The Washington Stealth struggled in 2012 with a 4-12 record but as they head into training camp they are hoping to turn things around.
The Stealth held their preseason tryout last week and have identified five players who stood out above the rest and signed them to 1 year deals. The Stealth signed transition players Drew Snider and Mitch McMichael, defender Ben McCullough and forward Mark Negrin, as well as goaltender Nick Patterson who all signed one year deals. McMichael had 16 goals and 18 assists at Cornell, while Negrin had six goals and eight assists in Coquitlam’s run to the finals in the WLA. Goalie Nick Patterson played for the swarm in 2011 and struggled but hopes he can bounce back with the stealth.
The Stealth have also resigned two of their core players, Rhys Duch and Kyle Sorensen to one year deals. Sorensen was also named captain of the Stealth for 2013. Duch on the other hand, is an offensive dynamo who had 33 goals and 46 assists in 2012 and will look to once again power the forward line comprising of himself, Athan Iannucci and Lewis Ratcliff. The Stealth will also have Tyler Richards back in net who had a good summer in the WLA with the New Westminster Salmonbellies.
The Stealth look like they have their core pieces in place for 2013 but they will need to look for some more depth if they hope to have a quick turnaround from 2012. Iannucci will be expected to carry more of the offensive load for the Stealth but he is more than capable as he showed in the WLA this past summer. The other factor for the Stealth is Ratcliff and Iannucci playing together all summer with the Langley Thunder.
Expect the Stealth to have a better 2013 season and expect Negrin and McCulloug to challenge for spots as they are both solid players the Stealth could use.
