NLL Insider

With some quiet off-season chatter that long time Toronto Rock defender Dan Ladouceur mighta been joining teammate Jim Veltman by hangin’ em up and a callin’ it a career, those rumours were put to rest on Friday afternoon, after it was announced that Laddy re-inked for at least another season in the NLL.

“I am excited to be returning to play another season”, said Ladouceur. “Management has worked hard in the off season to add pieces to our puzzle and I look forward to remaining active in the pursuit of another Championship.”

Other not as high profile off-season signings that have kinda gone under the radar but worth noting…

- Boston signs Buffalo’s third keeper, Dan Sams, who impressed many with his clutch showing against Chicago last year with both Mike Thompson and Kenny Montour suffering from post concussion syndrome. Sams posted a pretty unreal 68 saves, only allowing eight in a 13-8 Buffalo win. Sams is also a two time Minto Cup winner with both St. Catharines and Peterborough.

- Kevin Hanson, who hasn’t played in the NLL since 2002 with the Vancouver Ravens, averaging just over two points per game, has signed with Portland Lumberjax heading into training camp. Hanson was a former first round NLL Entry Draft pick and has recently posted impressive summers with the Sr. Burnaby Lakers, scoring 102 points in 29 games over that span.

- On the same day as signing Hanson, the Jax also released tranny Scott Stapleford, who’s played for New York, Toronto, Colorado and obviously Portland during a pretty impressive six year career in the bigs. Stapleford also played for the USIL Team in 2007 after posting his most impressive NLL season in the same year.

- Chicago signed tough guy Daryl Welsh to a one year contract. Welsh is best remembered by NLL fans for his scrap with Geoff Snider two winters ago while playing with Edmonton. The fight left Welsh lookin’ like his face had just been rung through a meat grinder in a beating that had many giving Snider the new fight crown. That same NLL season, Welsh also danced with Tim O’Brien in a beauty, giving O’Brien all he could handle. During the summer, Welsh plays for Shamrox’s GM and head coach Jamie Batley in Peterborough, also spending time with the Norwood Nitros in the Sr. B loop too. Check out Welsh’s most recent fight from over this past summer below…

- Chandon Hill inked a deal with Rochester earlier this month. Hill, a great all-around athlete that has excelled in both hockey and lacrosse, was actually at the Swarm’s training camp last year but never ended up finding a spot on their roster. Hill joins is former Mohawk Stars teammate Jason Henhawk, who signed a three year deal with the Hawks’ earlier this off-season. Henhawk killed the Sr. B scoring charts with the Stars this year and also added to the MSL’s Six Nations Chiefs season as well.

- Kyle Wailes, who’s been MIA in Philly lately due to some visa issues, signed with the team in a rare four year deal. It’s expected that the former Toronto Beaches scoring machine will contribute to the Wings in a full-time role in 2009. Wailes will help bolster a Philly O which is currently without Jake Bergey, Jamie Rooney, Jason Crosbie, and a currently not 100% Athan Iannucci, from last year’s roster. Wailes has not played in the NLL since 2007  and not played in the MSL since 2005.

- And sources tell NLL Insider that the New York Titans have re-signed American keeper Chris Collins, who’ll likely be on the teams pracky roster this year. Collins is considered by many to be the next US keeper that will make the jump to a full-time gig in the NLL. Collins also spends time with the US Developmental Team run by USIL.

Stay up to date on the NLL’s off-season signings and moves at the league’s transaction page on NLL.com.

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