The Calgary Rougneck’s were one of the top teams in the NLL last year before they were upset in the playoffs by the Edmonton Rush. The Rough necks hope to not repeat this mistake this year and instead have their sights set on the championship.
The Roughnecks this season solidified their offense as they resigned Dane Dobbie, Curtis Dickson and Daryl Veltman. Dickson last year had 31 goals and 25 assists for 56 points and was a main part of Calgary’s offense last year. Dobbie last year had 28 goals and 22 assists but was even more impressive in the offseason playing with Daryl Veltman in Coquitlam where they were both top players in the WLA. Veltman last year showed off his playmaking skills as he had 20 goals and 42 assists last season. These three players give the Roughnecks one of the best offenses in the NLL. The Roughnecks also shored up their defense resigning Mike Carnegie, Scott Carnegie, Jon Hartnett, Curtis Manning, and Peter McFetridge. The Roughnecks hope these players can step up and be a solid force on defense. On paper the Roughnecks look once again like one of the best teams in the NLL.
In their preseason game the Roughnecks impressed as they ran over the Colorado Mammoth 20-11. Scott Ranger was the star of the day as he had 4 goals and 3 assists carrying over his success from this summer in the WLA where he led the league in points. Dickson and Jeff Shattler each had 5 goals and 3 assists and showed why the Roughnecks choose to resign them. Veltman also got in on the action as he had 2 goals.
Some players who surprised during the game were Andrew Murphy a newly signed free agent who tallied 2 goals and an assist along with first round draft pick Joe Restarits who had a goal for the Roughnecks. The Roughnecks while looking like a juggernaut on offense even without the assistance of Dane Dobbie, Kaleb Toth or Shawn Evans.
Overall the Roughnecks look like a solid team but they will need to prove themselves this season that they are not just a top team on paper but a top team in reality as well.
