Kyle Hartzell

Kyle Hartzell (born September 10, 1985) is an American professional lacrosse player, currently playing with the California Redwoods of the Premier Lacrosse League. He is currently the Head Lacrosse Coach for the University of Texas at Austin. He graduated from Salisbury University (D3) in 2007. Hartzell previously played for the Atlas Lacrosse Club of the Premier Lacrosse League. Kyle is playing for the NLL Expansion Team the San Diego Seals Kyle Hartzell has also played professional lacrosse for Washington, Chesapeake, Ohio, and New York in the Major League Lacrosse. Hartzell had a career high 11 goals in 2012 as a part of the Ohio Machine, as well as 22 total caused turnovers. Known for his flashy over-the-head and rusty gate checks and his outspoken personality, Hartzell has become one of the most well-known defensive players in lacrosse.

Playing career Raised in Dundalk, Maryland Hartzell primarily played soccer growing up and only began playing lacrosse as a freshman in high school, originally as an attackman. He was not recruited out of high school, first attending CCBC-Essex, where he started as a midfielder before switching to LSM. He won an NJCAA Championship in 2004, then transferring to Salisbury University, where he walked on to the lacrosse team. At Salisbury, Hartzell did not play much until his senior season, switching between midfield and defense before finding his role as a full time defenseman his senior year. He would captain the Gulls to a 23-0 season and national championship, finishing the season with 42 caused turnovers and 83 ground balls, while being named team defensive MVP, first team all league, and third team All-American.

Professionally, Hartzell has played in MLL for the San Francisco Dragons, Washington/Chesapeake Bayhawks, Ohio Machine, and New York Lizards, in NLL with the San Jose/Washington Stealth, Philadelphia Wings, and San Diego Seals, and in the PLL for Atlas Lacrosse Club and Redwoods Lacrosse Club. He won MLL championships in 2010 with Chesapeake and 2015 with New York, as well as an NLL championship in 2010 with Washington.

Internationally, Hartzell has represented the United States three times, once in box and twice in field. He won a bronze medal at the 2011 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship, a silver at the 2014 World Lacrosse Championship, and a gold at the 2018 World Lacrosse Championship.

Hartzell announced his retirement from professional lacrosse on September 18, 2023. He finished his career with 89 points between MLL and PLL, the fourth most of any longpole in history.

Hartzell came out of retirement to play for the California Redwoods in the 2026 season amidst an injury crisis among their defense.

Coaching career On April 11, 2024, Hartzell was hired as an assistant coach and defensive coordinator by the Boston Cannons, the rebranded Cannons Lacrosse Club.

Stats

MLL Reference:

PLL

NLL Reference: