It’s the NLL’s version of Hot Stove season (to use a baseball term), and that means general managers are as active as ever. Leading up to the draft in September, we will be discussing the off season with as many general managers as possible. Next is Vancouver Stealth general manager Doug Locker.
QUESTION: The Stealth have had a very active off season. Is that partially due to the lack of a first round draft pick?
We improved our team in a dramatic way last season by trading for Corey Small, Logan Schuss, Joel McCready, Rory Smith, Tyler Hass and Eric Penney and had to trade our pick to help accomplish that. Yes, being active in the free agent market was a specific strategy that has helped us tremendously with the additions of Jeff Moleski, Ian Hawksbee, Travis Cornwall, Colton Clark, Adam Shute and Reid Mydske. All players whom we feel help make our team better. We are going to continue to be active in the off season to do everything we can to put the the best possible team on the floor in January.
QUESTION: With Tyler Richards gone, is the plan to go with Cody Hagedorn and Eric Penney, along with recent signee Adam Shute?
We have tremendous confidence in that group without a doubt. We have been impressed with what Eric has done both last season and over the summer, and feel he is one of the top young goalies in the game. Cody is very talented and a guy our players and organization love – one of those players people often overlook, for reasons unknown to us because he always proves his doubters wrong. We went hard after Adam and wanted in him our goalie mix because we feel he is another tremendously talented young goaltender who is ready to compete for a spot at this level.
QUESTION: With Jeff Moleski returning, and also the additions of Ian Hawksbee and Travis Cornwall, the Stealth have a solid and deep defense. Was that a goal of yours going into the off season?
Of course we wanted to improve our defensive depth – our results last season were not impressive and that has been a major focus of ours. We have put together what should be one of the better defensive units in the league Those players along with the return of Matt Beers and a healthy Tyler Garrison change our look very quickly.
QUESTION: Your only remaining free agents are Ilija Gajic, Cliff Smith, and Kyle Sorensen. What will it take to retain those players?
I do not discuss player status in public forums, but look for those players to be back with the Stealth this season.
QUESTION: Does having so much depth on defense potentially set you up to make a deal for a first round draft selection?
I’m not going to discuss our draft strategy or player movement here, however, we are going to do whatever it takes to bring a Championship team to Vancouver, whether that be thru free agency, trades or the draft.
QUESTION: Tyler Digby broke out in 2015. Who do you see being that player in 2016?
I’m not sure I would say that Tyler Digby “broke out” as he is simply showing that he is one of the rising stars in the league. He is a very strong player who showed that he is a very good player, I know Tyler feels he can produce more for us and that’s a pretty exciting prospect. I’d be hesitant to pick anyone for break out season as there are so many players on our roster who are hungry and capable of tremendous seasons.
QUESTION: The Johnny Powless deal that went down last season ended up bringing you Logan Schuss and also Joel McCready who had a strong year. Looking back, how do you feel about that deal?
We are extremely happy to have Joel and Logan with the Stealth – the short answer is we would do it again to get those guys ten times out of ten. Logan and Joel are both great players, they are proven and are big pieces of our team both now and in the future.
QUESTION: Reflecting as well on the Corey Small trade, your left handed forward position became deep with him and Schuss. How important is it to create depth like that at all positions?
Obviously it’s very important – we feel we have taken steps to have that depth everywhere. Our camp this year is going to be our most competitive ever because of that depth and we can’t wait to get started.
QUESTION: Lewis Ratcliff retired last year, and there was speculation there were too many “shoot first” players and that created difficulty. Is that something you consider when team building?
Speculation in our sport normally is wrong so I’ll start with that. Needless to say, when building a team you need talent, depth, a group of players who compliment each other, great team first players and highly competitive personalities.
QUESTION: Rhys Duch was qualified right away. Is he who makes this offense run?
Rhys Duch is one of the most talented players in the National Lacrosse League period. All Rhys wants to do is win, whether the offense flows thru him or someone else. We had four players who had 30 or more goals last season – it’s a very unselfish group that works well together and Rhys is a major piece of that.
