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MLP

MLP 2025 Trade Window #2 Tracker

by Erik Tice on

Major League Pickleball’s (MLP) Trade Window #2 opened shortly after the Premier Level and Challenger Level drafts concluded.

The official timing for Trade Window #2 is Tuesday, March 4th, and through Wednesday, July 16th, at 10pm ET.

This is going to be the place where The Dink keeps track of all the Trade Window #2 transactions, so bookmark this link to stay up-to-date on all transactions.

Speaking of transactions, if you're in the market for new shoes, use our employee discount code "thedink" on Midwest Racquet Sports to save on everything from paddles to shoes.

June 19th Update

Trade

  • New Jersey 5s (Premier) acquire Mari Humberg
  • D.C. Pickleball Team (Challenger) acquire Christa Gecheva and cash

New Rosters:

  • New Jersey 5s (Premier): Anna Leigh Waters, Meghan Dizon, Zane Navratil, Will Howells, Mari Humberg, and Craig Johnson
  • D.C. Pickleball Team (Challenger): Andrea Koop, Daniel De La Rosa, Christa Gecheva, and Stefan Auvergne

Analysis: This was the biggest trade thus far in the 2025 season. Humberg gives the 5s the unique ability as a team to change up matchups depending on the opponent. Dizon has been playing well recently, and I was told she is the starter moving forward.

This is also good for Gecheva, as she gets to play rigth away for D.C.

June 18th Update

Trade #1

  • NY Hustlers (Premier) acquire Helena Jansen and cash
  • Texas Ranchers (Premier) acquire Felicity Di Laura

New Rosters:

  • NY Hustlers (Premier): Zane Ford, Donald Young, Domi Schaefer, Helena Jansen, Stephen Madonia, Luana Stanciu, and (Restricted List) Helena Spiridis
  • Texas Ranchers (Premier): Christian Alshon, Etta Tuionetoa, Tina Pisnik, Eric Oncins, Felicity Di Laura, and Wyatt Stone

Analysis: So the Ranchers were the ones who had the Hustlers steal Di Laura for them. The Hustlers get a very capable starter in Jansen, who improves the team right away.

Trade #2

  • St. Louis Shock (Premier) acquire Judit Castillo
  • SoCal Hard Eights (Premier) acquire Cailyn Campbell

New Rosters:

  • St. Louis Shock (Premier): Anna Bright, Hayden Patriquin, Gabe Tardio, Kate Fahey, Erik Lange, and Judit Castillo
  • SoCal Hard Eights (Premier): Irina Tereschenko, Cailyn Campbell, Ryan Fu, Blaine Hovenier, John Lucian Goins, and Jalina Ingram

Analysis: The Shock now have the deepest bench in all of Premier Level, in my opinion. The Hard Eights are just making head scratching moves at this point, as they won't be able to keep either Ingra,, Campbell, or Goins at the end of the year.

June 18th Update

Challenger Level Waiver Claim #1

  • Florida Smatch (Challenger) claim Paula Rives Palau and waive Sarah Ansboury

New Roster:

  • Florida Smash (Premier): Travis Rettenmaier, Cason Campbell, Martina Frantova, Paula Rives Palau

Analysis: Originally, I believe Florida were after the newly signed Cailyn Campbell, but once she was taken, they went with Palau.

June 17th Update

Bench Replacement #1

  • Carolina Hogs (Premier) claim Martin Emmrich and drop Collin Johns

New Roster:

  • Carolina Hogs (Premier): Ben Johns, Kaitlyn Christian, Tammy Emmrich, Martin Emmrich, Roscoe Bellamy, and Liz Truluck

Analysis: The Hogs were done with Collin's attitude in MLP and dropped him for Martin Emmrich, who is known for being a good teammate and leader.

Bench Replacement #2

  • NY Hustlers (Premier) claim Luana Stanciu and place Helena Spiridis on the "Restricted List" until her visa issues are fixed

New Roster:

  • NY Hustlers (Premier): Zane Ford, Donald Young, Domi Schaefer, Felicity Di Laura, Stephen Madonia, Luana Stanciu, and (Restricted List) Helena Spiridis

Analysis: The Hustlers were able to add another potential sub in Stanciu while Spiridis (and Tom Evans) are in Australia, waiting for their visa issues to be resolved.

Bench Replacement #3

  • Orlando Squeze (Premier) claim Grayson Goldin and place Tom Evans on the "Restricted List" until his visa issues are fixed

New Roster:

  • Orlando Squeeze (Premier): Federico Staksrud, Dylan Frazier, Lacy Schneemann, Samantha Parker, Alli Phillips, Grayson Goldin, and (Restricted List) Tom evans

Analysis: The Squeeze were able to add another potential sub in Goldin while Evans and Spiridis are stuck in Australia, waiting for their visa issues to be resolved.

Bench Replacement #4

  • Texas Ranchers (Premier) claim Wyatt Stone and waive Rafa Hewett

New Roster:

  • Texas Ranchers (Premier): Christian Alshon, Etta Tuionetoa, Tina Pisnik, Eric Oncins, Helena Jansen, and Wyatt Stone

Analysis: The Ranchers got a local guy in Stone and waived Hewett, who did not have a good first Challenger Level event in Austin.

