The first BIG offseason move!
Redwoods head coach and GM Nat St. Laurent continues his trend of big offseason moves. During the off-season between the 2019 and 2020 seasons coach Nat traded for Myles Jones from the Chaos, then in the next off-season Coach Nat traded for Rob Pannell from the Atlas, and this off-season coach Nat has traded Matt Kavanagh to the Cannons in exchange for John Piatelli and Matt Rahill.
Matt Kavanagh was a key piece for the Redwoods in the first four seasons, but in 2022 his production dropped recording only 13 points (8G & 5A) in 10 games down from his 20 points (15G & 5A) in 9 games in 2021. The hustle and energy plays Kavanagh made on the field will be missed for the Redwoods. The trio of Garnsey, Pannell, and Kav were great in the Ride creating turnovers and forcing confusion in the clearing game for opposing defenses. Kav's value will be missed for the Redwoods not only on the field, but in the locker room. Coach Quirk and the Cannons will be happy to have the former Fighting Irish attackmen to play alongside Lyle Thompson and Asher Nolting in the lineup. The Cannons offense struggled in 2022 relying heavily on Thompson and Nolting for scoring. As a team the Cannons had the second lowest score total and the lowest Power Play Percentage in 2022. The addition of Kav will hopefully solidify the third attack position and make life easier for the rest of the Cannons' attacking players.
The Redwoods received defenseman Matt Rahill and attackman John Piatelli, both players who faced each other in the NCAA championship in 2022. Rahill played in five games for the Cannons recording 1 caused turnover and 9 ground balls, this acquisition provides depth at the pole position with Kyle Hartzell having turned 37 in October and Eddy Glazener returning from a serious lower leg injury that left him out the last two games of the Redwoods' season including the playoff game against the Archers. Rahill is a young player, who played for Coach Tillman at Maryland and will now play alongside some veteran defenders for the 'Woods. Piatelli did not make an appearance for the Cannons in 2022 as a rookie. In his final season at Cornell, Piatelli recorded 83 points (66G & 17A) those 66 goals lead the nation. The 'Woods will look to improve their offense, which scored 114 goals third worst in the league, with the addition of Piatelli and the return of Ryan Lee from injury hopefully that will be the boost the 'Woods need to make another deep run in the playoffs as they did in the 2019 season.
As a Redwoods fan I'm sad to see Kav leave, he was part of the original Redwoods' roster and was an important part for the first four seasons of the league. His energy and hustle plays will be missed, but I wish him the best playing alongside Lyle and the Cannons.
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