The free agent frenzy is well underway in the National Lacrosse League with teams re-signing their players in bunches leading up to the start of training camps in late November.
The Calgary Roughnecks announced the re-signing of seven players today, including defensemen Jon Harnett and Dan McRae, forward Dane Dobbie, as well as draft picks Garrett McIntosh and Jake Hayes and free agent Cody Hawkins.
But the biggest signing for Calgary was the three-year deal locking down lefty forward Jeff Shattler.
The 28-year-old veteran has played seven seasons with the Roughnecks. He was a critical figure for the team in 2009 when they last won the Champion’s Cup, scoring 28 points to go along with 119 loose balls during the regular season, then adding five points and 21 loosies during the playoff run.
His best season was 2011 when his 75 points tied him with Dobbie for the team lead while his 93 loose balls were second on the team. For his efforts he was awarded First Team All-Pro status, Transition Player of the Year and the league MVP.
Since then he has become a full-time forward in the Roughnecks’ scheme. He has had back-to-back 30-goal seasons, he’s now been over 70 points three years in a row and, with Dobbie, forms one of the most dangerous lefty combos in the NLL.
With Shawn Evans, Curtis Dickson and Scott Ranger patrolling the right side and Daryl Veltman helping from the left side, the Roughnecks offense is nothing short of scary.
With Shattler signed for another three years, a critical piece of that offensive equation is now in place for the long haul, making the future look bright for the Roughnecks.
