The Western Lacrosse Association announced yesterday that the New Westminster Salmonbellies have traded goaltender Matt Roik to the Victoria Shamrocks in exchange for a fourth round draft pick in 2016.
The Shamrocks are coming off of their second straight WLA championship and Mann Cup appearance. Goaltender Matt Flindell has recently announced via Twitter that he has retired from lacrosse, so this move could be to replace him on the roster.
Cody Hadgedorn is the only other goaltender on the roster who played major minutes last season. Meanwhile, New Westminster sends the playing rights of Roik to Victoria. Roik did not play in British Columbia last season, and he is currently not in the National Lacrosse League either.
A veteran goaltender, Roik last played in 2013 with the Bellies where he played one game and gave up seven goals in a loss. From 2008-2011, Roik had a 7.79 goals against average with the Salmonbellies in 31 games and a save percentage of .819%.
In his career, Roik has a WLA goals against average of 8.02 in the playoffs as well. It’s expected that Roik will be the starting goalie for the Shamrocks.
