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**truebluefan** · 07-02-2008, 07:02 PM

Dawson selected first overall by expansion Boston Blazers

The expansion Boston Blazers selected forward Dan Dawson with the first overall selection in today's dispersal draft. Dawson, a three-time All-Star, scored 38 goals and 43 assists in 2008, good for sixth in the league in goals.

The Edmonton Rush selected Andy Secore with the second pick. The 24-year-old forward had a breakout year in 2008, scoring 28 goals and 48 assists and earning his first career All-Star selection.

Chicago selected All-Star defender Scott Self at third overall. Self scooped a team-high 100 loose balls for the Shamrox in 2008, earning second team All-Pro honors.

Toronto picked up forward Craig Conn at fourth overall. The four-year veteran, who missed the entire 2008 season with an injury, recorded 65 goals and 78 assists in his last two seasons in the league (2006-2007).

**truebluefan** · 07-02-2008, 07:03 PM

The Portland LumberJax retained forward Derek Malawsky by selecting him in the First Round (12th Overall) in Monday's National Lacrosse League Dispersal Draft. The Jax also selected forward Kyle McEwen in the Second Round (25th Overall). Former Jax forward Dan Dawson was selected First Overall by the expansion Boston Blazers and former Jax defenseman Brad MacDonald was selected in the Second Round (16th Overall) by the Chicago Shamrox.

Malawsky was Portland's third leading scorer last season as the Jax won the West Division. Appearing in all 16 regular season games, Malawsky scored 25 goals and added 35 assists while collecting 71 loose balls. It was the ninth straight season that Malawsky scored at least 50 points.

Originally drafted by the San Jose Stealth in the 2003 NLL Entry Draft, McEwen spent last season on the Colorado Mammoth's Practice Roster and has yet to appear in an NLL game.

**truebluefan** · 07-02-2008, 07:04 PM

The Boston Blazers (The Official Site of the Boston Blazers - Blazers) today selected Dan Dawson, one of the National Lacrosse League's (NLL) most dynamic scorers, in the NLL dispersal draft. The Blazers will continue to build their team when the NLL conducts its expansion and entry drafts later this summer.

Dawson, a 6-foot-5, 225-pound forward, appeared in the NLL Champion's Cup final three out of the last four years with Arizona (twice) and in 2008 with Portland. The Oakville, Ontario native notched 38 goals and 43 assists in 2008 with Portland and a team record 47 goals and 60 assists for Arizona in 2007. His 107 points in 2007 is tied for sixth highest in league history.

"We are pleased to add a player of Dan's caliber to the Boston Blazers," said Tom Ryan, Blazers Head Coach and General Manager. "He is a proven winner and one of the brightest stars in the league right now."

Dawson is a seven-year veteran of the NLL and two-time First Team All-Pro. Although he played in 2008 with Portland, his NLL rights were held by the Arizona Sting, whose players were made available to the dispersal draft today. Dawson, 26, is currently playing summer lacrosse for the Brampton Excelsiors of Major Series Lacrosse (MSL), a Senior A box lacrosse league based out of Ontario, Canada.

In the second round, the Blazers selected 6-foot-2, 205-pound forward Peter Veltman (14th overall pick), who tallied seven goals and 13 assists in nine games played in 2008 with San Jose.

**truebluefan** · 07-02-2008, 07:04 PM

Minnesota Swarm General Manager Marty O'Neill today announced the National Lacrosse League (NLL) team selected defenseman Chris McKay (11th pick) and forward Brad Dairon (25th pick) in the Dispersal Draft of Arizona Sting players.

McKay, 27 (8/13/80), recorded six points (2-4=6), 34 penalty minutes (PIM) and 56 loose balls in seven games with the Edmonton Rush in 2008. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound native of Victoria, British Columbia was named the NLL's Transition Player of the Week on April 1, 2008. He has totaled 37 points (8-29=37), 56 PIM and 253 loose balls in 49 career NLL contests during four seasons with Arizona and Edmonton. McKay has also appeared in eight career playoff games with the Sting picking up six assists and 36 loose balls.

Dairon, 30 (4/7/77), collected 36 points (15-21=36) and 62 loose balls in 16 games with Edmonton in 2006 and served as an assistant captain. The 6-foot, 235-pound native of Vancouver, British Columbia has totaled 97 points (48-49=97), 46 PIM and 132 loose balls in 49 career NLL games during six seasons with Toronto, New York, San Jose and Edmonton. He has missed the last two NLL campaigns working as a firefighter in Burnaby.

