The Calgary Roughnecks will host the Toronto Rock Saturday evening in the season opener for both teams.
Leading the Rock will be Captain Colin Doyle. Entering his 12th season with Toronto, Doyle has been present for each of the team’s six Champion’s Cup titles and will continue to be an integral part of the team’s success. Garrett Billings will also join Doyle as an offensive leader. Billings comes off of a career year in which he set the Rock franchise records in points with 114.
Making his Rock debut will be Scott Evans. The talented righty has been impressive since joining the Rock, notching 7 goals in two exhibition games.
Chris White will also see his first action in a Rock jersey versus the Riggers. White brings veteran leadership and All-Star worthy play to an already stellar Rock defense.
Nick Rose will face his former Roughnecks teammates’ for the first time since being traded to Toronto last season The game will also mark the first NLL season opener Rose has appeared in as a starter.
NLL veteran Curt Malawsky will officially take the reigns as head coach in Calgary. Malawsky was previously spent the last three years as an assistant coach and assistant general manager for the Roughnecks and has also won three Minto Cup titles in his coaching career.
With Kaleb Toth retiring, veteran faces returning to the Roughnecks include Scott Ranger and Jeff Shattler.
Other weapons for the Riggers include Curtis Dickson, who is poised to have a breakout season. Shawn Evans was the leading scorer for Calgary last season registering 79 points and will certainly look to perform versus his brother Scott on Toronto.
Goalie Mike Poulin will look to back up his status as the NLL Goaltender of the Year starting between the pipes for Calgary.
New faces set to join Calgary include three players from the Roughnecks 2012 draft class: First round draft picks Joe Resetaris and Matt Dinsdale as well as second round pick Jackson Decker.
Former Toronto Rock member Aaron Pascas also joins the Roughnecks, after being acquired in an off-season trade.
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