June 16th Update

Premier Level Waiver Claim #1

  • NY Hustlers (Premier) claim Felicity Di Laura (from St. Louis Shock) and drop Lingwei Kong
  • St. Louis Shock (Premier) pick up Cailyn Campbell

New Rosters:

  • NY Hustlers (Premier): Zane Ford, Donald Young, Domi Schaefer, Felicity Di Laura, Stephen Madonia, and Helena Spiridis
  • St. Louis Shock (Premier): Anna Bright, Hayden Patriquin, Gabe Tardio, Kate Fahey, Erik Lange, and Cailyn Campbell

Analysis: This was made as a steal for another team - more to come later.

Premier Level Waiver Claim #2

  • Carolina (Premier) claim Roscoe Bellamy (from SoCal Hard Eights) and waive Brandon French
  • SoCal Hard Eights (Premier) pick up John Lucian Goins

New Rosters:

  • Carolina Hogs (Premier): Ben Johns, Kaitlyn Christian, Tammy Emmrich, Collin Johns, Roscoe Bellamy, and Liz Truluck
  • SoCal Hard Eights (Premier): Irina Tereschenko, Judit Castillo, Ryan Fu, Blaine Hovenier, John Lucian Goins, and Jalina Ingram

Analysis: This was made as a steal for another team - more to come later.

June 10th Update

Trade

  • Texas Ranchers (Premier) acquire Rafa Hewett and cash considerations
  • California Black Bears (Challenger) acquire Michael Loyd

New Rosters:

  • Texas Ranchers (Premier): Christian Alshon, Etta Tuionetoa, Tina Pisnik, Eric Oncins, Helena Jansen, Rafa Hewett
  • California Black Bears (Challenger): Layne Sleeth, Lina Padigemaite, Juan Benitez, Michael Loyd

Analysis: I think Loyd was for sure going to be claimed on waivers if Texas had not traded him. Rather than get nothing for Loyd, Texas chose to get some cash and place him on a team that will start him right away in Challenger. Hewett is now traded to a Premier Level team, but I don't expect that to last long - be on the lookout for a trade or a bench player replacement here.

June 3rd Update

Trade

  • Atlanta Bouncers (Premier) acquire Vivienne David
  • Chicago Slice (Premier) acquire Vivian Glozman

New Rosters:

  • Atlanta Bouncers (Premier): Jaume Martinez Vich, Todd Fought, Vivienne David, Victoria DiMuzio, Rachel Rettger, Sam Querrey
  • Chicago Slice (Premier): James Ignatowich, Callie Smith, Vivian Glozman, Max Freeman, Pierina Imparato, Carlos Di Laura

Analysis: The Bouncers looked terrible in MLP Phoenix, and Glozman had a hard time. It was time for a change of scenery. The Chicago Slice women hadn't looked great up until this point, going 4-4 prior to MLP Daytona Beach. I think this is a good transaction for both teams.

May 13th Update

Bench Player Replacements

  • SoCal Hard Eights (Premier) acquire Jalina Ingram & drop Lauren Hidalgo Smith
  • Dallas Flash (Premier) acquire Ivan Jakovljevic & drop Wyatt Stone

New Rosters:

  • SoCal Hard Eights (Premier): Irina Tereschenko, Judit Castillo, Ryan Fu, Blaine Hovenier, Roscoe Bellamy, Jalina Ingram
  • Dallas Flash (Premier): JW Johnson, Jorja Johnson, Hurricane Tyra Black, Augie Ge, Tatiana Ruhl, Ivan Jakovljevic

Analysis: Ingram is a newly signed PPA player who has a ton of upside. I like the pickup. Jakovljevic was just dropped for Bellamy, but is a local Dallas area player and is a lefty - If Augie Ge can't go for whatever reason, Ivan can slide right in.

May 12th Update

Waiver Wire Transaction

  • SoCal Hard Eights (Premier) acquire Roscoe Bellamy from the Columbus Sliders & drop Ivan Jakovljevic
  • Columbus Sliders (Premier) acquire Ross Whittaker to replace Bellamy

New Rosters:

  • SoCal Hard Eights (Premier): Irina Tereschenko, Judit Castillo, Ryan Fu, Blaine Hovenier, Roscoe Bellamy, Lauren Hidalgo Smith
  • Columbus Sliders (Premier): Andrei Daescu, Parris Todd, Lea Jansen, CJ Klinger, Marcela Hones, Ross Whittaker

Analysis: SoCal picking up a man doesn't surprise me. However, I don't love that they picked up Roscoe Bellamy, who is a right sider. They already have Hovenier, who is a right side guy. I think Fu moves to be their sub when Roscoe is fully healthy, but I don't know who is going to play the left between Bellamy and Hovenier.

