Brodie MacDonald is the Swarm’s newest goalie. The 25-year-old Vernon, B.C. native was acquired by the Swarm in a trade with the Edmonton Rush, prior to the NLL Entry Draft. In the trade the Swarm sent Tyler Carlson and draft picks. With trading last year’s starting goalie for the young back-up from Edmonton, the Swarm have opened the door for MacDonald to start making a name for himself as a…
The Minnesota Swarm got the most well known young player in Monday night’s Entry Draft: Miles Thompson. The Swarm got a bit lucky in being able to draft Thompson after an early morning trade by the Rochester Knighthawks that sent Johnny Powless and Joel McCready for the Vancouver Stealth’s second overall pick for later that evening. This trade blew up almost everyone’s mock drafts, including my own. With this trade…
This off season we plan on going one on one with every general manager in the National Lacrosse League to discuss the latest news. We spoke with Blane Harrison of the New England Black Wolves this week. Below are notes on four main areas of preseason talk with NLL teams. Trades: [Jamie] Lincoln brings quality depth to our left side. We are expecting that he will compete for a regular spot and contribute goals. We want to…
Many NLL fans have probably never heard his name but they will want to remember it as Hopcroft looks to be a breakout payer for the Knighthawks in the 2015 season. Hopcroft started his career with the Calgary Roughnecks in 2011 where he put up three points in three games. The Roughnecks would trade Hopcroft to Colorado in 2012 where he posted 26 points in 11 games. Hopcroft would then…
The relocated National Lacrosse League team that was the Philadelphia Wings are finally announcing their team name today, and it will be the New England Black Wolves. New England will stay in the eastern division, as Philadelphia was, and play out of Mohegan Sun Arena, just about an hour south of Boston. The team now has active website and social media accounts. Press Release: The Mohegan Sun has introduced the New…
The Rochester Knighthawks announced today that they have signed defenseman/transition man Zac Reid to a one-year deal. The former draft choice joins the Knighthawks after an impressive summer season with the Major Series Lacrosse Brampton Excelsiors. “On a young Brampton team he really stood out this summer,” said Knighthawks and Brampton defenseman Mike Kirk. “He was extremely coachable and was able to buy into our defensive system very quickly. He…
Two months ago, Dillon Ward was named MVP of the World Lacrosse Championships as he led Team Canada to the gold medal. On Thursday, the Mammoth signed the 23-year-old to a new five-year agreement, pending league approval. “As a rookie in 2014, Dillon showed great poise between the pipes as he helped lead us to the postseason,” said Mammoth president & general manager Steve Govett. “He is as good as…
Buffalo Bandits General Manager Steve Dietrich today announced the team has agreed to terms on one-year contracts with transition players Kevin Brownell and Mitch Wilde, as well as defensemen Glen Bryan and Marty Hill. Brownell returns for his third season with the Bandits this year. The former third-round pick amassed seven points (3+4) last season in 12 games played for Buffalo. He’s played in 19 games for the Bandits over…
Toronto Rock General Manager Terry Sanderson has announced the signing of free agent forward Brett Hickey to a 1-year agreement. The contract is pending league approval. The Windsor, Ontario native was selected in the fifth round of the 2011 NLL Draft by the Vancouver Stealth. Hickey played his entire Junior lacrosse career with his hometown Windsor AKO Fratmen (now the Clippers) of the Ontario Junior B Lacrosse League (OJBLL). In…
This week we will be focusing on NLL breakout players for the 2015 season. We begin with Calgary transition player Karsen Leung. Leading up to the 2013 NLL Draft, the Calgary Roughnecks traded forward Joe Resetarits and the 15th pick overall for the 10th pick and a second round pick in 2015. With that 10th pick, the Roughnecks grabbed transition Karsen Leung. The decision to let go of a talented…