NE West I: Brunswick's Young Guns to Watch in 2025

While Brunswick will once again enter the spring with high expectations, the Bruins' roster will have a noticeably different feel compared to past years, when the program boasted exceptional depth and experienced upperclassmen.   Heading into 2025, the Bruins must replace a trio of New Balance Senior All-Americans now playing in the ACC, along with freshman starters at Georgetown and Colgate—part of last year's talented graduating class of 14 seniors. This marks the fourth consecutive year Brunswick has lost at least two Senior All-Americans and eight or more Division I recruits. While the junior and senior classes still provide plenty of firepower, the lack of experienced depth creates an opportunity for some of 'Wick's young guns to step up early.   Earlier this fall, we highlighted several promising 2027s at Brunswick—midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='122410' first='Luke' last='Perriello'] and defensemen [player_tooltip player_id='120825' first='Madsen' last='Ehrhart'] and [player_tooltip player_id='120759' first='Leif' last='Anderson']—who are expected to contribute as varsity returners, though significant minutes may be scarce at close defense. That said, coach David Bruce has several freshmen worth keeping an eye on, with a few appearing poised to earn playing time in 2025.    A West Coast transplant whose family recently moved from San Francisco to Greenwich, Bligh has two older siblings who play at Brown and another who finished his career there in 2023. He's also cousins with the Hausmanns—Charlie, a junior at 'Wick, and Hudson, a former five-star now at Virginia. It's easy to tell that Sawyer has been around the game forever, as he has an incredibly high lacrosse IQ and stick skills to match. Comfortable and productive from any spot within an offense, he's a high-percentage scorer when turning the corner with either hand and dangerous when creating from up top. With plenty of shake and a downright nasty split dodge, he can provide a spark in a variety of ways and has exceptional vision. Bligh stood out as one of the best players on the field for the WCS 2027s at December's IMLCA Players Summit.     Displaying traits reminiscent of some of the program's top midfield recruits in recent memory, Giuriceo's film jumps off the screen. Strikingly quick, he's an elite separator who has little trouble getting his hands free and uncorking high-quality shots. His violent release makes the ball explode off his stick when shooting on the run. Formerly a '27, the wildly skilled lefty from Bronxville (N.Y.) consistently draws slides and weaves through traffic to finish in tight spaces. A fiery competitor and a relentless dodger, he's tough to contain once he gets going. As he continues to grow and refine his passing and off-hand, he'll only become more dangerous, though he's already quite a threat going to his right. It might be hard to keep him off one of the top two midfield lines this spring.     The son of longtime NLL and MLL standout and Eclipse director Jamie Hanford, he's a promising young offensive weapon with a well-rounded skill set and an innate feel for the game. He's a formidable threat, capable of beating his man off the dodge from the wing, attacking from X to finish topside, and burying shots off the catch. He also has a knack for generating extra possessions with his tenacious riding ability, showcasing the motor and toughness instilled by his hockey background. With an excellent first step and body control, he generates separation with ease, yet he can also finish through contact, absorbing physicality and stick checks. Hanford also limits turnovers, staying aggressive and shifty with the ball while remaining opportunistic off-ball. With a hole at lefty attack, Hanford is a strong candidate to carve out a role there.     Another talented transfer from out west, the Colorado product has been a force on the '27 circuit, playing locally with a loaded CO Kings squad as well as the West Coast Starz and now 2Way. A creative and crafty scorer with a Canadian-like handle around the cage, Tuttle has a big frame and moves with fluidity, unleashing a hard, accurate shot from range or finishing with flair inside. Poised and noticeably two-handed for his age, he plays an excitable style while checking plenty of boxes as a goal-scorer. He displayed impressive chemistry with Bligh at IMLCA and could slot in at either attack or midfield this spring, depending on how things shake out. Expect to see plenty of highlight reel-worthy plays from Tuttle on King Street for years to come.

While Brunswick will once again enter the spring with high expectations, the Bruins' roster will have a noticeably different feel compared to past years, when the program boasted exceptional depth and experienced upperclassmen.