Minnesota Swarm Selects Four Players in Dispersal Draft
SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The National Lacrosse League's (NLL) Minnesota Swarm selected four players in tonight's Dispersal Draft of players from the Arizona and Boston franchises. The Swarm selected forward Andy Secore with the fifth overall pick, goalie Ryan Avery with the eighth overall pick, defenseman Mike Grimes with the 17th pick and forward Mark Tinning with the 32nd pick in the draft. Minnesota acquired the fifth overall pick in the Dispersal Draft from the Edmonton Rush in exchange for goalie Matt Disher.
Secore, 23 (4/28/84), collected 22 points (10-12=22) in 14 games with Arizona in 2007. The 5-foot-11, 210-pound forward added six points in three playoff games as the Sting advanced to the championship game. The Hamilton, Ontario native has recorded 25 points (10-15=25) in 17 career games with Arizona.
Avery, 25 (6/27/82), was 4-0 with a 10.64 goals against average (GAA) and a .782 save percentage in 10 games with Calgary in 2007. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound netminder added five assists and 10 loose balls during the regular season and appeared in one playoff game with the Roughnecks. The Hamilton, Ontario-native appeared in two games with Calgary in 2006 and six games with Buffalo in 2005.
Grimes, 21 (3/15/86), recorded four points (1-3=4), 13 penalty minutes and 38 loose balls in 11 games with Arizona during his first season in the NLL in 2007. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound defenseman is a native of Peterborough, Ontario.
Tinning, 24 (5/23/83), appeared in two games with Arizona in 2007 and notched three loose balls and six penalty minutes. The 6-foot-1, 188-pound native of Kitchener, Ontario also appeared in one game with the Sting in 2005 and recorded four points (2-2=4).
On October 16, the league cancelled its 2008 season when a deadline to reach a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with its player's association was not met. When a new seven-year Collective Bargaining Agreement was reached with the player's association on October 24, efforts began to create a new schedule for the 2008 season. The original schedule had been lost with the October 16 cancellation. Due to the unique business issues arising out of the cancellation of the original 2008 season schedule, Arizona and Boston were provided the option of electing inactive status for the 2008 season. The clubs were provided the option to re-enter in 2009 season by participating in the expansion draft or to receive back their rostered players from 2008. Arizona has chosen to re-claim their dispersed players for the 2009 season, while Boston has chosen not to re-claim their players following this season, and will build their 2009 roster as an expansion team.
Minnesota opens its fourth NLL campaign at Toronto on Friday, Jan. 11 and then hosts the Rock on Saturday, Jan. 12 at 7:00 p.m. at Xcel Energy Center in the home opener. Swarm lower level season ticket packages are on sale now and start at $80. Certain seating locations include buy two season tickets and get two complimentary plus free parking. Lower level 4-game plans start at $44. Single game tickets will go on sale in early December. Call 888-MNSWARM or info@mnswarm.com for more information.
Former Arizona Sting Captain Signs With Toronto Rock
TORONTO - One of the NLL's top free agents and former Arizona Sting Captain, Peter Lough, has signed with the Toronto Rock this week.
The Rock have signed Lough (pronounced "Lock") an NLL six year veteran who qualified for unrestricted free agency following the 2007 season to a two year deal. Terms of the deal were not disclosed due to club policy.
Lough, 32, has played with the Arizona Sting since 2004 and is ninth on the All-time Face Off wins with 656 in his career. Playing in all 16 regular season games last season, Lough tallied 8 assists, 157 face off wins and 188 loose balls.
The three-time NLL All-Star (2005, 2006, 2007) Toronto native earned NLL Defensive Player of the week honours last season when he won an impressive 17 of 22 face offs, led the Sting defence and held the Chicago Shamrox to seven goals on March 2nd 2007.
Director of Lacrosse Operations for the Toronto Rock, Mike Kloepfer says Peter Lough makes the Toronto Rock a better team. "He is one of the top defensive players and draw men in our league. The addition of Peter adds another great leader to our dressing room."
Finishing third in the West division, Lough led the Sting and guided the defence all the way to the NLL Championship on May 12th 2007 where they were defeated by the Rochester Knighthawks in a close game 13-11.
