Oz All-Star Series rosters finalized, more on Tom Ryan, Wings trade Thomson, plus the links

September 25th, 2009 by Paul Tutka

Orlando's Jarett Park will be suiting up in the league's Oz showcase in October. (Photo: Dave Sanders)

We’re just under a month outside of the NLL dropping down in Oz and setting up shop at the Hisense Arena in Melbourne, Australia with the first ever NLL All-Star Series, pitting some of the league’s top level stars with Australia’s best box laxers.

The showcase match will be split up by an East & West side, with current NLLers and Aussie All-Stars playing alongside one another on both rosters. Last week the organizers released a handful of the names that would be making the trip, today the full sides were released. After the jump, check out who’ll be throwin’ another shrimp on the barbie in four weeks, and what former NLLers will be representing the Aussies.

East

Jacob Egan, MCC Lacrosse Club
Geoff Snider, Philadelphia Wings
Darren Nicholas, Eltham Lacrosse Club
Luke Wiles, Washington Stealth
Mark Steenhuis, Buffalo Bandits
Keith Nyberg, Eltham Lacrosse Club
Jarett Park, Orlando Titans
Shawn Evans, Rochester Knighthawks
Pat Merrill, Orlando Titans
Chad Culp, Minnesota Swarm
Jordan Hall, Orlando Titans
Gary Gait, Rochester Knighthawks
John Grant, Rochester Knighthawks
Anthony Cosmo, Boston Blazers
Matt Vinc, Orlando Titans
Steve Mortimer, Glenelg Lacrosse Club
Kyle Ross, Boston Blazers

West

Tyler Richards, Washington Stealth
Tim Fry, Eltham Lacrosse Club
Nick Carlson, Colorado Mammoth
Jeff Zywicki, Washington Stealth
Rhys Duch, Washington Stealth
Ryan Garnsworthy, Williamstown Lacrosse Club
Ben Newman, Williamstown Lacrosse Club
Wes Green, Williamstown Lacrosse Club
Brodie Merrill, Edmonton Rush
Bruce Codd, Calgary Roughnecks
Pat McCready, Toronto Rock
Tom Ethington, Colorado Mammoth
Andrew McBride, Calgary Roughencks
Dane Dobbie, Calgary Roughnecks
Jeff Shattler, Calgary Roughnecks
Ian Hawskbee, Edmonton Rush
Cory Conway, Colorado Mammoth

The All-Star Series runs from October 23-24th.

More on Tom Ryan concentrating on coaching, Doug Reffue stepping in as GM in Boston

Earlier this week NLL Insider was the first to report on the role changes in the Boston Blazers camp, Tom Ryan stepping down from his role as the team’s GM and current Blazers President, Doug Reffue, stepping in to fill in as the team’s newest GM.

Ryan, who many considered a strong finalist for both coach and GM of the year honours with Boston last year, said this in a statement the Blazers recently made available, “After a season of fulfilling both the head coaching and general manager duties I have decided to step down as GM and devote my attention to coaching. I will continue to work closely with Doug to identify and acquire the best talent available, but I feel it is in the best interest of the Blazers for me to focus on the team.”

The newly appointed Reffue echoed Ryan’s comments after last winter’s impressive first run in the NLL, “Tom has done an outstanding job in assembling the perfect team to compete for a Champion’s Cup. Our 10-6 record in our expansion year is a testament to Tom’s ability to recognize, acquire, and unify top lacrosse talent. We feel that the time is right for Tom to focus his energies on coaching as we enter our second season. Tom will retain a very strong voice in our personnel decisions as we move forward.”

Philadelphia Wings trade ‘08 first round pick Sean Thomson to Minnesota

It was officially announced late yesterday afternoon that the Wings moved their first round pick in last year’s draft, Sean Thomson, to the Minnesota Swarm for Minny’s fourth round pick in this year’s draft, Colgate’s Kevin Colleluori, plus the Swarm’s third rounder in next year’s draft.

“We went into the off season with a clear plan about what we needed to do to improve the Swarm for the 2010 season, said Minnesota GM Marty O’Neill. “One of our goals was to add some depth and size in our right-handed offensive players and the acquisition of Sean addresses both issues. He is a big body with the ability to score and has significant upside as he gains more experience in the league. We are very pleased to have him with the Swarm.”

Thomson, who has recently missed time due to some concussion issues, was selected as the league’s Rookie of the Week last year in early January after sniping a hat-trick against the Rochester Knighthawks in a 16-13 Wings win.

The 5′7″ Colleluori led Colgate in goals last year (38) and finished his four years at the school with an impressive 103 goals 109 ground balls.

The Swarm meanwhile made a trio of signings to bring into training camp in coming months earlier this week as well, inking former Swarm player Brock Boyle, former Green Gael & Warrior and current Peterborough Lakers underrated work horse, Alex Henderson, and previous Edmonton Rush prospect and Brooklin Redmen two-year 40 goal getter, Steve Hutchins.

Plus the links

Roughnecks lock-in Jeff Shattler until 2012: Calgary Roughnecks
I was in the war room with Ed (Comeau) and our coaches during the draft and they were debating between Ryan (McCafferty) and some established Canadian indoor players. In the end, the Titans decided that Ryan would be the best fit for our organization.” Steve Donner: Orlando Titans
“Certainly my vision is to win a championship and have packed houses along the way to cheer us on at our home games in Everett. That would be the ultimate experience.” Chris Hall: Washington Stealth
Richmond Lacrosse Association looking to build on momentum: Richmond News
Former Juniors looking to reestablished Sr. B ball in Huntsville: Huntsville Forester
Kevin Huntley shows off his fridge & crib, loves Velveeta: Inside Lacrosse
Looking at folding in both Elora and Fergus into one club: News Express