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**truebluefan** · 12-07-2007, 05:37 PM

SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The National Lacrosse League's (NLL) Minnesota Swarm announced today that single game tickets for the Swarm's 2008 home schedule at Xcel Energy Center will go on sale Saturday, Dec. 8 at 12:00 p.m. at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office (175 West Kellogg Boulevard), on the Minnesota Swarm's web site at Home Page - Minnesota Swarm , and at all Ticketmaster (Official Ticketmaster site. Tickets for Concerts, Sports, Arts, Theater, Family, Events, more ) locations or charge by calling Ticketmaster at (651) 989-5151. Minnesota's home schedule features three Friday contests, four games on Saturday and one Sunday match. Swarm home regular season single game tickets are available in all price categories and range from $12.00 to $32.00 per game.

2008 MINNESOTA SWARM PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE

DATE OPPONENT PROMOTION TIME

Saturday, Jan. 12 Toronto Rock First 10,000 fans will receive a Swarm poster schedule 7:00 PM

Friday, Feb. 8 New York Titans Date Night: First 5,000 fans will receive a Swarm ChapStick and first 5,000 fans age 21-and-over will receive a Bud Light Swarm Performance Team magnet 7:00 PM

Sunday, Feb. 10 Portland LumberJax First 10,000 fans age 18 and under will receive a Swarm/Minnesota Lacrosse Association (MLA) bandana 3:00 PM

Friday, March 14 Chicago Shamrox Eric Perkins Jersey Retirement: 5,000 fans will receive a commemorative Eric Perkins bobblehead 7:00 PM

Saturday, April 5 New York Titans Hawaiian Night: First 5,000 fans will receive a Nick Patterson magnet and first 10,000 fans will receive a Swarm Lei 7:00 PM

Saturday, April 12 Philadelphia Wings Heroes Night: First 5,000 fans will receive a Swarm lacrosse ball 7:00 PM

Saturday, April 19 Rochester Knighthawks 70s Night: First 5,000 fans will receive Swarm beads 7:00 PM

Friday, April 25 Chicago Shamrox Fan Celebration Night: First 10,000 fans will receive a Swarm team poster 7:00 PM

DATES, TIMES AND PROMOTIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

The Swarm finished the 2007 season with a 9-7 record and advanced to the NLL playoffs for the second consecutive season. Minnesota averaged 9,405 fans last season and set a single game attendance record when 14,144 attended the team's regular season finale against the Arizona Sting on April 14, 2007.

Minnesota hosts the Toronto Rock on Saturday, Jan. 12 at 7:00 p.m. at Xcel Energy Center in the 2008 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. Call 888-MNSWARM or info@mnswarm.com for more information.

**truebluefan** · 12-09-2007, 04:23 PM

Players, mascots and dance teams members of the Rochester Sports Group will make six holiday appearances during the week on Monday, December 17th to Thursday, December 20th.

The holiday events begin on December 17th as the Amerks, Knighthawks, Rhinos, Knightingales Dance Team, Rex the Rhino and The Moose will rings bells to raise money for the Salvation Army?s Red Kettle Campaign. The appearance is from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the four corners in downtown Rochester (intersection of Main and Exchange streets). Rhino Matthew Delic?te and Amerks Kenndal McArdle, Marc-Andre Gragnani, David Shantz and Tanner Glass will ring bells. The event marks the eighth time in nine years that the Rochester Sports Group has participated in the Red Kettle Campaign.

On Tuesday, December 18th, Knighthawk Chris Schiller, members of the Knightingales Dance Team, and Amerks Mike Weber, Patrick Kaleta and McArdle will sign autographs at the Rochester General Hospital Pediatrics Party (1425 Portland Ave.) from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. The Amerks Moose and Rex will also attend the event.

At 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Weber will visit the Greece Library (2 Vince Tofany Boulevard) as part of the Rochester Americans "Reading Power Play" program. Weber will read to the kids and give a hockey demonstration. The Amerks will also raffle off memorabilia and then hold an autograph session.

