It’s a scary sight for opposing defenses to see Michael Sowers, Kieran McArdle and Zach Currier walk onto the field. It gets worse when No. 3 in purple and white joins them.

The Philadelphia Waterdogs offense missed out on that lineup in the first three games last year with Jack Hannah out due to a hand injury. And even when the midfielder returned to the field, he wasn't fully healthy.

“[Hannah] is a scientist when it comes to shooting,” Waterdogs head coach and general manager Bill Tierney said. “He may even overthink his shooting because last year when he did come back, he had formulated different patterns for his righty and lefty shots because his thumb still wasn't 100%.”

Despite the injury’s impact on his play, Hannah tallied 12 points (9G, 3A) in seven games, including two three-point performances in Philadelphia’s only wins of the season. 

As a result, Hannah landed at No. 29 on the PLL’s 2024 Players’ Top 50 — five spots higher than his previous ranking.

“Frankly, he never complained about it,” fellow Waterdogs midfielder Connor Kelly said. “... You’d see him taping it for the game and rigging something up, but if he told me he wasn't hurt, I would’ve believed him because he was a tremendous player last year.”

After scoring 11 goals during the Waterdogs’ 2022 Cash App Championship run, Hannah missed six games over the last two seasons while dealing with injuries. Now, he’s ready to hit training camp hard this year and, he hopes, help lead Philadelphia back to the playoffs after a last-place finish last season. 

“We definitely need our hands on offense and their full range,” Hannah said. “We need to use all of our fingers, so it was a learning curve and how my digits would work post-surgery, and it’s just great to be fully healthy.”

Tierney, who also coached Hannah in college at Denver, has high hopes for the fourth-year pro.

“I was with him the other day over at the University of Denver and watching them shoot,” Tierney said. “He's dialed in, and we're expecting great things out of him right from the start."

Philadelphia’s training camp kicks off on Friday, and Hannah is eager to get back on the field after an encouraging offseason. The 25-year-old noted that he's focused on improving his craft with no limitations to his technique.

“I'm just excited to get a full camp rolling, healthy, ready to go and have some confidence and taking some checks on these hands and not having to protect myself or change what I do,” Hannah said.

Where Sowers is known for his quick shake and go, Hannah has a similar shake and shot that leaves his stick in the blink of an eye. His ability to shoot missiles across the field using both hands makes him as dangerous as they come.

“He's got the quickest hand release and has unbelievable wrist movement,” Tierney said. “He doesn't need this big, giant windup that a lot of guys do to put heat on the ball strong. He’ll shake you, and then the ball’s out of his stick before you know it.”

At this point in his career, Tierney views Hannah as a “sure veteran” who can be one of the best midfielders in the league and help Philly win the close games that slipped through its hands last season. 

The Waterdogs had five one-goal losses in 2024. Hannah missed three of those contests and had a season-low 14 touches in another. 

“I’m not putting too many goal markers on my accolades,” Hannah said. “I just want to get back to playing a full healthy season, playing hardball and helping the Dogs out in any way.” 

While Hannah doesn’t have many personal milestones planned for himself, he does have one he hopes to achieve with his team in 2025.

“Win the championship,” Hannah said. “I got my toes dipped in that bucket my rookie year. … It’s time to get back there.”