MLR Off-Season Update – Toronto Arrows

It’s been an off-season of change for the Arrows, who will be a very different side in 2023. Perhaps the most significant alteration is at the management level where long-time GM Mark Winokur has stepped aside, with Tim Matthews bringing a new perspective to the role.

Some of the club’s longest-standing players have departed. Cole Keith, Andrew Quattrin, and Spencer Jones headed further east to Boston. Tomás de la Vega and Gastón Mieres returned to South America, while halfbacks Andrew Ferguson and Will Kelly are not returning. The latter has landed in the UK.

Three players were picked in the Collegiate Draft, though Owain Ruttan is the only one confirmed in the senior squad to date. Lindsey Stevens and Kyle Breytenbach were selected in the Dispersal Draft. Stevens will instead play for Chicago, while Breytenbach has opted to step away from professional rugby.

There are new overseas arrivals strewn across the pitch with Gene Syminton in the front row, Micaiah Torrance-Read at lock, Mitch Eadie in the back row, Shane O’Leary at flyhalf, and the likes of Noel Reid and Fabian Goodall in the backline. Fan-favorite Avery Oitomen will make a return after a three-year injury-enforced absence from the sport.

Adrian Wadden has been suiting up for Sandy Bay in Hong Kong during the offseason, while James O’Neill and Mitch Richardson have been playing for Melrose in Scotland. Five returning players appeared for Canada on their November tour, which featured a test debut for Ruttan against the Netherlands.

The squad still has room for a couple other signings. A third hooker is needed, and if neither Paul Ciulini or Kyle Baillie return another big lock would be handy. At least one backline reinforcement is needed, preferably a specialist midfielder.

Re-signed: Lolani Faleiva (LH), Tyler Rowland (TH), Isaac Salmon (TH), Mike Sheppard (LO), Adrian Wadden (LO), Mason Flesch (LO/FL), James O’Neill (FL), Lucas Rumball (FL), Ross Braude (SH), Cole Brown (SH), Sam Malcolm (FH/FB), Mitch Richardson (CE), Kobe Faust (CE/WI)

Collegiate Draft: Denver Fatt (TH, UVic), Owain Ruttan (FL, UBC), Gabe Casey (FH/CE/FB, UVic)

New Signings: Connor Grindal (LH, Gordon, AU), Gene Syminton (HO, Hawke’s Bay, NZ), Nik Hildebrand (TH, Burnaby Lake), Micaiah Torrance-Read (LO, Manawatu, NZ), Corey Thomas (LO/FL, LA Giltinis), Travis Larsen (FL/N8, Seattle Seawolves), Mitch Eadie (N8, Hartpury, UK), Will Grant (SH, West Harbour, AU), Shane O’Leary (FH, Rouen Normandie, FR), Noel Reid (FH/CE, London Irish, UK), Nic Benn (CE, Manly Marlins, AU), Ciaran Breen (CE/FB, Pacific Pride), Cole Davis (WI, Rugby ATL), Fabian Goodall (WI, Eastwood, AU), Avery Oitomen (WI, unattached)

Departures: Cole Keith (LH, New England Free Jacks), Sam Mace (HO, Leeds Tykes, UK), Andrew Quattrin (HO, New England Free Jacks), Kyle Baillie (LO/FL), Tomás de la Vega (FL), Ollie Nott (FL), Marcello Wainwright (FL), Ronan Foley (N8, Seattle Seawolves), Siaki Vikilani (N8), Taitusi Vikilani (N8), Chris Bell (SH), Andrew Ferguson (SH), Will Kelly (FH, Chinnor, UK), Spencer Jones (CE, New England Free Jacks), Ueta Tufuga (CE), Dennon Robinson-Bartlett (CE/WI), Matthew Hood (WI), Gastón Mieres (WI/FB)