Please note that the reading appearances scheduled for Wednesday, December 19th have been rescheduled because the Amerks are playing in Albany. The American Hockey League game was originally slated for Saturday, December 8th. The Henrietta Library appearance has been changed to Monday, January 7th at 7:00 p.m. The Webster Library visit has been changed to Monday, January 14th at 7:00 p.m.

On Thursday, December 20th, the teams will make three stops, beginning with a 4:00 p.m. media event at Build-A-Bear Workshop? at Eastview Mall. 2007 National Lacrosse League MVP John Grant, Pat Cougevan and Schiller will attend the event. Rochester Knighthawks and CURE Childhood Cancer Association have partnered together for the 2008 NLL season.

The event will kick off the promotion, as players and CURE kids will assemble bears and other animals at the Build-A-Bear Workshop?. All 23 Knighthawks players will build bears from December through March to raise money for CURE. On Saturday, March 22nd, CURE will allow fans to bid on the creations at a silent auction at the Knighthawks-Chicago Shamrox game at The Blue Cross Arena. Build-A-Bear Workshop? will also donate a bear signed by the entire team to help with the charitable event.

At 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Amerks Peter Aston and Dan Collins will attend the next ?Pucks and Plates? event at The Original CharBroil House. The players will sign autographs and greet fans at 6:30 p.m. The appearance is the third of six this season at the location at 1395 Island Cottage Road in Greece. Fans can also win tickets to upcoming Amerks games.

The final event is the team?s Labatt Celebrity Bartending appearance at Nathaniel?s Pub at 251 Exchange Blvd. The appearance is the first of six events sponsored by Labatt. Rochester Knighthawks Shawn Wilkins, Grant and Cougevan will raise money for CURE Childhood Cancer Association. Other players will be added in the coming days. Festivities begin at 8:00 p.m. and will end at 10:00 p.m.

CURE is counseling, understanding, resource and education to Rochester area children and families for over 30 years. CURE and the teams of the Rochester Sports Group are holding their third bartending event for charity.

**truebluefan** · 12-09-2007, 04:23 PM

PORTLAND, December 7, 2007 - The Portland LumberJax have traded defenseman David Morgan to the San Jose Stealth in exchange for a fourth round selection in the 2009 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft, as was announced today by Head Coach/General Manager Derek Keenan.

The 6'10" Morgan played with the Jax during the 2006 season; scoring one goal and adding one assist in six games of action.

**truebluefan** · 12-09-2007, 04:24 PM

In keeping with the holiday spirit, Lax Facts is offering new subscribers a chance to win prizes by signing up for the Rochester Knighthawks and Rochester Rattlers official newsletter. Fans have a shot at winning a Rochester Rattlers lacrosse helmet, tickets to the Knighthawks' 2008 season opener, an autographed John Grant lacrosse ball, T-shirts and a Rattlers' game-worn jersey.

To enter, go to Lax Facts and fill out the registration form at knighthawks.net or rochesterrattlers.com. The winners will be announced online on Thursday, December 27th.

Existing members will automatically be entered to win four premium seats to a Knighthawks' game and four passes to the President's Lounge to enjoy free food before the game.

The email-based publication provides breaking news, game stories, player and coaches' interviews and player profiles each week. The newsletter also gives fans access to ticket packages and discounts throughout the National Lacrosse League and Major League Lacrosse seasons.

The defending champion Knighthawks begin 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.

The Rochester Rattlers finished the 2007 season with a trip to the MLL Semifinals. During the regular season, the Rattlers finished second in the Eastern Conference with a 9-3 record. The nine wins set a franchise record. Rochester also established a league record with 34 power-play goals and 129 assists. Further, the team set a team record for goals with 208.

**truebluefan** · 12-14-2007, 07:51 PM

DENVER - The Colorado Mammoth has signed transition player Josh Sims to a three-year contract and goaltender Gee Nash to a one-year deal pending National Lacrosse League approval.
Sims, the Mammoth's all-time leader with 548 loose balls, began his NLL career in 2001, when the Mammoth franchise was based in Washington, D.C. He set career highs last season with 19 goals, 20 assists and 39 points.

