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**truebluefan** · 10-28-2007, 06:04 PM

2008 Major League Lacrosse All-Star Game to be Played in Denver

Boston, Mass. (October 24, 2007) - Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premier professional outdoor lacrosse league, announced today that the 2008 Major League Lacrosse All-Star Game will take place on Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 8:00 PM MDT at Denver's INVESCO Field at Mile High, according to MLL Commissioner David Gross.

The game, which will be broadcast live on ESPN2, will once again feature the popular Bud Light Skills Competition during halftime. Tickets to the event are on sale now and begin at just $10 for general admission. Individual tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster by calling 303-830-TIXS (8497), 719-520-9090, or online at Official Ticketmaster site. Tickets for Concerts, Sports, Arts, Theater, Family, Events, more. Group tickets are available by phone by calling 303-Outlaws, and online at denveroutlaws.com: Home.

INVESCO Field is home to the MLL's Denver Outlaws. Since joining the league in 2006, the Outlaws have made it to the post-season each year. Off the field, Denver has enjoyed some of the best attendance figures in the League. The Denver Outlaws inaugural game at INVESCO Field set what at the time was a league record with 13,167 fans in attendance, a record which was broken later that season at another Denver home game. In 2007, the Denver Outlaws set a professional lacrosse attendance record when 19,793 fans attended their match against the Chicago Machine on July 4th.

"Denver was a natural choice for All-Star this year," said Gross. "The crowds for their regular season match-ups have been amazing and each game has had a tremendous energy. We're looking forward to this being a remarkable event."

The All-Star game has been held in Boston the past two seasons. The 2007 All-Star game featured an East versus West format for the first time in league history. Denver was also the site of the 2005 MLL All-Star Game prior to the arrival of the Outlaws.

"This is a great opportunity for our organization and the Outlaws are thrilled to be hosting the 2008 All-Star Game at INVESCO Field," said Mac Freeman, Vice President of Edge Sports and Entertainment, which oversees business operations for the Outlaws. "This is also a great reward for our loyal fans, who have really shown their love and enthusiasm for the game of lacrosse over the past two seasons."

Halftime's popular Bud Light Skills Competition will again be featured as part of the ESPN2 broadcast. The Bud Light Skills Competition is comprised of the Fastest Shot, Most Accurate, and Free Style Events.

In 2007, Denver's Brian Langtry won the Fastest Shot Competition with a recorded shot speed of 104 miles per hour. A record shot speed of 109 miles per hour was set by former Boston Cannon Dave Evans at the 2004 All-Star Game. The 2007 Accuracy Contest was won by the Los Angeles Riptide's Spencer Ford, and Mike Powell of the Boston Cannons walked away with the Freestyle Competition title for the second consecutive year.

Last year, Boston midfielder Matt Poskay scored four goals for the Eastern Conference, including a two-pointer, on his way to earning Bud Light MVP honors in front of his home town fans. The Eastern Conference defeated their Western Conference counterparts by a final score of 19-12.

**truebluefan** · 10-30-2007, 05:51 PM

Denver-October 19, 2007 - The Denver Outlaws of Major League Lacrosse announced their 23 man off-season roster. After each season, each MLL team must submit 23 players who they wish to protect for the upcoming season. All remaining unprotected players will be released to the player pool and are eligible to be picked up by any team during the supplemental draft this spring.

Two notable names missing from the Outlaws roster are Goalie Trevor Tierney and Defenseman Trey Whitty. Both players have retired since the end of the 2007 season. Whitty was picked up during the 2007 season and was a contributing factor in the Outlaws second run for a championship.

Trevor Tierney has been on guard for the Outlaws since the franchise's inaugural game. Responding to the effect Tierney's retirement will have on the Outlaws, GM Brian Reese commented, "We're losing a great player in Trevor Tierney to retirement but we still have some great players returning. We are very pleased to bring back the core of Outlaws team. I know these players are focused on improving and bringing a Championship to Denver."

