Andrew Coen - The 2010 Major League Lacrosse (MLL) season may be five months away, but the Long Island Lizards continue to have an active off-season from personnel moves to season ticket offerings and even had time to spread some holiday cheer by conducting charitable events in the community. Lizards General Manager Casey Hilpert spent some time with the Long Island Sports Report's Andrew Coen to discuss all the latest off-season developments with his organization and the entire MLL.

LISportsReport.com: The MLL Supplemental Draft was held last week and you were able to pick up 12 players highlighted by two-time league Most Valuable Player (MVP) Ryan Powell. Talk about what bringing Powell to the Lizards means to the organization?

Casey Hilpert: Well anytime you can add a two-time MVP you have to jump at the chance to add him to your lineup. Plus with young guys like Matt Danowski and Zack Greer, you hope that they learn from him on the field as well.


LISportsReport.com: Three Long Island Lizards players, Stephen Peyser, Matt Zash, and goalie Brian Dougherty, were recently selected to represent Team USA at the World Lacrosse Championships in Manchester, England next summer. What does it mean for the organization to have players selected to compete in this prestigious international lacrosse event that only occurs every four years?

Casey Hilpert: We are honored that many of our players were asked to tryout. It is a great honor for them as well as for us to have them selected. We hope that our players can be contributors to helping bring back Gold.


LISportsReport.com: While you must be very proud to have three players selected to play for Team USA at the World Lacrosse Championships in July, are there also some concerns that you will be missing these key players for some important mid-season games?

Casey Hilpert: The league has scheduled a league wide bye week in July to help so each team does not miss too many guys for multiple weeks. Our guyswill be missed, but it is an issue that each team will be facing around the league.


LISportsReport.com: Lizards season and half-tickets just went on sale. What are some special features being offered for the 2010 Lizards season ticket packages?

Casey Hilpert:  Besides the 30% savings, merchandise discounts, and special event invitations and raffles, one of the biggest features we added this year was the redemption package. If you can not make a game, you can call us and we will transfer your tickets to another game. This allows you to save money by purchasing the package and receive all of the great benefits and savings at http://longislandlizards.com/tickets/season/


LISportsReport.com: What are some upcoming off-season events in the Long Island community you have planned to try and promote the Lizards?

Casey Hilpert:  We are always out and about in the community. We just did a great Fundraiser with Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, to benefit Wilson Batista Jr. We will be teaming up with the Angela Miller Lacrosse Clinics again this season, and adding a Suffolk County date for that as well. These are just a few, I will keep everyone posted on more, and they can be found on the calendar on our website at www.longislandlizards.com