Three undrafted rookies were cut: SSDM Corey Kale, goalie Matt Kilkeary, and faceoff athlete Justin Joseph. Additionally, the team decided to part ways with attackman Joe Robertson. Robertson appeared in four games for the ‘Woods in 2022, picking up 2 points (1 goal and 1 assist).

BJ Farrare: From Undrafted to Rostered 

BJ Farrare, an LSM from Penn, is the lone undrafted free agent to make the team. Farrare took reps at SSDM in training camp and during Tuesday's scrimmage against Chrome. That added versatility and the speed that makes him a threat in transition likely pushed him into one of the last spots on the roster. 

Redwoods Head Coach and GM Nat St. Laurent previously mentioned that he and his staff would be placing a premium on both traits during training camp. And so far, based on the draft and offseason acquisitions, that has played out.  

Farrare will join a transition unit consisting of SSDMs Isaiah Davis Allen and Chris Merle, LSMs John Sexton and Owen Grant (who was moved to the unable to Travel List), and two-way middies Nakeie Montgomery and Brian Tevlin. 

Between Davis-Allen, Merle, Montgomery, Tevlin, and Farrare, the Redwoods have many options at the SSDM position. Which, more than any other position, was a priority for the Redwoods roster revamp after Pat Harberson and Jack Near retired this offseason. 

Narrowing Down to a 19-Man Roster

As Game 1 against the Atlas draws near this Saturday, the next step for St. Laurent and his staff is deciding on the 19-man roster.

St. Laurent mentioned that they would likely carry two faceoff specialists, and with Joseph’s departure, Zach Cole has locked up the spot behind TD Ierlan.  Saturday will also be when we find out whether Tim Troutner or Jack Kelly won starting spot in between the pipes to start the year.

However, the composition of the rest of the squad remains up in the air. The midfield, in particular, demands careful deliberation. Eight midfielders and, likely, three listed attackmen are vying for a slot in the offensive midfield rotation, which will likely consist of five or six spots. And the team will still have to decide on how many poles they want to carry. 

The ‘Woods roster reconstruction is almost complete when it is the staff can entirely turn their attention to rebounding from last year’s 4-6 record.