Andy Secore, who was selected by Minnesota with the fifth overall selection in last year's Dispersal Draft and led the Swarm in scoring in 2008 with 76 points (28-48=76) in 14 games, was selected second overall by Edmonton in this year's draft.

**truebluefan** · 07-02-2008, 07:19 PM

The Philadelphia Wings selected Goalie Rob Blasdell with their first pick (ninth overall) in the National Lacrosse League Dispersal Draft today.

The Arizona Sting franchise has disbanded for the upcoming 2009 season, creating a dispersal draft for the remaining teams in the NLL to claim their 22 players. The two-round draft enabled each team in the NLL to claim two additional players for their upcoming roster. The expansion Boston Blazers selected three-time All-Star Dan Dawson with the first overall pick.

Blasdell was on loan to the Wings in 2008, where he recorded 434 saves with a 13.92 goals against average (GAA), and a record of 8-2. In his 11 seasons in the NLL, Blasdell has a 12.30 GAA, with 3,956 saves. In 2002, he set the single season record for saves in one season (644) while with the Albany Attack.

The Wings then selected Defender Luke Pinder, a 6'3" 220-pounder, with their second selection (22nd overall). Pinder, a Kitchener, ON native, was originally drafted by the Sting in the sixth round (72nd overall) in the 2006 NLL Entry Draft.

"We're excited to have Rob back for 2009 and we are eager to see what Luke Pinder brings to the table; he is a spectacular athlete" said Wings Head Coach Dave Huntley.

Deposits are now being accepted for the Wings 2009 Season. A $50 deposit guarantees a great seat for eight great games of Wings lacrosse. Call 215-389-WING or visit wingslax.com for more information.

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, sponsorship and publicity arm of the Wings.

**truebluefan** · 07-02-2008, 07:20 PM

The Rochester Knighthawks announced today that club has acquired defenseman Troy Bonterre from the Edmonton Rush in exchange for forwards Lindsay Plunkett and Matt Brown. The pair of forwards were originally drafted by Rochester in today's dispersal draft of the former Arizona Sting franchise.

The trade also gives Rochester a third-round pick in the 2008 NLL Entry Draft and the option for future considerations.

Bonterre comes to Rochester after completing the 2008 season with the Rush where he collected one assist, 20 loose balls and 18 penalty minutes (PIM) in 10 games.

Prior to his one-year stint in Edmonton, the Owen Sound, Ontario, native spent back-to-back seasons (2006-07) with the Buffalo Bandits, registering two points (0+2) and 92 PIM and 32 loose balls in 15 total games. Bonterre made his professional lacrosse debut during the 2005 season with the Arizona Sting, posting career highs with three points (0+3), 36 loose balls and six shots.

**truebluefan** · 07-02-2008, 07:20 PM

The Colorado Mammoth selected defenseman Bruce Murray and forward Matt Ward in the National Lacrosse League dispersal draft on Monday.

The draft distributed players from the Arizona Sting among the league's remaining 13 teams. All players that returned as part of the Arizona franchise after the 2008 season were available in the draft.

The Boston Blazers used the first draft choice to pick forward Dan Dawson. The Edmonton Rush used the second selection on forward Andy Secore, who had a breakout season last year for the Minnesota Swarm.

The Mammoth used its first selection, the seventh overall, on Murray, keeping him in a Mammoth uniform for another season. Murray, a 6-foot-1, 260-pound veteran of seven NLL seasons collected four points, 24 penalty minutes and 73 loose balls during his first season in Colorado.

"We're excited to keep Bruce in Colorado," Mammoth general manager Steve Govett said. "He became a fan favorite last year and with his size and strength gave the defense another wall to get through."

The Mammoth used its final choice, the 20th overall, on Ward, a native of Falls Church, Va. Ward played collegiately at the University of Virginia, where he was honored as a three time All-American and the winner of the Tewaaraton Trophy, honoring the top male player in the United States. The 5-foot-10, 205-pound forward plays for the Major Lacrosse League's Washington Bayhawks where he was named the Rookie of the Year in 2006.

**truebluefan** · 07-02-2008, 07:21 PM

The Edmonton Rush were busy at the National Lacrosse League Dispersal Draft today, re-acquiring two players and landing a forward who had a breakout offensive season in 2008.

