Goalie Troutner a 2-time PLL All-Star
St. Mary’s product ‘wants to prove that he’s the best’
Defenseman Eddy Glazener has played in front of many goalies during his lacrosse career. From high school to college to now the professional level, he has noticed that netminders tend to be somewhat strange.
“I guess if you’re the type of guy who is going to stand in a net and take shots, you have to be a bit weird,” Glazener said.
Being backstopped by Tim
Troutner Jr. with the Redwoods of the Premier Lacrosse League has forced Glazener to reconsider that assessment.
“Out of all the goalies I’ve played with during my career, Timmy is one of the most level-headed. His composure and overall attitude are inspiring for the defense,” Glazener said.
“There are times when you give up three or four goals in a row without making a save and everyone on the defense gets deflated. We never have to calm down Timmy because he stays on an even keel. It’s definitely impressive how consistent he is.”
Troutner has been the starting keeper for the Redwoods throughout his entire professional career and has brought a rocksteady presence in the cage. The Annapolis resident’s status as one of the finest goalies in the game was reaffirmed last week when he was voted a starter for the Premier Lacrosse League All-Star game, being held Saturday night at PayPal Park in San Jose, California.
Troutner, one of four goalies chosen for the game, will start for the Adversaries team led by captain Grant Ament. He beat out Archers netminder Adam Ghitelman based off fan voting and PLL player balloting. Chaos goalie Blaze Riorden is captain of the Defenders team and was voted to start but will sit out the game with a lower body injury.
Troutner played in the PLL All-Star game as a rookie in 2019 and won the goalie skills competition, which involved facing step-down shooters from 15 yards away. He edged Riorden by making the most saves. There was no All-Star game last season as the PLL played a bubble tournament in Salt Lake City.
Troutner, who ranks fourth in the PLL with a .588 save percentage through six games, was worried his candidacy might be hurt after he was replaced at halftime of a game against the Waterdogs two weekends ago. After allowing 10 goals in the first half, the St. Mary’s High graduate was replaced by backup Jack Kelly.
It was only the second time in his threeyear pro career that Troutner had been pulled. Redwoods coach Nat St. Laurent liked the way Troutner responded.
“When I told Timmy at halftime that we were putting in Jack Kelly, he looked me right in the eye and said he deserves a shot and I’m happy for him,” St. Laurent said. “TimmywascheeringJackfromthesideline andwasencouraginghimduringtimeouts.”
Kelly, a Brown graduate who was a member of the 2018 United States national team, was back on the bench for the next game. Troutner was at the top of his game the following weekend in Minneapolis, registering 17 saves and giving up just seven goals in a comfortable victory over the Whipsnakes.
“We knew right away he was going to bounce back. I anticipated Timmy having a great game against Whipsnakes and sure enough he responded really well,” St. Laurent said. “That is why Timmy deserves to be in the All-Star game and is one of the top two or three goalies in the PLL, period.”