Luke Villano has compiled a fantastic roster for the fifth straight season for the Raw Dawgz. The two time defending champs have only one goal for 2019 - a third straight title. The Raw Dawgz have taken down the Hawks and Sloths in the past 2 finals and hope to find their way back on top at the end of the 2019 campaign. With eight Raw Dawgz returning as back to back champions, as well as the addition of Shane Kelley (two time champion with Team USA in 2015 and 2016) the Raw Dawgz have the experience and skill to go for their third straight title.
Forward Denis Hickey is expected to be in the MVP conversation. Hickey is one of the all time leaders in points per game (3.56 pts/game) and will be among the top scorers in the league. Hickey, along with vegetarian Steve Scian and Tim “Chelsea” Ryan form arguably the best offensive line in the EBHL this season. Zack Grace is again expected to be a dominant force for the Dawgz. Grace is universally considered by anyone that’s ever seen an EBHL game to be the rawest EBHL player of all time. Also deserving mention are the (unconfirmed) rumors surrounding forward Anton Abruzzo. Sources say this EBHL season may be a #FarewellTour for Abruzzo, citing a 2020 presidential bid as one of the possible reasons for his departure.
The Raw Dawgz made a couple of unexpected signings this offseason by acquiring two Russian prospects, forward Eric Ortiz and forward/goalie hybrid Tyler Brandow from the Russian Ball Hockey Association. It remains to be seen what these two players can contribute, but word around the league is that the Dawgz may have found two diamonds in the rough from across the pond. Another unexpected signing was forward Chelsea “Tim” Monahan. Monahan will be the first female to ever play in an EBHL game and early projections have her outscoring teammate Tim Ryan by an extremely significant margin.
The defense is lead by Pat Hickey and Austin Mauger. These elite talents will sacrifice their bodies in front of Brendan Gumm, the only goalie in the league who will be wearing a T-shirt instead of a jersey. All these factors make the Raw Dawgz a scary team to have to play against. The Raw Dawgz will have several Dogs at every game, both on and off the rink, and will use every ounce of raw dawg spirit to battle for a third straight championship.