The defensive leader will join the Rock roster during the upcoming scheduled training camp in mid November. Details regarding Rock training camp to be released at a later date.
DENVER - The Colorado Mammoth selected defenseman Bruce Murray, former University of Denver standout Matt Brown and forward Jed Prossner in the National Lacrosse League dispersal draft on Monday night.
The draft distributed players from the Arizona and Boston franchises - who will not be playing in the 2008 season - among the league's remaining 12 teams. All players on both clubs were available in the draft except for Arizona forward Curt Malawsky, and defensemen Brian Beisel and Peter Lough, all of whom had already qualified as unrestricted free agents.
The Portland LumberJax used the first draft choice to pick Arizona forward Dan Dawson. The New York Titans used the second selection on Boston defenseman Patrick Merrill.
The Mammoth used its first selection, the 11th overall, on Murray, a 6-foot-1, 260-pound veteran of six NLL seasons. Murray collected 13 points, 49 penalty minutes and 141 loose balls during his two seasons in Arizona.
Brown, chosen by the Mammoth at No. 14, played the last two seasons in Arizona after racking up 137 points in 56 collegiate games for the Denver Pioneers. The 6-foot, 200-pound native of Burnaby, British Columbia, tallied 10 goals and four assists for the Sting last season before registering three goals and five assists in three playoff games.
"We're excited about Matt's return to Colorado," Mammoth general manager Steve Govett said. "He is a big, athletic guy with a big shot and adds another scoring threat to our roster."
The Mammoth used its final choice, the 35th overall, on Prossner, a native of Easton, Md. He played collegiately at North Carolina, where he was a finalist for the Tewaaraton Trophy, the pre-eminent award honoring the top male player in the United States. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound forward was taken by Boston in the expansion draft scoring six goals in nine games with the LumberJax.
Dispersal draft results
First round
1. Portland - Dan Dawson (F)
2. New York - Patrick Merrill (D)
3. Philadelphia - Rob Blasdell (G)
4. Chicago - Scott Self (D)
5. Minnesota (from Edmonton)* - Andy Secore (F)
6. Chicago (from Toronto)** - Lindsay Plunkett (F)
7. San Jose - Peter Veltman (F)
8. Minnesota - Ryan Avery (G)
9. Calgary - Pat Campbell (G)
10. Buffalo - Craig Conn (F)
11. Colorado - Bruce Murray (D)
12. Rochester - Jack Reid (D)
Second round
13. Rochester - Matt Lyons (F)
14. Colorado - Matt Brown (F)
15. Buffalo - Brian Croswell (F)
16. Calgary - Bruce Codd (D)
17. Minnesota - Mike Grimes (D)
18. San Jose - Sean Morris (F)
19. Toronto - Curtis Ptolemy (F)
20. Edmonton - Chris Seller (F)
21. Chicago - Brock Boyle (F)
22. Philadelphia - Jamie Rooney (F)
23. New York - Matt Alrich (D)
24. Portland - Derek Malawsky (F)
Third round
25. Portland - Brad MacDonald (D)
26. New York - Greg Downing (D)
27. Philadelphia - Brenden Thenhaus (F)
28. Chicago - Andrew Lazore (F)
29. Edmonton - Chris McKay (D)
30. Toronto - Jon Harasym (F)
31. San Jose - Keegan Davidson (D)
32. Minnesota - Mark Tinning (F)
33. Calgary - Greg Hinman (D)
34. Buffalo - Joe Smith (D)
35. Colorado - Jed Prossner (F)
36. Rochester - Alex Smith (FO) (faceoffs)
*Edmonton traded the fifth overall selection to Minnesota in exchange for goaltender Matt Disher.
**Toronto traded the sixth overall selection, Kevin Fines, and a fifth round pick in the 2008 Entry Draft to Chicago in exchange for defenseman Cam Woods.
On Oct. 16, the league cancelled its 2008 season when a deadline to reach a new collective bargaining agreement with its players' association was not met. When a new seven-year CBA was reached with the players' association on Oct. 24, efforts began to create a new schedule for the 2008 season. The original schedule had been lost with the Oct. 16 cancelation.