Reese remarked that despite some changes in the roster, the Outlaws look forward to 2008 with the return of seasoned veterans as well as new additions to help the team take the next step, "We'll bring in some additional players through the supplemental draft that will compete with these players for roster spots and ultimately work to always put the best combination on the field."

Denver Outlaws 2007 Off Season 23 Man Roster:

Greg Bastis, Midfield

Lou Braun, Midfield/FO

Matt Brown, Attack

Nick Carlson, Attack

Casey Cittadino, Midfield

Benson Erwin, Midfield

Tom Ethington, Defense

Tom Garvey, Defense

Matt Hanna, Attack/Midfield

Zach Jungers, Defense

Brian Langtry, Midfield

Mike Law, Midfield

Sean McCarthy, Defense

Brendan Mundorf, Attack

Jesse Schwartzman, Goalie

Josh Sims, Midfield

Alex Smith, Goalie

Geoff Snider, Midfield/FO

Jeff Sonke, Midfield

Scott Sowanick, Midfield

Cory Vann, Defense

Drew Westervelt, Attack

Lee Zink, Defense

For more information please visit the Denver Outlaws website at denveroutlaws.com: Home or call (303)-OUTLAWS.

**truebluefan** · 11-09-2007, 03:14 PM

BOSTON, MA - Friday, November 2, 2007 - The Boston Cannons of Major League Lacrosse (MLL) have named Mark Kastrud as Vice President and General Manager, Cannons Founding Owner Matthew Dwyer announced today.

Kastrud, 35, will oversee all of the business operations of the team, including sales, marketing, sponsorships and communications. Cannons Head Coach Bill Daye and his coaching staff remain responsible for all player personnel decisions such as trades, roster management and MLL drafts.

"Mark has been a vital and dedicated contributor to the Boston Cannons' and the MLL's success since 2002," said Dwyer. "His familiarity with all of our sponsorship partners, employees, other MLL staffs, and so many of our fans is a terrific foundation for his new responsibilities in guiding the Cannons' continued growth."

Prior to joining the Cannons as Vice President and General Manager, Kastrud spent the previous three years (2004-2007) in the MLL front office as the Corporate Sponsorship Manager, where he managed relationships with the MLL sponsors including Bud Light, New Balance, Warrior, Brine, Cascade, Under Armour and Gatorade, among others, as well as the Cannons' local sponsors. In 2006, he played a key role in partnering with Bud Light to broadcast the 2006 MLL Semifinal games live on BudLight.com, which marked Anheuser-Busch's first-ever live web broadcast of a professional sporting event, and he also launched the MLL-branded Visa credit card program with First National Bank of Omaha.

As his proudest accomplishment during his MLL front office tenure, Kastrud cites the development of the annual MLL All-Star Game fundraising auction. Working with MLL partners Cascade and New Balance, the auctions serve to mobilize the lacrosse community around supporting important causes. During the 2006 MLL All-Star Game, all members of the MLL All-Star Team wore custom hot pink Cascade CPX helmets in support of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The MLL then donated the helmet auction proceeds to breast cancer research. The 2007 MLL All-Star Game featured the MLL Eastern Conference Team in green camouflage uniforms and the Western Conference Team in brown camouflage uniforms, courtesy of New Balance. The ensuing jersey auction raised $50,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization dedicated to bringing comfort and support to wounded servicemen and women and their families.

Before taking on his responsibilities with the MLL front office, Kastrud spent two years (2002-2004) as the Director of Sponsorship Sales with the Cannons where he was responsible for all aspects of Cannons corporate sponsorships. He managed local sponsorship deals with Supercuts, Toyota, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Pepsi, Qdoba, Roche Bros. and Dick's Sporting Goods, among others.

A native of Clinton, New Jersey, Kastrud played four years as a midfielder on the varsity lacrosse team at Trinity College, while pursuing his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He served as the team's captain as a Senior in 1994.

Kastrud continues his involvement in the lacrosse community as a U9 coach for Marshfield Youth Lacrosse.

