Carolina Hogs Dropped Collin Johns: The Carolina Hogs made the biggest move during Tuesday’s MLP Bench Player Replacement Period by waiving Collin Johns and adding Martin Emmrich. Other teams, including the Texas Ranchers, Orlando Squeeze, and New York Hustlers, also adjusted their rosters ahead of the second half of the 2025 season.
Carolina Hogs Replace Collin Johns
The Carolina Hogs, with a record of 2-12 and 7 points, released Collin Johns from their Premier level team. Martin Emmrich has been added to the roster in his place.
This decision follows last week’s move by the Hogs to make Brandon French their second starting male. That gave all other Premier level teams a chance to claim Collin Johns during Monday’s waiver period.
However, Johns was not picked by any team and is now off a Premier level roster. Like other players signed with the United Pickleball Association but not on a team, he will be available during the Challenger level waiver period on Wednesday.
The updated Carolina Hogs roster is: Ben Johns, Roscoe Bellamy, Martin Emmrich, Kaitlyn Christian, Tammy Emmrich, and Liz Truluck.
Texas Ranchers Add Wyatt Stone
The Texas Ranchers, who hold an 8-6 record with 27 points, made another move by signing Wyatt Stone and letting go of Rafa Hewett.
Last week, they had already traded Michael Loyd to the California Black Bears to get Rafa Hewett. Then on Monday, they traded Helena Jansen to the New York Hustlers to acquire Felicity Di Laura.
Wyatt Stone was first picked 10th overall in the Challenger level free agency draft by the Bay Area Breakers. He was later traded to the Dallas Flash but eventually replaced by Ivan Jakovljevic.
Now, Stone becomes the final player added to the Ranchers’ roster before the second half of the regular season begins. Rafa Hewett, like Collin Johns, can be claimed during Wednesday’s Challenger level waiver period.
The Ranchers’ updated lineup includes: Christian Alshon, Eric Oncins, Wyatt Stone, Etta Tuionetoa, Tina Pisnik, and Felicity Di Laura.
Orlando and New York Use Restricted List
The Orlando Squeeze (10-5, 28 points) and New York Hustlers (3-10, 8 points) both added new players due to visa issues with their current roster members.
Orlando placed Tom Evans on the Restricted List and brought in Grayson Goldin. New York did the same with Helena Spiridis, replacing her with Luana Stanciu.
The Restricted List is for situations that are beyond the control of both players and teams. In this case, both Tom Evans and Helena Spiridis—who are from Australia—were told by the United Pickleball Association not to travel back to the U.S. until their P1 visas are fully approved.
As a result, Orlando and New York are allowed to use Goldin and Stanciu as temporary players. Evans and Spiridis will remain on their teams’ rosters but won’t count as active players while on the Restricted List.
Once their visas are approved, Evans and Spiridis will return to active play, and Goldin and Stanciu will be released.
Orlando’s updated roster is: Federico Staksrud, Dylan Frazier, Tom Evans*, Grayson Goldin, Lacy Schneemann, Samantha Parker, and Alli Phillips.
New York’s new roster includes: Zane Ford, Donald Young, Stephen Madonia, Dominique Schaefer, Helena Jansen, Helena Spiridis*, and Luana Stanciu.
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What This Means Moving Forward
These roster changes could impact team performance as the second half of the Major League Pickleball season gets underway. The Carolina Hogs made the boldest move by dropping Collin Johns, showing they are ready for change despite their struggles.
Players like Collin Johns and Rafa Hewett may find new teams during Wednesday’s Challenger level waiver period. Meanwhile, teams like Orlando and New York will hope their players resolve visa issues soon to return to full strength.
News in Brief: Carolina Hogs Dropped Collin Johns
The Carolina Hogs dropped Collin Johns and signed Martin Emmrich in the biggest move of the MLP Bench Player Replacement Period. The Texas Ranchers added Wyatt Stone, while Orlando and New York temporarily replaced players due to visa delays. These changes aim to prepare teams for the season’s second half.
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