"Josh is known as one of the fastest players in the league, but he also has a knack for scoring goals and the talent to change the game in one play," Mammoth general manager Steve Govett said. "We are happy to have him back because he is a big part of our team both on and off the field."

Nash has backstopped the Mammoth to the playoffs every season since joining the team in 2004. He tied for second-best in the league with nine victories last season and posted a third-best .779 save percentage.

"Gee is a player that helps build team confidence. When he is in net, our team can rely on him to make the big stops and to give us the momentum to pull us through close games," Govett said.

Taylor dealt to Rock

The Mammoth also announced that forward Matt Taylor has been traded to the Toronto Rock in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2008 NLL entry draft. The deal is also pending league approval. Taylor played in four games for the Mammoth last season, compiling four goals and four assists.

**truebluefan** · 12-14-2007, 07:51 PM

Edmonton, AB---Despite having played over 100 games in the NLL, Kyle Goundrey admitted that he did have some nervous feelings before training camp got under way for the 2008 season.

Those jitters came as a result of being in unknown territory for the first time in a long time. Having spent the past six seasons playing for the Calgary Roughnecks, Goundrey made the bold move of coming north and joining the rival entry in the Battle of Alberta, the Edmonton Rush.

"The nerves were pretty big early on but it's a lot easier now that I'm here," said Goundrey as the Rush's second weekend of training camp was staged at Spruce Grove's Tri-Leisure Centre.

"I was out of my comfort zone and coming into a new environment with a new coaching staff and new players as teammates."

But it hasn't taken long for Goundrey to toss aside Roughnecks red and to fit into the Rush's silver and black. When GM/Head Coach Paul Day signed Goundrey to a free-agent contract over the summer, he quickly pointed out that the 32-year-old from Richmond, B.C., would be looked upon for leadership. It's a role that Goundrey was comfortable with in Calgary as an assistant captain and it was obvious by his words and actions during the Rush training camp that he's willing to adopt those qualities in Edmonton as well.

"Paul Day and the rest of the coaches asked me to do that sort of thing and it's really built some confidence in me as a leader," said Goundrey.

After a drill was sluggishly performed by the troops during one session, Rush assistant coaches A.J. Jomha and Jim Milligan chastised the team. When it went down correctly the next time around, Goundrey was quick to relay a point to the group.

"It shouldn't take the coaches telling us to do it right. Be intense all the time," said Goundrey. And for the rest of the session, the tempo was up and the execution was much higher.

Goundrey is not the kind of player to just echo the coaches' words and talk a good game. He'll back it up on the floor too, just as he's done throughout his career. Including brief stints in Vancouver and Baltimore, Goundrey has amassed 89 goals and 204 assists for 293 points, plus racked up his share of hustle honors having racked up 485 loose balls. Last season with the Roughnecks, he collected 11 goals and 28 assists for 39 points - one of the lower totals of his career - but it's a good bet those numbers will pick up in the Rush's re-designed offence.

As a team player and leader, though, Goundrey is more concerned about wins than personal accomplishments.

"My game is to work hard and play unselfishly and to do the little things well. I don't worry about stats," said Goundrey, who hasn't yet shown any signs of great anticipation for the Rush's three games against the Roughnecks - all of which fall in the second half of the '08 season.

"I'll probably try to take those like any other game."

Training Camp Notes: The Rush have added former defenseman Chris Stachniak to the coaching staff ... Chris Gill, Dan Stroup, Mike Accursi and Matt Disher all made their training camp debuts during the second weekend ... Cory Melville has switched to No. 92 for this season after giving up No. 19 to newly acquired Ben Prepchuk ... Peter Gut, who spent all of last season on the practice roster, has been a notable name during camp and could find his way back onto the active roster where he spent all of 2006.

Watch For: A healthy A.J. Shannon to be a big part of the Rush offence this season. He is still wearing a brace on his surgically repaired knee but he looked to be having no trouble with agility or speed. In 2005, Shannon had 25 goals for Buffalo and if he stays out of the doctor's office he could hit that target again.

The 23-player rosters for the team will be announced on Thursday, December 13.