Season tickets to see the Cannons this summer at Harvard Stadium are on sale now with packages starting at $130 if ordered by December 15, 2007. Cannons Season Ticket Packages include all three MLL playoff games as NB ZIP MLL Championship Weekend returns to Boston in 2008. Holiday packages are also available. Cannons Season Tickets include six nights of outstanding sports and entertainment perfect for families, businesses and groups of friends. For more information, visit BOSTONCANNONS.COM or call (888) 847-9700.

**truebluefan** · 11-14-2007, 08:16 PM

CHICAGO - The Chicago Machine announced today that Lelan Rogers will step down as head lacrosse coach but remain with the team in an advisory capacity. Rogers recently accepted a full-time assistant coaching position at Syracuse University in addition to his current duties as Director of Lacrosse Operations.

"We wish Lelan the best at Syracuse and we certainly understand that it's an opportunity he couldn't pass up," said John Meister, President and General Manager of the Machine. "We are sorry to lose Lelan as our head coach but are pleased to have him remain a part of our staff, where he will continue to work with me as we move forward both as a team and as a professional sports enterprise."

Rogers, who was named head coach of the Machine for the 2007 season, helped Chicago rebound from a winless inaugural 2006 campaign by posting a 3-9 record.

"We were thrilled with the strides we took under Lelan," said Chicago part-owner David Connelly. "Last year we were three one-goal games from being .500. He put us on a track that we feel very good about."

Rogers also viewed Chicago's 2007 campaign as a success.

"As a whole, I think the organization moved forward by leaps and bounds," he said. "In any situation, you want to leave in a better position than when you arrived. I don't think there's any question we did that. We were playing very well at the end of last season and we felt that if we could have extended the season another few games, we would have been in the thick of things."

The Machine plans to call upon Rogers's expertise for future team dealings, including the upcoming Major League Lacrosse supplemental and collegiate drafts.

"I want to stay as involved with the team as much as possible," said Rogers. "We made significant strides and I want to see that success continue. It's only going to get better."

Meister also said that he hoped to have an announcement of Rogers replacement soon after the Thanksgiving holiday.

**truebluefan** · 12-01-2007, 04:53 PM

Chicago Machine midfielder Doug Shanahan and attackman Sean Morris have been named to the 2008 USA World Lacrosse team.

This is the third selection for Shanahan, who played on the 2002 USA team that won the International Lacrosse Federation World Championship. Shanahan was named the MVP of the ILF tournament and then was selected again in 2006. Shanahan was the first pick of the Machine in the 2006 MLL Expansion Draft, and is a two-time MLL all-star. Shanahan is also assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at the University of Illinois.

This January Team USA will be taking on Duke University in an exhibition match at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. Shanahan said he's looking forward to competing against a talented collegiate squad.

"I am very excited to be putting on the Team USA jersey again," said Shanahan. "I look forward to competing against the top college kids in the country."

This is the first selection for Morris. The second-year pro was a college standout at University of Massachusetts, where he was a Tewaarton Trophy finalist in 2005 and 2006. He was the first-round pick of the Machine in the 2006 MLL Collegiate Draft and has cemented his status as one of the best offensive players in Major League Lacrosse where he finished fourth in assists and 15th in overall scoring.

**truebluefan** · 12-04-2007, 07:54 PM

Boston, Mass. (December 4, 2007) - Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premier professional outdoor lacrosse league, and Gear-Up Sports Worldwide announced today that they have agreed upon a two-year extension according to MLL Commissioner David Gross.

Gear-Up Sports first joined the league as an Official Partner and Equipment Supplier in February of 2007. The company's Glide SS high-performance athletic sock was first used by Major League Lacrosse teams this past season.

"The Glide SS is an innovative product and we strive to provide our players with the best available equipment," said Gross. "Gear-Up Sports is on the cutting-edge of performance athletic apparel development and we are pleased to continue this partnership."

This agreement extends Gear-Up's position as an Official Supplier of Major League Lacrosse and its ten teams, and the designation of the Glide SS as the Official Socks of Major League Lacrosse and its ten teams through the 2009 season. Major League Lacrosse will receive cash as part of the deal and each team will once again receive Glide SS socks customized with their team logo.

