NLL Insider

Can the Calgary Roughnecks be the first repeat champs since '03? (Photo: Larry Palumbo)

With the East hashed out earlier this week, Insider shifts its focus to the division currently home to the reigning Champion’s Cup winners, the Calgary Roughnecks and the league’s often underestimated West Division. Although summer player movement is a constant theme in the National Lacrosse League, the roster transformations that transpired with virtually all the Necks’ Western rivals (and adding seven new faces themselves), truly blows away anything we’ve seen in recent seasons, head-to-toe makeovers across the board.

Can Calgary repeat? Whose offense had the most effective overhaul; Edmonton, Colorado or Minnesota? And what can we expect from a Washington roster that traded away maybe the sport’s biggest difference maker in Colin Doyle? Find out the answer to those questions and more, right after the jump.

Calgary Roughnecks

Record: 12-4 (won Champion’s Cup 12-10 vs. New York)
Points: Josh Sanderson 103
Goals: Dane Dobbie 41
Assists: Josh Sanderson 74
PIM: Scott Carnegie 46
Looseballs: Jeff Shattler 119
Moneyballer: Josh Sanderson 33.0Pts (9^th overall)

Strength… Could obviously be any number of areas on the floor with the way the Necks played last year. Their D played perfect at times, all members ideally suited for Calgary’s high pressure, no-space defensive system. Even though it took about a year to sink in, the wait was obviously worth it. Although many quickly point to Troy Cordingley for instilling that defensive scheme, you’ve gotta have the right guys in the system or it just won’t work. Yes it’s effective, especially in today’s game, but don’t think for a second it just happens with the flip of a switch. Athleticism is important, but defenders that play in the system the Necks are currently running have to be even more aware of their surroundings, ready to slide at the drop of a dime, cuz one missed assignment can also open gaping holes on the rug. Last year the Roughnecks allowed a league low 167 goals against, and that was no fluke. But as good as their shutdown D was, many also felt that without Josh Sanderson, there would have been no Cup last year. Since Sanderson was moved by the Rock, his own personal win-loss record between Calgary and Brampton, which also includes three consecutive major Cup wins (2 Mann Cups, 1 Campion’s Cup), is 67-21 (also including playoffs). We dare ya to find a player right now with a better personal record. Their power-play was also head of the class stuff (led the league in PP chances, PP goals and PP%), but with a two-man ref system expected to garner fewer penalty calls this year, will it affect a team like Calgary who did a lot of damage a man-up?

Matt King roared back to the pro game, taking the Necks' starting job and riding it all the way to the Cup. (Photo: Matt J. Wiater)

Weakness… Tough to poke many, if any, holes in their game, but there could be one main theme to watch for, especially over the first month of the season. Will the Necks have chemistry issues? They lost very little outside of Curt Malawsky making the move to the front office and bench, Pat Campbell hitting the books and Kyle Couling retiring, but a number of new faces are on their opening day roster, all expected to play fairly major roles this year. Rob Van Beek, Craig Conn, Curtis Manning, Chris Levis, Carlton Schuss, Craig Gelsvik and Rob Kirkby (yeah, don’t worry, take a breath, cuz that was a long list) are all quality ball players, but will they fit into the Necks’ current systems? They probably will, but it’s definitely something to watch for over the next (at least) four weeks. Owner and GM Brad Bannister said he felt the franchise didn’t do enough the following season the last time they won the Cup in order to pull off a repeat. Did they do too much this time around?

Newbie… Well, we just listed ‘em all above, but if you want our pick for this year’s biggest impact new Necks ball player, we’ll go with “Mr. Saturday Night”, RVB. Van Beek is coming off an outstanding summer playing for the Langley Thunder, landing a spot on the WLA’s end of year All-Star nods, most nights the best player on the court throughout the summer. He’s intense, passionate, hard hitting and can spend quality minutes at either end of the floor. It’s hard not to see him doing well in Calgary’s current approach.

Check out Van Beek’s Philly highlight reel below…

Rob Van Beek “Mr. Saturday Night”

Corinne | MySpace Video

Rookie… He’s also listed above, rookie Carlton Schuss grabbing a spot on maybe the toughest to crack roster in the NLL today. He played a bit of the summer in ’08 under current Calgary head coach Dave Pym as a playoff pickup for the Edmonton Eclipse, but it’s his smash mouth, physical, never quit style of play that likely landed him his first pro gig. Super skilled kid that isn’t afraid of the rough stuff either.

