The Calgary Roughnecks have announced the team has re-signed veteran defenseman and captain Andrew McBride to a one-year contract for the 2015 National Lacrosse League season.
“It has been an honour to spend my entire NLL career in Calgary,” said McBride. “I am fortunate to enter my 13th season in this great community and look forward to continuing to share my passion for lacrosse with our loyal fans as we pursue our third NLL championship.”
McBride, a native of Ladner, British Columbia, is the longest-serving player in franchise history with 182 career games played. Selected by Calgary in the second round, 14th overall, in the 2002 NLL Entry Draft, McBride recently completed his 12th NLL season and fourth consecutive year as team captain.
The 31-year-old defender has recorded 86 points (19 goals, 67 assists) and 614 loose balls while amassing 335 penalty minutes over his 12-year tenure with Calgary. A member of both the 2004 and 2009 championship teams, McBride is also the franchise’s all-time leader in playoff games played (25). “Andrew is passionate about the Roughnecks, passionate about winning and passionate about the City of Calgary,” said Roughnecks general manager Mike Board.
“His leadership, both on the floor and in the community, is impressive. We are pleased to have him continue to contribute on the floor, in the dressing room and in the community again this season.” McBride is an active member in community, working with amateur athletes both locally and internationally as a Special Olympics Ambassador, an Athlete Ambassador with Right To Play and director of the Classroom Lacrosse program. Now in its fifth year, Classroom Lacrosse, in partnership with Painted Pony Petroleum Ltd., gives students in Calgary and surrounding area an opportunity to experience lacrosse as well as learn about leadership, nutrition, goal-setting and the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
A portion of the funds raised through Classroom Lacrosse are directed to Right To Play and its efforts to educate and empower youth in disadvantaged communities. This summer, McBride finished his first year as head coach of the Okotoks Junior A Raiders following three years as an assistant coach with the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League club.