Due to the unique business issues arising out of the cancelation of the original 2008 season schedule, Arizona and Boston were provided the option of electing inactive status for the 2008 season. The clubs were provided the option to re-enter in 2009 season by participating in the expansion draft or to receive back their rostered players from 2008. Arizona has chosen to re-claim their dispersed players for the 2009 season, while Boston has chosen not to re-claim their players following this season, and will build their 2009 roster as an expansion team.
The league announced a new schedule for the 2008 season on Nov. 2. The season opens on Dec. 29, 2007, when the Mammoth hosts Calgary at Pepsi Center.
(Chicago, IL)-The Chicago Shamrox indoor pro lacrosse team announced their "new" 2008 National Lacrosse League schedule featuring eight (8) Home Games, seven (7) Saturday nights and one (1) Sunday afternoon, all at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates. The Shamrox 2008 "Home Opener" will be on Saturday January 5th at 7:00pm versus the Toronto Rock.
With this revised NLL schedule, as before, the Chicago Shamrox will play a 16-game season with eight home games and eight road games.
The Shamrox eight-game Home schedule features two (2) games in January, February, March and April, all on weekend dates.
CHICAGO SHAMROX 2008 HOME SCHEDULE Date Time Opponent
Saturday January 5 7:00pm Toronto Rock
Saturday January 26 7:00pm Edmonton Rush
Saturday February 16 7:00pm New York Titans
Sunday February 24 2:00pm Buffalo Bandits
Saturday March 1 7:00pm Rochester Knighthawks
Saturday March 29 7:00pm Minnesota Swarm
Saturday April 5 7:00pm Philadelphia Wings
Saturday April 26 7:00pm Minnesota Swarm
*all games at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates
Tickets for all eight Shamrox home games for the 2008 season go on sale Wednesday, November 7 at 10:00am and fans have multiple ways to order tickets for all games.
Season Tickets and Group Tickets (each featuring discounts and benefits) can be ordered by calling the Chicago Shamrox office at 1-877-SHAMROX. Single game tickets can be ordered by phone at 1-888-SEARS-TIX, on-line at Sears Centre Arena or by going to the Sears Centre Arena box office in Hoffman Estates.
Shamrox Season Tickets start at only $15 a game and include season ticket benefits. Full season 8-game and half-season 4-game plans are available. Group Tickets, for groups of 15 or more, feature discounts and benefits, starting as low as $10 a game. Group Ticket fundraiser programs are available as well by contacting the Chicago Shamrox office.
"This is really a fan-friendly Shamrox home schedule with all of our eight home games on weekends, seven on Saturday night," said Shamrox President, Conrad "Connie" Kowal. "Plus with our fan-friendly ticket plans and ticket pricing, we look to build on what we put together in 2007".
During the 2007 Inaugural Season, the Shamrox averaged over 6,000 fans per game at the 9,500 seat Sears Centre Arena, including a crowd of 8,456 at last year's Home Opener. The Shamrox won three of their last five games to tie for a playoff spot missing out on a tie-breaker.
The Shamrox will be announcing their promotional schedule, including "Code Green Night II" and other special promotions, in the near future. Also, the 2008 NLL All-Star Game is scheduled for Sunday March 16 (time TBD) at Edmonton.
PORTLAND, November 6, 2007 - The Portland LumberJax have signed top draft pick Tyler Codron to a two-year agreement, as was announced today by Head Coach/General Manager Derek Keenan. The Jax also re-signed defenseman Ian Crashley to a two-year agreement, forward Spencer Martin to a one-year agreement and traded defenseman Jake Deane to the Chicago Shamrox for a conditional 6th round selection in the 2010 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft.
A transition player, Codron was the sixth overall selection (first round) in the 2007 NLL Entry Draft. Essentially a Canadian Bo Jackson, Codron split time between the Port Coquitlam Saints and the Coquitlam Adanacs in addition to playing defensive back for the University of British Columbia Thunderbird's this past summer.
Codron led the Saints with 35 assists and 48 points during the 2007 season in British Columbia's Junior A League. A big, tough, physical runner, Codron will compliment a projected LumberJax lineup that features Ryan Powell, Brodie Merrill and recently acquired Dan Dawson.
