O’Connor named to Team USA for world indoor championship

SPARKS, Md.—Hobart College graduate Ethan O'Connor '13 is one of 23 players named to the U.S. men's 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 Israel's roster includes O'Connor's classmate and teammate Jake Silberlicht '13. The Americans will conclude pool play on Sept. 21 against the 2015 silver medalists, the Iroquois Nationals.

O'Connor graduated from Hobart with a bachelor's 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, O'Connor 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. O'Connor's academic work earned him a spot on the ECAC Lacrosse League All-Academic Team following his sophomore, junior and senior seasons.

O'Connor 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. O'Connor 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).
 

Ethan O'Connor waves to the crowd after a Buffalo Bandits game.

O'Connor was traded to the Buffalo Bandits prior to the start of the 2018-19 season. He played in all 18 of the team's regular season games, producing career highs in goals (6) and points (13). O'Connor 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, O'Connor 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.
 

Jake Silberlicht eyes up an opponent's attack during the 2017 World Championship.

While this will be O'Connor's 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.