NLL Insider

The Western Lacrosse Association (WLA) trade deadline was midnight June 30. Victoria, Coquitlam and New West were all active in the trade talks. Two big trades occurred on the day, each involving a National Lacrosse League (NLL) defender and a 2010 WLA Entry Draft first-round selection. You’ll also be surprised to read who has come out of retirement.

Curtis Hodgson to Victoria for two First-rounders

In arguably the biggest move of the day, five-year NLL pro Curtis Hodgson (NLL Stealth) was traded to Victoria in exchange for the Rocks’ first-round draft choices in 2010 and 2011.

Hodgson, 27, has been a first-team WLA All-Star for the last four consecutive seasons and was the WLA Defender of the Year in ‘07 and ‘08.

“We are very excited to add another elite player in Curtis Hodgson to our group,” stated Shamrocks’ GM Chris Welch in a press release. “There were several teams competing for his services and we paid a significant price to get him because we couldn’t pass up the opportunity… He will make us better.”

A two-time Minto Cup champion with Burnaby, Hodgson is in search of his first Senior title and will have a good shot at it with Victoria; The Shamrocks currently sit first in the WLA with a 9-1 record. Curtis will make his Shamrock debut on Friday, July 3, against his former club in Burnaby.

“We expect to have Curtis in our lineup for years to come,” added Welch.

Curtis already has ties with the Shamrocks. He won the ‘02 Minto Cup with ‘Rock goalie Nick Patterson (NLL Swarm), and knows coach Art Webster, Rhys Duch and Aaron Bold from the NLL Stealth.

Although loaded with home-grown talent, including Duch, Lewis Ratcliff (NLL Rock) and Ryan Ward (NLL Swarm), Victoria has added a number of key pieces from outside this year.

Eastern-based players with the ‘09 Shamrocks include Ian Llord (NLL Bandits), plus NLL All-Stars Nick Inch (NLL Swarm) and Jeff Shattler (NLL ‘Necks).

Mike Kilby to Coquitlam for a First-rounder

The Burnaby Lakers picked up an additional first-round selection in next year’s WLA Entry Draft plus Neil Arbogast, by moving defender Mike Kilby (NLL ‘Necks) and a fourth-round pick in the 2010 WLA Entry Draft to Coquitlam.

Sitting last-placed in the standings, the Lakers made a clear move to go younger on June 30. Starting out this year, a number of long-time Lakers,  including Hodgson and Kilby, opted to not dress in Burnaby. Picking up three first-round draft picks will obviously help the franchise re-load.

The move is also good for Coquitlam who lost Bruce Murray and Rich Catton due to season ending injuries occurred with the NLL Mammoth. The A’s have had to deal with in-season injuries to young stars Steve McKinlay (NLL Stealth) and Dane Reelie, as well.

Mike Kilby captured the NLL title with Calgary in ‘09 with new WLA teammates Andrew McBride, Dane Dobbie and Curt Malawsky. 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, Kilby also played in the ‘08 NLL final with Portland and has not missed an NLL game since signing his first pro contract three years ago.

“He is a great defensive player in his prime and will also add toughness to the lineup,” said GM Les Wingrove of Kilby. “We have also added Ray Guze (NLL Mammoth) back from the injured list and signed former Adanacs’ great Pat Coyle, who is very anxious to suit up.”

New West not trade active, but still stronger

New Westminster GM Dan Richardson said they entertained trades at the deadline, as well, but the price to pay was way too steep. New West will retain two first-round selections in the 2010 WLA Entry Draft and should be healthier in the second half of the season.

The ‘Bellies re-activated Chris Gill (NLL Mammoth) from Injury Reserve, along with Clint Westwood. They’re also still working in NLL All-Stars Jordan Hall (NLL Titans) and Peter Morgan (NLL ‘Jax) who have each only played four games this year but are expected for the playoff push.

Ilija Gajic, last year’s WLA Playoff MVP and a top NLL pro prospect, is scheduled to play his first WLA game of the season next week when New West hosts Nanaimo on July 9th.

Thunder and Burrards make minor trade

Earlier in the week, the Langley Thunder traded Jonathan Munk to the Maple Ridge Burrards for a third-round round pick in 2010 or 2011, or a fourth-round selection in the 2010 WLA Entry Draft.

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