"As our first round draft pick in this year's Entry Draft, we're thrilled to sign Tyler to a two-year agreement," said Keenan. "We think he has the skill and athleticism to make an immediate impact in the NLL."
As a rookie last season, Crashley played in 12 games, scoring two goals and adding four assists. The 6'5" Whitby, Ontario native also spent 21 minutes in the penalty box and collected 52 loose balls.
"As a 20-year-old last season, Ian performed far beyond our expectations," said Keenan. "We think that experience under his belt will make a major impact for us in 2008."
Martin was acquired by the Jax in a draft day trade with the Minnesota Swarm. In 14 games of action last season, Martin scored 14 goals and added 27 assists. Martin brings veteran leadership and valuable postseason experience to the third year team.
"I've always admired the way that Spencer plays", said Keenan. "He's a grinding forward who can score, but his true strength is being a team player who is best at creating space for others on offense. He can also play solid defense if needed."
Deane was selected in the fourth round (49th overall) by the Jax in the 2006 NLL Entry Draft out of the University of Massachusetts. Deane did not appear in any games during the 2007 season due to prior work commitments.
PORTLAND, November 7, 2007 -First there was Adam West. Then, there was a string that started with Michael Keaton and has continued with Christian Bale. On Sunday, November 11, one more man will dress as the Caped Crusader: Jax goalie and Community Relations Director Dallas Eliuk. Eliuk will be a featured celebrity at the Portland Comic Book Show, held at the Memorial Coliseum. Eliuk will be in full Batman costume, utility belt and all.
The future hall of famer will be on hand from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. to greet fans, pose for photos, sign autographs and maybe even chat with Commissioner Gordon. Eliuk's fiancée, 105.1 the Buzz's Daria will dress as one of Batman's enemies, Catwoman. The two comic book fans will stand side-by-side as they greet all their fans and hand out a limited number of the popular Jax comic book that debuted last season.
The Jax will also be a part of this weekend's Grand Re-Opening of Clackamas Town Center, courtesy of Sports Dreams. Defenseman Richard Morgan and SunsUp Tanning Jax Dancers Jill and Kendall will be on hand Saturday, November 10 from 4-6 p.m. to sign autographs and meet fans. SunsUp Tanning Jax Dancers Christina and Billie will also be on hand on Sunday, November 11 from 4-6 p.m. for photos and an autograph session. Come hang out with the Jax and check out the revamped mall.
PORTLAND, November 8, 2007 - The Portland LumberJax will open their National Lacrosse League Training Camp schedule on Saturday, November 17 at the Tualatin Indoor Soccer Center in Tualatin, Ore.
The Jax will hold two practices per day. Morning practice runs from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and evening practice runs from 8:05-9:45 p.m. Times are subject to change.
Other training camp days include: December 1, December 8, December 15 and January 5.
Training camp is by invitation only for players. The five Saturday training camp schedule is open to the media and the public. For all media inquiries, please contact Jax Media Relations Manager Steven Masters by phone at (503)963-3869 or by email at Steve.Masters@portlandjax.com.
The Jax open the 2008 season on Saturday, January 12 against the New York Titans at the Rose Garden Arena at 7:30 p.m. Season tickets start as low as $72 and are available now. For more ticket information, call (503)797-9739 or visit PortlandJax.com.
The Philadelphia Wings open their 2007 training camp on Saturday, November 10 at United Sports Training Center in Downingtown, PA. The Wings will hold weekend sessions during the months of November and December in preparation for the 2008 season, which begins at the Wachovia Center against the Chicago Shamrox on January 12.
All training camp sessions at United Sports Training Center are free and open to the public. For directions log on to United Sports Training Center.
Guarantee great seats for the 2008 Wings season by reserving your season tickets now! Season tickets start as low as $80 and are available by calling the Wings ticket office at (215) 389-WING (9464).
The Philadelphia Wings are owned and operated by Philadelphia Wings L.P. whose principal owners are Russ Cline, Chris Fritz, and Michael French. Comcast-Spectacor serves as the marketing, promotional, advertising, sponsorship, and publicity arm of the Wings.