"We are thrilled to continue our relationship with Major League Lacrosse under the leadership of Commissioner Gross. Lacrosse is one of the fastest growing sports worldwide and we believe our partnership will enable even greater opportunities for retailers, consumers and the sport," said Matt Stucke, President, Gear-Up Sports Worldwide.

Gear-Up Sports will also emphasize its MLL partnership in their advertising and through the production and sale of MLL branded apparel, which will be available at MLL games, online through authorized dealers, and through The Sports Authority and Modell's stores nationwide.

**truebluefan** · 12-07-2007, 05:40 PM

Denver-December 5, 2007 - The Denver Outlaws of Major League Lacrosse selected seven players in the 2007 Major League Lacrosse Supplemental Draft today. The seven selected will be added to the current 23 man roster. Five additional players will be selected before training camp to round out the total 35 man roster.

With the 7th pick in each of the seven rounds, the Outlaws opted to spread out their picks on position players, choosing two middies, two attackmen and one goalie, face-off and defenseman. Brian Jacovina, a midfielder from UMASS who was left unprotected from the Boston Cannons, was selected in the first round and 7th overall. Denver University standout and Littleton, CO native Ryan Zordani was selected in the 6th round.

Outlaws General Manager Brian Reese commented, "We are very happy with the results of this year's supplemental draft. All of these players could make an impact on this year's team. I expect a very competitive training camp that will only make us better and help us become the best team we can be."

2007 DENVER OUTLAWS SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFT PICKS

Round 1 - Brian Jacovina (7th Overall)

Position: Midfield

College: University of Massachusetts (2007)

Stats: 5'8" 170lbs

Hometown: Hicksville, NY

Summary: A four-year varsity athlete, a two-year starter and senior co-captain, Jacovina was selected as a 2007 Preseason Third Team All-American by Inside Lacrosse/Face-off Yearbook, was a three-time First Team All-New England honoree, a 2007 USILA Scholar All-American, a 2007 New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association Scholar Athlete and an UMass Spring Scholar Athlete. As a senior, Jacovina led the Minutemen and was fourth in the ECAC in assists with 18, had seven games with multiple points and scored a point in 36 of 46 games dating to 2005. Career-wise, he finished with 30 goals, 54 assists, 84 points and 94 ground balls, with 26 multi-point games.

Round 2 - Michael Graham (17th Overall)

Position: Defense

College: Loyola College (2007)

Stats: 6'3" 210lbs

Hometown: Oreland, PA

Summary: Graham was a four year starter at Loyola College, and drew the assignment to match up against the opposing team's best player. In his senior season of 2007, Graham started all 13 games while collecting 16 ground balls and causing 14 turn overs. Graham was originally selected in the 4th round (40th overall) in the 2007 MLL Collegiate Draft by the Philadelphia Barrage.

Round 3 - Kyle Dowd (27th Overall)

Position: Midfield

College: Duke University (2006)

Stats: 5'9 175lbs

Hometown: Northport, NY

Summary: Selected in the 3rd round of the 2006 MLL draft by San Francisco, Dowd appeared in 9 regular season games recording 4 goals and 4 assists. He registered his first MLL goal on 6/24 @ Denver in a 20-19 victory. His overtime game winning goal on 8/12 vs Chicago propelled San Francisco into the New Balance Championship Weekend. Dowd had a big game in the semi-final loss to Denver at the 2006 New Balance Championship Weekend recording 3 points (1 goal which was a 2-pointer and an assist).

Round 4 - Bobby Griebe (37th Overall)

Position: Attack

College: Towson University (2007)

Stats: 6'0" 180lbs

Hometown: Bel Air, MD

Summary: A starting attackman at Towson in 2007, Griebe led his team in assists (23) and points (47) and was second on his teams in goals with 24.

