CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Friday, Feb. 15, 2013) -- The Charlotte Hounds of Major League Lacrosse today announced a pair of trades through which the team will acquire attackman Ryan Young in addition to two 2014 Collegiate Draft picks.
The first part of the deal sends midfielder Stephen Berger to the New York Lizards in exchange for Young, midfielder Colin Briggs and a 2014 Third Round Collegiate Draft Pick. The Hounds then send Briggs to the Boston Cannons in exchange for a 2014 Second Round Collegiate Draft Pick.
“Stephen Berger did great things for us as an expansion team,” said Hounds COO & Dir of Player Personnel Wade Leaphart. “We’re excited about the pieces we were able to acquire in this deal, allowing us to strengthen our core and build for the future.” Coach Mike Cerino echoed those sentiments, saying, "While we are going to miss Stephen Berger's experience, we are excited to add a dynamic young player in Ryan Young and two top-25 draft picks for the 2014 MLL Draft."
Young has played 19 games with the Lizards over the past two seasons, tallying 17 goals and seven assists for a total of 24 points. He will add needed depth to a Hounds attack unit currently featuring Matt Danowski, Eric Lusby and Shayne Jackson.
Berger, meanwhile, returns to a Lizards team with which he spent the first seven seasons of his MLL career.
The Hounds, a 2012 expansion team, finished their inaugural season at 5-9 and sixth place in the league. The team will kick off the 2013 season at home against the Denver Outlaws on April 27. Tickets for the 2013 season, which includes the MLL All-Star Game, are on sale now. For more information, please visit www.charlottehounds.com/tickets.