The Rush will have another practice weekend after the Christmas break on January 4, 5, and 6, 2008 in St. Albert at the Servus Credit Union Place. The season opens for the Edmonton Rush on the road in Denver against the Colorado Mammoth on January 12, 2008 and the first home game is on January 19, 2008 against the Toronto Rock.

2008 season tickets are now on sale call (780) 732-RUSH or check the Rush website Edmonton Rush Lacrosse Club for details.

**truebluefan** · 12-14-2007, 07:52 PM

PORTLAND, December 12, 2007 - How quickly the month has flown by. In late-November, the Portland LumberJax were holding their first weekend of training camp just before Thanksgiving. Now, the team only has two weekends left of camp until the start of the 2008 National Lacrosse League season. The Jax resume action this Saturday, December 15 at the Tualatin Indoor Soccer Center. As usual, the Jax practice in the morning from 11 a.m.-12:40 p.m. and in the evening from 8:05-9:45 p.m.

"It's getting to the stage where guys want to start playing games", said Head Coach/General Manager Derek Keenan. "We still have a lot to cover, but I think we will soon be there."

Camp will indeed have a different feel as this weekend is all about positioning and special teams. With only a limited number of team practices left, starting positions are up for grabs.

"The emphasis will indeed be on special teams this weekend," said Keenan. "We will also continue to build on what we implemented last weekend."

After missing last weekend's camp due to work requirements, both defenseman Brodie Merrill and forward Derek Malawsky return to give the team its first chance to practice as one. One of last weekend's highlights was the continued chemistry that forwards Ryan Powell and Dan Dawson built. Can fans expect more of that this weekend?

"This weekend we hope to put the whole package together", said Keenan. "When he's on the floor, Brodie brings the intensity to a whole other level when he's on the floor."

Both practices are free and open to the public and media. For media inquiries, please contact Jax Media Relations Manager Steven Masters at (503)781-6624 or Steve.Masters@portlandjax.com.

**truebluefan** · 12-14-2007, 07:52 PM

New York, NY- Jordan Hall, the Titans first pick in the 2007 NLL draft, has signed a one-year deal with the Titans.
Hall comes to New York after a stellar season with the University of Delaware Blue Hens, where he scored at least one point in each of his last 31 career games and ended the season as the leading career scorer among all active NCAA Division I midfielders. Hall, a three-time All-CAA selection and the 2005 CAA Player of the Year, was Delaware's second leading scorer with 38 points on 26 goals and 12 assists and ranked second on the team with 54 loose balls. Hall played in 66 career games with 61 starts and recorded 140 points on 85 goals and 55 assists and scooped up 184 groundballs. He ranks No. 13 on the all-time UD list for assists and points and No. 17 for goals and his goal just three seconds into a 2006 game vs. Albany is an NCAA record for fastest goal to start a game. He also recorded six career hat tricks, including four in 2007.

The 6', 190-pound transition player from Surrey, British Columbia, is also a member of the World Champion Canadian National Team that sent the U.S. packing in 2006 when they faced-off in the World Cup Championship match.

In addition to signing Hall, the Titans have also signed Forward Pat Maddalena, their top scorer in '07, to a one-year deal. Maddalena led all Titans in points, assists and goals last season, with 83, 43 and 40, respectively. He was ranked 6th in the NLL in scoring and 10th in the league in points. Maddalena is a seven year veteran of the league and a former NLL All-Star.

Titans 2008 Season and Group Tickets are now available by calling 888-8TITANS or contact the Titans at tickets@nytitans.com. Season tickets start as low as $75 for all five games at the World's Most Famous Arena. Log onto New York Titans Pro Indoor Lacrosse for information on the Titans 2008 season schedule.

**truebluefan** · 12-14-2007, 07:53 PM

DENVER - The Colorado Mammoth has designated the 23 players that will take the floor at Pepsi Center on Saturday, Dec. 29, when the club opens its sixth National Lacrosse League season against the Calgary Roughnecks.
"We've had a very competitive and productive training camp with a great group of players," Mammoth general manager Steve Govett said. "Our coaching staff was forced to make some very difficult decisions because the level of play was so high."