Round 5 - Adam Fassnacht (47th Overall)

Position: Midfield/ Face-off

College: University of Virginia (2007)

Stats: 5'10" 215lbs

Hometown: Burke, VA

Summary: 2007 stats at UVA: 144-265, .543 on Face-offs; Also contributed 2 assists on the season. Started all 16 games for the Cavaliers

Round 6 -Ryan Zordani (57th Overall)

Position: Attack

College: University of Denver (2007)

Stats: 6'0 210lbs

Hometown: Littleton, CO

Summary: Zordani played 60 games at DU, amassing 98 points to rank third on the school's all-time scoring list. He was the 57th player selected in the National Lacrosse League draft by the Boston Blazers.

Round 7 - Harry Alford (67th Overall)

Position: Goalie

College: University of Maryland (2007)

Stats: 5'11" 205lbs

Hometown: Bethesda, MD

Summary: Originally a 5th round draft pick by the Chicago in 2007, Alford appeared in 5 games for the Machine last season.

2008 Denver Outlaws season tickets are now on sale, starting at $112 for the entire season at INVESCO Field at Mile High which includes the MLL All Star Game on July 17. For more information please visit the Denver Outlaws website at denveroutlaws.com: Home or call (303)-OUTLAWS.

**truebluefan** · 12-07-2007, 05:41 PM

Boston, Mass. (December 6, 2007) - Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premier professional outdoor lacrosse league, announced the results of the 2008 Supplemental Draft which was held on Wednesday, December 5th at 1:00 PM ET. The draft, which consisted of seven rounds, lasted until approximately 2:00 PM ET.

The San Francisco Dragons and Washington Bayhawks held the most picks, with nine (9) selections each.

Defenseman Robert Smith, a 2007 graduate of the University of Delaware, was the selected by the Chicago Machine with the first overall pick. In 2007, Smith collected 52 groundballs in his final season with the Fightin' Blue Hens. Michael Howley, a 2003 graduate of Maryland, was selected by the San Francisco Dragons with the second pick. Howley, a veteran MLL defenseman, has spent time with the Baltimore Bayhawks, Rochester Rattlers, and Long Island Lizards. Defenseman John Glatzel, who spent three seasons in Rochester and one in Boston, was selected by the New Jersey Pride with the third overall pick.

Rounding out the top five, the Washington Bayhawks had back-to-back selections with the fourth and fifth picks. With the fourth pick, the Bayhawks selected 2007 Towson graduate Matt Eckerl. Despite missing several games his senior season due to injury, Eckerl was 105 of 220 on face-offs in 2007, and is the Tigers' current career leader in ground balls with 307. With the fifth pick, Washington selected MLL veteran Billy Glading. Glading, an excellent two-way midfielder, played in 2005 and 2006 with the Boston Cannons.

Other MLL players of note selected were defensemen Damien Davis, Trey Whitty, and Jamie Hanford. Davis, a 2003 Princeton graduate, began his MLL career with the Long Island Lizards. Davis also played a season with the Philadelphia Barrage before spending the past two seasons in Chicago. Davis was selected in the first round of the Supplemental Draft by the New Jersey Pride, with the tenth pick.

Whitty, a 2003 University of Virginia graduate played in all twelve regular season games and collected 22 groundballs for the San Francisco Dragons in 2006 before being traded to Denver in 2007. He was selected in the fifth round by the Washington Bayhawks with the forty-fourth pick. Hanford, taken by the Long Island Lizards in the sixth round with the fifty-fifth pick, has been in the league since 2001. Hanford, who began his MLL career with the Bridgeport Barrage, has also played in Baltimore, New Jersey, and Boston.

In addition to those veterans, several promising young players were chosen as well, such as attackman Derek Cherney, an All-American player out of Division III Amherst College and the 2007 NESCAC Player of the Year, taken fourteenth by Washington; defenseman Michael Graham, who was a four year starter at Loyola and was drafted by Philadelphia in the 2007 Collegiate Draft, chosen seventeenth by Denver; and goaltender Harry Alford of the University of Maryland, also selected by Denver with the sixty-seventh pick. One of the nation's top college goaltenders, Alford missed most of his senior season due to injury. Selected by the Chicago Machine in the 2007 Collegiate Draft, he played one complete game and made appearances in four others.

