Graeme Hossack has been the best defender in the league halfway through the regular season.
Hossack’s primary assignments in 2025 – including Jeff Teat, Brennan O’Neill, Ryder Garnsey, Asher Nolting and Rob Pannell – are averaging 0.6 goals, 0.8 assists, 2.8 turnovers and a ridiculous 8.2% shooting percentage in their matchups against him.
“Graeme is quietly, extraordinarily dominant every time he steps on the field,” Tom Schreiber said. “I think it’s funny that he’s also the guy who shoots the ball the hardest now. But, he’s also the strongest, the most physically-imposing, the best [at] positioning and makes very, very few mistakes. Graeme is as good as it gets. We’re certainly glad he’s on our side.”
The 2021 Defensive Player of the Year is back atop the conversation among the best close defenders in lacrosse following a lockdown five-game stretch to open 2025. He’s helped lead the Archers to a league-low 10.0 scores against average and a 20.8% shooting percentage against, which would rank first since 2001 if the season ended today.
Beyond his crushing physicality and newfound record-breaking shot speed, his versatility is what particularly stands out about Hossack’s success. He’s a rare specimen who can handle any matchup. Hossack can bruise with the biggest attackmen in Nolting and O’Neill, but can also match feet against shiftier attackmen as well.
“He’s a dude that covers Asher and covers Michael [Sowers],” Utah Archers head coach Chris Bates said. “Hoss has been great. He’s been good on the ground. He scored a goal. … Our defense, led by him, has really been pretty stout all year.”
Many of the best attackmen in the world routinely have their worst games versust Hossack. Opponents are for 1-for-17 on unassisted shots against him so far this year. The pressure his on-ball strength takes off the rest of the Archers defense is immense.
One-on-one, there is little attackmen can do to shake free from Hossack.
Pannell tried early in the season-opener in Albany. But Hossack, knowing Pannell loves to turn into his patented question mark when carrying upfield from X, pushed him upfield and even used a v-hold wrap check to poke at the head of Pannell’s stick and disrupt him right at five-and-five.