US Lacrosse Selects OΓÇÖConnor ΓÇÖ13
30 July 2019 US Lacrosse Selects OConnor 13
Hobart College graduate Ethan OConnor 13 is one of 23 players named to the U.S. mens team roster that will compete in the 2019 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship. US Lacrosse announced its roster, as well as seven alternates, last week for the quadrennial championship which will be held in Langley, British Columbia, Sept. 19-28.
Team USA, which has earned a bronze medal at each of the past four world indoor championships will open pool play against defending gold medalist Team Canada on Sept. 19. On Sept. 20, the United States will play Israel in what will be a Hobart reunion of sorts. Team Israels roster includes OConnors classmate and teammate Jake Silberlicht 13. The Americans will conclude pool play on Sept. 21 against the 2015 silver medalists, the Iroquois Nationals.
OConnor graduated from Hobart with a bachelors degree in economics. On the lacrosse field, the long-stick midfielder produced five goals, an assist, 116 ground balls and 11 caused turnovers during his career. In his senior season, OConnor earned the Van Arsdale Award for superior scholarship, leadership, and determination. He led the 2013 team with a career-high 52 ground balls, picking up at least one in every game and logging three or more 12 times. OConnors academic work earned him a spot on the ECAC Lacrosse League All-Academic Team following his sophomore, junior and senior seasons.
OConnor was a first round draft choice of the Toronto Rock in the 2013 NLL entry draft, going ninth overall. In his NLL debut season, he appeared in 17 games with the Rock, collecting 133 loose balls, tops among all NLL rookies. OConnor was traded to the Minnesota (now Georgia) Swarm during the offseason. In four seasons with the Swarm, he played in 68 games, producing 325 loose balls, 40 caused turnovers and 34 points (9g,25a).
OConnor was traded to the Buffalo Bandits prior to the start of the 2018-19 season. He played in all 18 of the teams regular season games, producing career highs in goals (6) and points (13). OConnor also played in three of the Bandits postseason games as Buffalo advanced to the NLL Cup Finals. He recently signed a one-year contract extension with Buffalo.
Originally from Milton, Ontario, OConnor is married and has permanent resident status in the United States, making him eligible for the U.S. National Team. He lives in Buffalo, N.Y., and works fulltime for M&T Bank.
While this will be OConnors first cap for the national team, Silberlicht has appeared in several international tournaments for Israel, including the 2014 and 2018 FIL world championships and the 2015 indoor championship.
A two-time team captain at Hobart, Silberlicht appeared in 45 career games, recording 13 goals, six assists, and 16 ground balls. He capped his collegiate career with an appearance in the North-South All-Star Game.