Those teams whose rosters were less than thirty (30) players at the conclusion of the Supplemental Draft were then eligible to select additional players to bring their rosters up to thirty. The Chicago Machine made one additional selection, and the Boston Cannons and Long Island Lizards each added an additional two players.

Beginning on Thursday, December 6th at 12:00 PM ET, teams may claim players from the remaining Player Pool to bring their Pre-Season Active Roster count to thirty-five (35) players.

Training Camp for MLL teams begins on April 26th. The 2008 MLL season is set to begin on Saturday, May 17th.

**truebluefan** · 12-07-2007, 05:41 PM

CARSON, CALIFORNIA (Dec. 7, 2007) - The Los Angeles Riptide of Major League Lacrosse (MLL) announced today they have acquired midfielder Kyle Harrison and defenseman Brett Hughes from the New Jersey Pride in exchange for a pair of first round picks in the 2008 Major League Lacrosse College Draft.

"I could not be happier that two such quality young men become a part of our organization," said Los Angeles Riptide Head Coach John Tucker. "We view them both as top five players at their respective positions, and they will have an immediate impact on our team."

Harrison entered the league in 2005 after being selected as the first overall pick in the 2005 MLL Collegiate Draft. He set the tone early as he scored twice in his first professional game (against vs. Philadelphia) and became just the second rookie in league history to be named to an All-Star team. He finished the year with nine goals and six assists.

In 2006 Harrison was named to the US World Team and finished second in the league amongst midfielders with 17 assists. Overall, he scored eight goals for a total of 25 points.

The 2007 season was Harrison's best as he scored a career-high 27 points and his 19 goals more than doubled his career mark. He was again picked for the MLL All-Star game and in a testament to his popularity the camouflage jersey he wore in the game was auctioned off for over $600. The proceeds went to the Wounded Warrior Project. Harrison has already been selected to participate in the 2008 Champions Challenge Weekend as part of the U.S. team.

As a collegian Harrison led Johns Hopkins to its first NCAA title in 18 years as a senior in 2005. He received the Tewaaraton Trophy and the USILA's Enners Award as the nation's top player in 2005. He was a three-time All-American, earning first team honors twice.

"Though I will miss my teammates and the fan's in New Jersey, I'm extremely excited about the opportunity to get out to L.A. and play for such a successful franchise in such a new lacrosse market," said Harrison. "From the ownership, to the management, to the players, everything is done first class. The chemistry on this team is second to none, and I can't wait to be a part of it. I want to thank the New Jersey Pride organization for everything they have done for me, and I wish them the best of luck in the future."

Hughes finished his third season in the league and it was arguably his best. Though not selected to the All-Star team, he certainly had All-Star games in the regular season. Some highlights include shut-downs of offensive standouts like Mikey Powell of Boston and John Grant, Jr. of Rochester. He held Powell to just a man-up assist and a crease-dive goal which may never be equaled. His most dominant performance came against Grant as he held the league MVP to no goals, ending Grant's MLL-record 48-game scoring streak. It led New Jersey to a 13-12 win and also snapped the longest winning streak in the league in 2007 (eight games). The performance versus Grant earned him the MLL Defensive Player of the Week award.

Hughes played in 23 games in 2005 and 2006 and finished with 42 ground balls and two assists. He earned one MLL Defensive Player of the Week award in 2006.

Hughes started every game in four years at the University of Virginia. He earned All-America status as a junior and while injuries could not keep him out of the lineup as a senior, it did keep him from being named an All-American for a second straight time.

"There are not many defensemen in the game with the kind of size, range and shut down ability that Brett offers," said Los Angeles Riptide Defensive Coordinator Shawn Trell. "He fits our style terrifically."

"While I am sorry to leave my friends and teammates in New Jersey, I am excited to begin a new chapter in my life - moving to Los Angeles, taking a new job, and joining the Riptide," said Hughes. "I am looking forward to playing with Greg (Bice), Mitch (Belisle) and D.J. (Driscoll), and having a great goalie like Mickey (Jarboe) right there behind us."

The first rounds picks received by New Jersey are the second and ninth overall in the 2008 Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft.