The Mammoth returns 17 players from last season's team that won the West Division regular-season title, including captain Gavin Prout, forwards Dan Carey and Jamie Shewchuk, transition players Josh Sims and Nenad Gajic, defensemen Rich Catton and John Gallant, and goaltenders Gee Nash and Chris Levis.

The Mammoth will conclude its preseason activity this weekend with training camp sessions in suburban Vancouver, British Columbia, highlighted by a scrimmage against the Calgary Roughnecks at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Sports Town in Richmond.

**truebluefan** · 12-14-2007, 07:53 PM

Philadelphia Wings General Manager Lindsay Sanderson announced the team's final 23-man roster for the 2008 season.

Featured on this season's roster are fifth-year defenseman Taylor Wray, a former National Lacrosse League Rookie and Defenseman of the Year and eleventh-year league leading goaltender Rob Blasdell. Seven rookies join the Wings squad this season including first-round draft picks Merrick Thomson (second overall) and David Mitchell (25th overall). Jim Borell, Brett Moyer, Jamie Rooney, Brenden Thenhaus, and Wayne, PA native Pat Heim round out this season's rookie class.

"Rob (Blasdell) and Taylor (Wray) are both accomplished and skilled players and we're excited to enter this season with them on our roster," said Sanderson. "Both players provide veteran leadership both on and off the floor. This is a fast and athletic team that isn't afraid to play physical lacrosse."

Individual tickets for all eight Philadelphia Wings home games including the home opener on Saturday, January 12 vs. the Chicago Shamrox are on-sale now at Official site of the Philadelphia Wings - Wings or at the Wachovia Complex Box Office. For season tickets call the Wings sales 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.

2008 PHILADELPHIA WINGS ROSTER

NO. POS NAME SEASON HT. WT. COLLEGE HOMETOWN

1 T John Christmas Third 5'9" 177 Virginia Ardmore, PA

2 T Jim Borell Rookie 6' 179 Maryland Bunke, VA

7 D Kyle Sweeney Fourth 6'2" 190 Georgetown Springfield, PA

9 F Merrick Thomson Rookie 6'2" 200 Albany Hamilton, ON

10 F Brenden Thenhaus Rookie 6'2" 210 Brampton Jr. A Burlington, ON

14 F Jamie Rooney Rookie 5'10" 185 Elora Jr. B Arthur, ON

15 D Brett Moyer Rookie 6' 180 Hofstra Long Island, NY

17 F Marc Morley Sixth 5'10" 190 UMass Amherst Hoboken, NJ

21 F Keith Cromwell Seventh 6'1" 195 Rutgers Hicksville, NY

22 F David Mitchell Rookie 6' 195 Cornell Shaunavon, SK

23 F Athan Iannucci Second 6'4" 215 Hofstra Coquitlam, BC

24 D Pete Jacobs Twelfth 6'5" 225 Johns Hopkins Baltimore, MD

25 T Pat Heim Rookie 5'11" 205 Penn State Wayne, PA

27 F Dan Marohl Eighth 6'1" 200 UMBC Baltimore, MD

28 D Thomas Hajek Fifth 5'10" 185 Vermont St. Catherine's, ON

30 G Jay Preece Fourth 6'3" 200 Mississauga Mississauga, ON

31 G Rob Blasdell Eleventh 6'1" 210 Brantford Orillia, ON

34 D Shawn Nadelen Seventh 6' 200 Johns Hopkins Henrietta, NY

44 D Taylor Wray Fifth 6'2" 230 Duke Edmonton, AB

45 F Kyle Fiat Second 6'2" 170 Towson Salt Lake City, UT

54 F Jason Crosbie Eighth 5'11" 205 St. Lawrence Hampton, ON

66 F Jake Bergey Eleventh 6' 225 Salisbury Chadds Ford, PA

77 T Rob Van Beek Fourth 5'10" 205 Simon Fraser Vancouver, BC

PRACTICE SQUAD

PS T Matt Eckerel Rookie 5'8" 185 Towson Baltimore, MD

PS F Conor Ford Rookie 5'10" 225 Johns Hopkins Baltimore, MD

*Roster is subject to final approval by the National Lacrosse League.

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