The Washington Stealth have signed NLL veteran forward Athan Iannucci to a one-year agreement.
Iannucci (Port Moody, B.C.) is entering his seventh NLL season after appearing in11 games for the Stealth in 2012. He was acquired in the February trade with Edmonton for Paul Rabil.
“Athan has proven that he is a dominant offensive threat and will be a major factor for us this coming season,” said Stealth general manager Doug Locker. “He is big, strong and always finds a way to get to the net which provides us with multiple threats up front.”
The 6-4, 215-pound consistent scoring threat finished the 2012 season with 45 points (21g, 24a) and 33 loose balls. Impressively, he tallied at least two points in every game, including four or more points in each of his last four games.
“Athan is coming off a very good second half of last year’s season and a great summer season,” said Locker. “He looks like he is getting better and better.”
This past summer, the 30-year-old was one of five Stealth players that guided Western Lacrosse Association champion Langley to the Thunder’s second-straight Mann Cup Finals appearance.
Originally drafted by the Philadelphia Wings in the first round (8th overall) in the 2006 NLL Entry Draft, Iannucci earned NLL All-Rookie Team honors in 2007 before going on to a break-out 2008 season, setting the NLL record for goals in a single season with 71. For his efforts he was named NLL Player of the Month in three of four months and earned the season’s MVP Award.
Despite sitting out part of 2009 and all of the 2010 season due to injury, Iannucci rebounded in 2011with 61 points on 29 goals and a career-high 32 assists.
As a collegian, Iannucci played three seasons for NCAA Division I Hofstra University (2004-2006) where, as a senior, he led the NCAA with 62 goals and 80 points.
Iannucci will be on the floor at this weekend’s training camp Saturday, Dec. 8 and Sunday, Dec. 9 in Langley, B.C. (Langley Events Centre), and Dec. 15 and 16 in Everett, Wash. (Comcast Arena). The final training camp weekend takes place on December 29 and 30 also in Everett, Wash. (Comcast Arena).
Final cuts to determine the active 23-man roster and three practice-roster spots take place on December 20.
