Photo by Garrett James
The Vancouver Stealth announced today the team’s final twenty-man roster and practice roster for the upcoming 2015 season.
The 2015 roster will be led by new addition Johnny Powless, who was acquired in an off-season trade on the day of the National Lacrosse League Entry Draft, along with forward Joel McCready from Rochester. The Stealth also acquired defenceman Rory Smith and goaltender Eric Penney in another draft day deal with Buffalo. Other newcomers on the Stealth roster include Tyler Hass, acquired from Minnesota in the off-season and free agent Tyler Burton.
This season, the Stealth will feature twelve returning players from last year’s squad including veterans Rhys Duch, Ilija Gajic, Tyler Garrison, Curtis Hodgson, Chris O’Dougherty, Lewis Ratcliff, Cliff Smith, and Tyler Richards.
“We have a solid corps of returning veterans who are very hungry this year,” said Stealth President and General Manager Doug Locker. “Coupled with the players we acquired in the off-season, we feel the mix is there to contend deep into the post-season.”
The new look Stealth roster includes the addition of rookie transition Brandon Clelland, who was drafted in the third round (21st overall) of the 2014 NLL Entry Draft this past September.
“We were really impressed with our draft class and they performed extremely well during camp,” continued Locker. “All three of the players we kept on our twenty-four man roster are going to contribute for us this season.”
After making it to the Champions Cup Finals in 2013, the Stealth missed the playoffs last season, and will look to get back to their winning ways in 2015.
“We really like this group and can’t wait to get on with the next phase of developing our team in preparation for our opening game on January 3,” said Locker. “The hard work and intensity we have seen throughout camp will make for a very exciting on floor product. We are counting the days to get going.”
2014 draft picks Conrad Chapman (No. 12) and Matt Delmonico (No. 30), along with Kyle Belton, who was acquired in a trade from New England this past summer, will start the season on the practice roster.
The Stealth will be celebrating their second season of lacrosse in the Lower Mainland in 2015 as they kick-off the regular season on the road against the Calgary Roughnecks at 6:00PM PST Saturday, January 3. Vancouver will play its’ home opener on Saturday, January 10 when they host the Toronto Rock at 7:00PM PST at the Langley Events Centre. Tickets are available at www.StealthLAX.com
Vancouver Stealth 2015 Roster:
Forwards (7): Tyler Digby, Rhys Duch, Joel McCready, Johnny Powless, Lewis Ratcliff, Cliff Smith and Caleb Wiles;
Transition (6): Brandon Clelland, Ilija Gajic, Tyler Garrison, Tyler Hass, Mitch McMichael and Justin Salt;
Defensemen (5): Tyler Burton, Curtis Hodgson, Bradley Kri, Chris O’Dougherty, and Rory Smith;
Goaltenders (2): Eric Penney and Tyler Richards
Practice Squad: Kyle Belton (T), Conrad Chapman (T) and Matt Delmonico (F)