Rush GM/Head Coach Bob Hamley selected Andy Secore with the second overall pick in the Dispersal Draft. Secore rose to All-Star status last season with the Minnesota Storm, notching 28 goals and 48 assists for 76 points. Secore played the previous two seasons under Hamley in Arizona.

In the second round of the Dispersal Draft, the Rush selected defenceman Chris Seller who split time last season between the Rush and Calgary Roughnecks. Seller was originally selected by the Rush in the 2007 Dispersal Draft but was then dealt to Calgary after just two games and he went on to register 13 points in 12 games for the Roughnecks. A nine-year NLL veteran, Seller had spent the previous three seasons under Hamley in Arizona. He also has previous NLL experience in Anaheim and Buffalo.

Hamley completed his busy day by making a trade. The Rush sent rugged defenceman Troy Bonterre along with a third-round pick in the 2008 NLL Entry Draft and future considerations to the Rochester Knighthawks in exchange for forward Lindsay Plunkett.

Plunkett was selected by Rochester with the fourth overall pick in the 2008 Dispersal Draft after ending the '08 season in an Edmonton uniform. As a member of the Rush, Plunkett racked up six goals and nine assists for 15 points in just six games. He was acquired by the Rush from Chicago during the 2008 season after starting the year with 22 points in six games for the Shamrox. Plunkett also played under Hamley in Arizona in 2007 and have previous NLL experience with Buffalo and Ottawa.

Bonterre came to the Rush early in the '08 season as a free-agent signing and appeared in 10 games picking up one assist.

**truebluefan** · 07-02-2008, 07:21 PM

The 2009 National Lacrosse League season is still more than five months away, but many of the Portland LumberJax are continuing to play around Canada and the U.S. to keep their skills sharp.

Several players are participating in the Canadian Lacrosse Association (CLA), which has two divisions. The Western Lacrosse Association (WLA) and Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) compete independently from May to August. The winners of each division meet for the Mann Cup in September.

In the WLA, the New Westminster Salmonbellies are off to a hot 10-1 start. Defenseman David Morgan has scored one goal, added two assists and spent 17 minutes in the penalty box in nine games of action. Forwards Peter Morgan and Scott Stewart have yet to play for New Westminster but both are expected to as the summer continues.

Defenseman Ray Guze has appeared in seven games for the second place Coquitlam Adanacs, spending 25 minutes in the penalty box.

Forward Cory Conway has split time between the third place Victoria Shamrocks and with the Shamrocks' Junior A club. With the parent club, Conway has appeared in two games and tallied an assist. In the junior ranks, Conway has scored six goals and added 16 assists in nine games of action.

For the fourth place Burnaby Lakers, defenseman Mike Kilby has scored four goals and added two assists while leading the team in penalty minutes with 35. Forward Spencer Martin has appeared in one game for the Lakers, scoring one goal and adding an assist.

Practice player Jonathan Munk has played in eight games for the Langley Thunder, tallying two assists.

The Jax have also been well represented on the Maple Ride Burrards, who are coached by Assistant General Manager Daren Fridge. Transition Player Tyler Codron has scored four points (2 goals, 2 assists) and practice player Derek Lowe is second on the team in scoring (19 goals, 12 assists).

Defenseman Brodie Merrill has kept himself busy splitting time between MSL and Major League Lacrosse (MLL). With the Brampton Excelsiors of MSL, Merrill has played in four games and added nine assists. With the Rochester Rattlers of the MLL, Merrill has scored three goals and added four assists in five games of action.

Also in the MLL, forward Ryan Powell has scored eight goals and tallied 15 assists for the Denver Outlaws.

In the junior ranks, forward Peter Jacobs has paced MSL's Junior A Akwesasne Indians with 18 goals and 14 assists. Goalie Joel Weber has stopped 87% of the shots he's faced with the Junior A Coquitlam Adanacs.

**truebluefan** · 07-02-2008, 07:22 PM

Buffalo Bandits GM Darris Kilgour announced today the Bandits have acquired a third-round pick in the 2008 NLL Entry Draft from the Edmonton Rush in exchange for defenseman Greg Hinman.

A native of Coquitlam, B.C., Hinman spent last season with the Calgary Roughnecks, and was selected by Buffalo in the first round (13th overall) of Monday's Dispersal Draft.

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