The Toronto Shooting Stars head into the 2012 Clax season hoping to make a bid for the Creator’s Cup and prove that they are not just wishing upon a shooting star.
The big news for the Stars is that they have signed an agreement to play at the Mattamy Athletic Centre formerly known as Maple Leafs Gardens. The last professional sporting event to be held at the Gardens was the NLL final in 2000 when the Toronto Rock won the Champion’s Cup. The Stars will hope some of the old magic of the Gardens can pay off and that they can become the first pro team in 12 years to raise a championship inside those hallowed walls.
The Stars made a big move to begin the season as they completed a 9 man trade with the Durham Turfdogs. The Stars traded Zac Mcllmoyle, Nate Andres and John Chesebrough, a third round draft pick and the rights for Jesse Guerin to the Turfdogs. In exchange the Stars received Aaron Grayson, Aaron Brown , Adam Derks, Gary Muzzin and the rights to John Durno. The keys pieces in the deal for the stars are Gary Muzzin and Aaron Grayson. Muzzin posted a 6-2 record last season and will be a solid addition in between the pipes for the Stars. Grayson on the other hand was the Turfdogs leading scorer as he had 16 goals and 33 assists and will hopefully bring his play making skills with him to the Stars.The Shooting Stars also added some local talent drafting current Toronto Beaches star Jordan Robertson who put up 69 points this past summer as while as drafting former Beaches player Geoff Griffiths.
The Stars will also be bringing back offensive stars Brad Levick and Jackson Gair. Both these players had great 2012 seasons as Levick put up 55 points while Gair put up 36 with the addition of Grayson; expect Gair and Levick to find the back of the net more this season thanks to Grayson’s play making skills.
The Stars look to have a formidable lineup as they head into the 2013 season if they can stay healthy expect them to be a tough team to beat and for them to make some noise.