March 18th Update

Trade

  • Bay Area Breakers (Challenger) acquire Alix Truong
  • Utah Black Diamonds (Premier) acquire Allyce Jones

New Rosters:

  • Bay Area Breakers (Challenger): Alix Truong, Danna Funaro, Eric Roddy, DJ Young
  • Utah Black Diamonds (Premier): Connor Garnett, Tyler Loong, Allyce Jones, Mehvish Safdar, Genie Erokhina, and Yates Johnson

Analysis: Both Truong and Jones live in Utah. I think Truong has made some real progress this past year, emphasized by her semi-final run in the recent PPA Texas Open with Eric Oncins. This may be a situation where Connor Garnett and Alix haven't played together in several months and needed a new change of scenery. Allyce has been playing well recently, including some deep runs with Hurricane Tyra Black. This one feels about even for me, with maybe a slight edge going to Bay Area.

March 13th Update

Trade

  • Bay Area Breakers (Challenger) acquire DJ Young
  • Dallas Flash (Premier) acquire Wyatt Stone and cash considerations

New Rosters:

  • Bay Area Breakers (Challenger): Allyce Jones, Danna Funaro, Eric Roddy, DJ Young
  • Dallas Flash (Premier): JW Johnson, Jorja Johnson, Hurricane Tyra Black, Augie Ge, Tatiana Ruhl, and Wyatt Stone

Analysis: This was probably another agreed upon pre-draft/during draft trade by the Breakers. Dallas probably drafted DJ Young for Bay Area and then Bay Area drafted Wyatt for Dallas. This one doesn’t move the needle in either direction for me.

March 11th Update

Trade

  • Bay Area Breakers (Challenger) acquire Danna Funaro
  • NY Hustlers (Premier) acquire Lingwei Kong and cash considerations

New Rosters:

  • Bay Area Breakers (Challenger): Allyce Jones, Danna Funaro, Eric Roddy, Wyatt Stone
  • NY Hustlers (Premier): Zane Ford, Donald Young, Helena Spiridis, Dominique Schaefer, Stephen Madonia, and Lingwei Kong

Analysis: This was almost certainly one of two pre-arranged draft day trades for the New York Hustlers. Danna will get a good chance to play for Bay Area, while Lingwei is going to have to fight for playing time in Premier. 

Trade

  • California Black Bears (Challenger) acquire Juan Benitez
  • NY Hustlers (Premier) acquire Stephen Madonia and cash considerations

New Rosters:

  • California Black Bears (Challenger): Rafa Hewett, Lina Padegimaite, Layne Sleeth, and Juan Benitez
  • NY Hustlers (Premier): Zane Ford, Donald Young, Helena Spiridis, Dominique Schaefer, Stephen Madonia, and Lingwei Kong

Analysis: This was almost certainly one of two pre-arranged draft day trades for the New York Hustlers. Juan recently signed with UPA and will get to play at the Challenger Level, while Stephen is going to sit the bench for the foreseeable future with NY.

March 5th Update

Trade

  • Miami Pickleball Club (Premier) acquires Noe Khlif and cash considerations
  • Texas Ranchers (Premier) acquires Eric Oncins

New Rosters:

  • Miami Pickleball Club (Premier): Noe Khlif, Jay Devilliers, Milan Rane, Mya Bui, Ava Ignatowich, and Yuta Funemizu
  • Texas Ranchers (Premier): Christian Alshon, Etta Tuionetoa, Tina Pisnik, Eric Oncins, Michael Loyd, and Helena Jansen

Analysis: This was a trade of two former Miami Pickleball Club teammates, Oncins and Khlif. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was a draft day deal between the two clubs. Both players have a ton of upside, we will see in the results, which team made a better trade deal.

Trade

  • Phoenix Flames (Premier) acquire Genie Bouchard and cash considerations
  • New Jersey 5s (Premier) acquire Meghan Dizon

New Rosters:

  • Phoenix Flames (Premier): Tyson McGuffin, Jack Sock, Genie Bouchard, Jessie Irvine, Alex Walker, and Pesa Teoni
  • New Jersey 5s (Premier): Anna Leigh Waters, Meghan Dizon, Zane Navratil, Will Howells, Christa Gecheva, and Craig Johnson

Analysis: This was definitely a draft day trade, meaning Phoenix told New Jersey that they wanted Genie, and New Jersey drafted Genie for anything at $100k or less. If New Jersey didn’t like any of the available women enough to play alongside Anna Leigh, then this trade makes sense for them as well. Genie does not make Phoenix better.

Injured Reserve

  • Los Angeles Mad Drops (Premier) place Thomas Wilson on IR (out for season) and add Wes Burrows

New Roster:

  • Los Angeles Mad Drops (Premier): Catherine Parenteau, Quang Duong, Jade Kawamoto, Hunter Johnson, Angie Walker, Wes Burrows, and Thomas Wilson (IR)

Analysis: This was bound to happen, and Burrows is a local SoCal guy who can activate in the community - good move all around.

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Erik Tice

Erik Tice

Erik produces content for The Dink related to pro and collegiate pickleball. He is an avid watcher of pickleball and became passionate about the sport in early 2022.

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