2007 PHILADELPHIA WINGS TRAINING CAMP SCHEDULE
DATE TIME LOCATION
Saturday, November 10 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. United Sports Training Center
Sunday, November 11 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. United Sports Training Center
Saturday, November 17 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. United Sports Training Center
Saturday, November 17 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. United Sports Training Center
Sunday, November 18 Noon - 3 p.m. United Sports Training Center
Saturday, December 1 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. United Sports Training Center
Saturday, December 1 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. United Sports Training Center
Sunday, December 2 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. United Sports Training Center
Saturday, December 8 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. Wachovia Spectrum*
Sunday, December 9 8 a.m. - Noon Wachovia Spectrum*
Saturday, December 22 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. United Sports Training Center
The Rochester Knighthawks announced today that the team has re-signed defenseman Chris Schiller to a two-year deal. The Knighthawks have also signed forward Dylan Evans to a one-year contract. Both contracts are pending league approval.
Schiller enters his seventh season with the Knighthawks in 2008. Last season, he played in 12 games and recorded three goals and five assists. In the National Lacrosse League Championship Game, he scored one goal and collected six loose balls. In his Knighthawks career, he has played in 69 games and recorded 34 goals, 31 assists and 363 loose balls. The Penfield native and McQuaid grad was originally acquired from the Washington Power in exchange for Scott Urick on August 25, 2001.
Evans, no relation to Scott and Shawn, signed a one-year free agent contract with the Knighthawks. He has played Junior ?A? for the Brampton Excelsiors of the Ontario Lacrosse Association for the past four seasons (2004 to 2007). In 2007, the forward finished in the Top 10 in playoff scoring and tied for the team lead with 27 points (11+16). Evans, a native of Brampton, also played college lacrosse at Dowling College in 2006 and helped the Golden Lions to the Division II National Championship Game.
The defending champion Knighthawks begins their 14th season with a home-and-home series against the rival Buffalo Bandits. The game is a rematch of last year?s East Division Finals. Rochester opens the season on Friday, January 11th at HSBC Arena. On Saturday, January 12th, the Knighthawks will raise their championship banner prior to hosting the Bandits at 7:35 p.m. at The Blue Cross Arena at the Rochester War Memorial.
Rochester captured the 2007 NLL Champion?s Cup on May 12th, defeating the Arizona Sting 13-11 at Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Arizona. The win was the team?s 15th straight and capped a 17-2 season. The championship was the second in the franchise?s history. The Knighthawks last won the title in 1997.
PLEASANTON, CA -The San Jose Stealth indoor professional lacrosse team (www.sjstealth.com), fresh off of a playoff run in 2007, will play all of its home games during the 2008 season on weekends, including its home opener against the Calgary Roughnecks Friday, January 25 at HP Pavilion, it was announced today.
The new schedule, revised after the National Lacrosse League settled its labor dispute with the players association, pushes San Jose's home opener back two weeks and will send the Stealth on the road for three of its first four games. They will close the season with four consecutive home games in April. The eight-game home schedule includes four games on Fridays, three on Saturdays and one on Sunday.
"By moving our home opener to January 25 we are afforded a little more time to market the season," Stealth President and General Manager Johnny Mouradian said. "From a competition standpoint we like having to play three games against Calgary, Colorado, Edmonton and Portland. It's important for us to build those rivalries."
The Stealth will renew one of those rivalries right from the start, facing the Calgary Roughnecks in back-to-back games. San Jose opens the season at Calgary Saturday January 12, takes a week off and then kicks off the home schedule against the Roughnecks January 25.
Division opponents make up 12 of the 16 games on the schedule. They will host Eastern Division foes Minnesota and Chicago February 2 and February 9 and will travel to play New York (January 31) and Philadelphia (March 14).
Playoff positioning will most certainly be up for grabs when San Jose closes the regular season with four consecutive home games against division opponents. The Stealth will host Portland (April 6), Edmonton (April 11), Portland (April 18) and Colorado (April 25) to complete the regular season.
National Lacrosse League Press Release 2007
Minnesota Swarm Selects Four Players in Dispersal Draft
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