game. Snider struggled early last season, taking a lot of penalties and simply making bad decisions. Snider is one of the most explosive players in the game and will do his part to win a few games with heart alone.

Snider needs to realize that he is a constant target of the opposition due to his heart. He needs to keep his emotions in check. It is time for Snider to step up and accept his role as a team leader.


Defensively, the Wings had a ton of talent, but have a problem with cohesion and the abiity to play a solid game.

Kyle Sweeney should only get better, the return of Kyle Wailes won't hurt either. Taylor Wray and Tom Hajek are solid. Rob van Beek needs to have a big season.

Goaltending...which Blazer do we see? The one who played lights out for most of the home schedule? or the Bazer that played like the lights were out on the road?

Brandon Miller should be able to fill in nicely, in fact, Miller could compete for the starting spot.

Dave Huntley did a nice job with the team last season. He will have his work cut out for him this season.

The Philadelphia squad made the playoffs last year, so logically, they need to do at least that much.

Minnesota is out of the Division, but New York has gotten even stronger and Rochester will always be a threat as long as Gary Gait is playing.

Buffalo of course is Buffalo, tough to play every year. Even if you beat them, they play a physical game that takes a toll on players. How will Sean Greenhalgh rebound? He improves the power play just by being on the foor.

Toronto went through a of of adversity last season, with questions about the coaching staff and the impending retirement of Jim Veltman. The Rock may be the weak link of the Division....or maybe not.

Boston is putting together a nice squad, Tom Ryan has added Dan Dawson, a legit goal scorer who will mesh nicely with Jake Bergey (If Bergey plays)

Chicago has been steadily improving the past two seasons. Are they ready contend for a playoff? Of course.

So, where will Philly finish?


Remember, you get what you pay for and these predictions were free....

Wings will lose their first two (road games in Buffalo and Minneota)
win their next three (Chicago and Boston twice)
lose to San Jose
defeat Buffalo
Boston
Chicago
lose to New York
defeat Minnesota (OT)
defeat Colorado
New York
lose to New York
defeat Toronto
Rochester

So, that makes them 11-5....or maybe 5-11.....


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