With Garret Billings coming off an astounding 114 point season and legendary scorers Colin Doyle and Josh Sanderson returning, the Toronto Rock offense is feared by many around the league. While Toronto’s defense may not get as much publicity as their prolific offense, they are arguably just as high powered.
Returning defensive veterans Sandy Chapman, Bill Greer, Stephen Hoar, Mike Hobbins, Rob Marshall, Patrick Merrill, Phil Sanderson and Cam Woods share a combined total of 17 Champion’s Cup rings, with 13 of those championships being won in a Rock uniform.
Leading the way with 5 Champion’s Cup titles (4 with the Rock) to his name is assistant captain Sandy Chapman. The NLL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2010, Chapman continued his consistent D in 2012 while registering a team best 83 loose balls. Chapman also posted 11 points last season, the most among Rock defensemen.
Veteran leaders Sanderson and Woods both enter their 13th NLL season and will anchor the Toronto defense. Hoar, Hobbins, Greer, Merrill and Marshall have all proven themselves as elite defenders and will continue to guard the back end for the Rock.
Adding to the veteran defensive cast is new Rock signee Chris White. The former captain of the Buffalo Bandits, White is a 4 time All-Star with his most recent appearance being last season. White also won a Champion’s Cup title with the Bandits in 2008.
Despite not beginning the 2012 season with Toronto, former Durham Turfdog (CLAX) and Toronto Beaches (OLA Jr.A) product Damon Edwards still managed to dress 10 games for the Rock. Edwards will look to increase his role on defense in his first full season with his hometown squad. Another CLAX product to join the Rock late in 2012 was Scott Johnston. Despite only playing 3 games last season, Johnston posted 3 points and managed to crack the lineup for the team’s eastern division final loss at the hands of the Rochester Knighthawks.
Defensive draftees Mike Lum-Walker, Robert Koger and Brad Kri will look to contend for a spot on Toronto’s roster when training camp begins December 1st. While the trio may be new to professional lacrosse all 3 have big game experience, with each winning a Minto Cup. After playing for NLL coaches during their junior career (Lum-Walker was coached by Derek Keenan while Kri and Koger suited up for Matt Sawyer), the D men of Toronto’s 2012 draft class will have familiarity with the pro system going into camp.
In the first season without Bob Watson behind them in goal, the Rock faced some uncertainty at times last season. After Nick Rose posted a 5-1 record to finish out the year, Toronto seems to have found their new tender for the future. With plenty of experience on the back end and bright young prospects looking to make an impact, Toronto will have plenty of talent to support Rose going into to the 2013 season.