The L.A. Riptide Holiday Pack is a great gift idea for you and your guest. Come experience Major League Lacrosse at a great savings! Starting at just $30 the pack includes: 2 tickets to the 2008 Riptide home opener (date TBA), 2 cheeseburgers, 2 sodas and an authentic Riptide hat. Upgrade your package to Reserved or Center Sideline and receive a free autographed player card! Check out Welcome to AEG Tickets for more information.

Come see the 2007 Western Conference Champion L.A. Riptide for six action packed home games. Individual tickets along with the 2008 schedule to see the Riptide next summer at Home Depot Center are yet to be determined, but season tickets are now on sale. For more information, call Scott Sawyer at 213-763-2683 or visit Los Angeles Riptide.

**truebluefan** · 12-07-2007, 05:42 PM

Clifton, NJ - The New Jersey Pride, New Jersey's only professional lacrosse franchise, and a founding member of Major League Lacrosse (MLL), today announced a trade with the Los Angeles Riptide that sends Midfielder Kyle Harrison and Defenseman Brett Hughes to LA in exchange for two 2008 1st Round Collegiate Draft Selections, #2, and #9 overall. The trade gives the Pride five of the first twelve selections in this year's Collegiate Draft.

"Kyle and Brett have meant a great deal to this organization and it is very difficult to have to part with them," said Pride General Manager Trey Reeder. "While we are losing two significant pieces of our team we feel that the potential in this draft will give us a great opportunity to compete immediately for an MLL title in 2008."

With the trade the Pride gain an inside track on one of the deepest collegiate drafts in league history. Already the likes of Matt Danowski, Paul Rabil, Ben Rubeor, Stephen Peyser, Dan Cocoziello, Tony McDevitt and Alex Hewitt have the league brass excited about the immediate future of Major League Lacrosse. With four selections in the first round (#2, #3, #9, and #10) and two additional selections in the second round (#12 and #20) the Pride will have an opportunity to add some instant impact to an already talented returning nucleus.

"We have been spending the last year-and-a-half anticipating the talent in this draft," said Reeder. "With the moves we made during last year's draft, in addition to this trade, we feel we are in a position to build this franchise for several years of success."

The trade was prompted with Harrison and Hughes moving to Los Angeles-area in the coming months. "As much as we wanted to keep Kyle and Brett playing in New Jersey, we felt it was in the best interest of both the players and the league to pursue opportunities for them out west," added Reeder. "We were fortunate that Los Angeles was able to work with us to make this a reasonable trade for both franchises."

Harrison was the first overall selection in the 2005 Collegiate Draft. The 2005 Tewaaraton Award winner dazzled fans throughout the league with his speed and change of direction. In three seasons with the Pride he amassed 67 points on 36 goals and 29 assists. As a duel threat, Harrison also managed a solid faceoff percentage, winning 25 of 53 attempts. He finished the 2006 season second among Midfielders with 17 assists.

He appeared in three All-Star games during his time in New Jersey, once as a member of the US National Team, once representing the "Young Guns" of Major League Lacrosse, and once representing the Eastern Conference. "I am grateful for my time in New Jersey and the support that I received from the fans and the organization," said Harrison.

Hughes was the first overall selection in the 2005 Supplemental Draft. Battling through injuries in his senior season at Virginia, he opted to sit out the 2004 season, which would have been his rookie campaign in the league.

"I appreciate everything that the Pride organization has done for me over the past three years," said Hughes. "Moving to Los Angeles was a personal commitment that I had to make and I am very appreciative that this trade was completed to allow me to continue to play in the league."

Hughes has quietly emerged as one of league's elite shut-down defensemen, twice earning MLL Defensive Player of the Week honors. Last season he held the league's leading scorer, John Grant, Jr., to his first career scoreless game.

The Pride still expect to return the bulk of their talent from the 2007 season and expect some veteran additions to the team to help push the team toward their first playoff appearance since 2003. "This trade, while it will affect us initially, should make us a much stronger franchise in the long term, and that is exciting," said Reeder.

Tickets for the 2008 season are now on sale and can be purchased by calling the Pride offices at 973-614-1792.

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