NLL Pre Season: Stealth Host Rush in Scrimmage

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The National Lacrosse League pre season is here, and the first game of the season kicks off at 9pm eastern time when the Vancouver Stealth host he Saskatchewan Rush in an exhibition contest. It will be the first time the Rush take the floor since winning the Champions Cup last season and their first time playing as representatives of Saskatoon.

Both teams return several stars but are reloaded, especially the Stealth. Vancouver will be goalie Tyler Richards, who retired this off season. Instead Eric Penney will get his shot as a starter along with Cody Hadgdorn seeing time. Free agents Adam Shute and Chris Levis will also get looks.

Vancouver had two major acquisitions this off season, returning defenseman Jeff Moleski after a season with Calgary and trading for forward Garrett Billings. Billings, a native of British Columbia, comes from New England where he spent half of last season. The former season-leading scorer will be a big part of an offense looking to replace Johnny Powless and Lewis Ratcliff, and the presence of Tyler Digby is also gone after the trade.

Logan Schuss and Corey Small begin their first full seasons with the Stealth manning the left side of the offense. One battle to watch this pre season is the depth of the left side with four rookies vying for positions including Jordan Durston, who will get many looks.

NLL journeymen Colton Clark and Keegan Bal will get looks to fill out the right side but the Stealth are a team that will look for offense from its transition. Led by Ilija Gajic and Tyler Hass, Travis Cornwall joins the roster as a free agent.

Historically the Stealth have struggled defensively but look like a deeper team this year. Moleski, along with free agent signee Ian Hawksbee, add a veteran presence along with Rory Smith. Rookie free agent Joakim Miller out of Finland will be a player to watch on defense.

Saskatchewan was able to retain most of its players, including goalie Aaron Bold who had been a free agent. The league’s top defense, and one of the best all-time defenses, returns Chris Corbeil, Kyle Rubisch, and Brett Mydske. Jakob Doucet, a former Stealth draft pick, gets a chance to round out the defense along with second year player Matt MacGrotty.

On offense, Curtis Knight returns from missing last year with a torn ACL and adds more depth to an already strong unit. Knight falls behind Ben McIntosh and Robert Church on the right side of the offense, who both had breakout seasons in 2015. Mark Matthews, Zack Greer, and Riley Loewen round up the right side, along with second year player Tyler Melnyk and rookie Dan Taylor will get a chance.

The NLL pre season action begins tonight as both teams will get a chance to narrow their rosters. Vancouver has a lot to look at after opening their pre season just today but have a much deeper roster than years past, while the Rush were lucky enough to return most of a championship club.