Stock rising… Not surprisingly, after last year’s epic run, there are a few guy’s whose stock really went up, but we’ll go with the most obvious choice cuz his game deserves the ink. Matt King, written off by many and seemingly on a path of being a backup lifer who traded sweaters during the off-season on a regular basis, turned his pro game around and played huge for Calgary last year. Yes the Necks sported arguably the best D in the league, but King had some monster games as he solidified his hold on the starter position with the future champs. Word is he came into camp this year more committed, dedicated and determined than maybe ever before, definitely not taking last year’s wild ride for granted. If the league gave out an improved player nod, Matt King would have been ‘08’s recipient.

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Colorado Mammoth

Record: 7-9 (lost West semi-final 15-8 at Calgary)
Points: Brian Langtry 79
Goals: Brian Langtry 38
Assists: Gavin Prout 48
PIM: Rich Catton 48
Looseballs: Bryan Safarik 98
Moneyballer: Brian Langtry 35.0Pts (5^th overall)

A rookie with a resume most pro vets don't own, Ilija Gajic comes into 2010 with hopes of improving Colorado's 7-9 regular season record.

Strength… Even though they were rocked by injuries, the Mammoth’s D was surprisingly strong in ’09, players stepping up while others were dropping like flies. Although no longer on the team, Ray Guze’s warrior like play in a must win game against the Edmonton Rush was the definition of stepping up when the chips were down (a trend with the Mammoth last year). Out of the game after breaking his thumb on his second shift against the Rush, Guze was out of his gear and uni, obviously unable to play and ready to watch the rest of the game from the stands. That is, until he heard that defender Rich Catton went down with a knee injury, also hitting the showers prematurely. Playing with only one hand on his stick, Guze geared up again and played the remainder of the game, inching out a 10-9 win and clinching the final post-season seed in the West. So yeah, no longer with the team, but damn, what a story from a guy that usually rubs opposing fans the wrong way. So this year? Already with a strong defensive nucleus built around Bruce Murray, John Gallant, Tom Ethington and Catton, coupled with the additions of Dave Morgan and rookie defenders Brad Richardson and Matt Wilson, the Mammoth are setup to sport another strong backcourt, so strong in fact that they released scrappy vet Matt Leveque and ’09 loosie leader Bryan Safarik.

Weakness… Although stats don’t always tell the whole story, the Mammoth’s franchise low 172 goals for pretty much summed things up last year. Colorado’s offense just didn’t get it done, it’s that simple. Actually, many felt even the year before there was a pretty evident decline in their O’s effectiveness, likely leading to the franchise dumping O coach Russ Heard and hiring former Coquitlam Jr. Adanacs’ head coach (and now current New West Jr. A assistant) Dan Perreault. Step two was of course the complete overhaul of their roster this past off-season, and although many pro fans seem to be undecided over the impact Ilija Gajic and company will have, we’ll tell you now, the Mammoth have upgraded large. No doubt the loss of Gavin Prout is huge, he’s still very much one of the sport’s top ball players, but in this league, you have to give up something good to get something good in return, and Ilija Gajic is about as good as you can get currently. Gajic is one of the biggest impact players in box lacrosse, period. Yes, the NLL is a different beast than the MSL and WLA, and Gajic has yet to play a single pro regular season minute, but Ilija is no ordinary rookie, having played and led in some of the biggest pressure situations during both the Mann and Minto Cup. He may have lost his second straight Mann this past summer, actually playing a pretty pivotal role in New West’s Game 7 choke, but few 24-year olds in the sport’s history have carried a load like Ilija has, and few ever will. He is the ultimate leader in the making, and although Colorado gave up a lot to get him, long term, he will be worth the price tag Steve Govett paid this off-season. Not sure we could be any more direct than that. Gajic is worth the fuss and will be a Mammoth favourite probably by this time next week.

Cory Conway brings a maturing game to an offense desperate for change. (Photo: Matt J. Wiater)

Newbie… Like a number of teams in the West, Colorado has several new vet faces, and although guys like Chad Culp and Peter Veltman will impact the team, their biggest newbie will likely be Cory Conway. After seeing his minutes, stats and pro rep more than double last year in Portland, Conway was a hot commodity in the Lumberjax’s dispersal draft, and should give the Mammoth some better looks on O. The best part is, he hasn’t even come close to reaching his pro potential, only 22 and growing into an even bigger goal scorer than he was playing junior in Victoria. 

Rookie… We already bigged up Ilija above, but Colorado still has a handful of rookies this year that should be handed some decent sized, big game responsibilities. The biggest difference makers will likely be Cliff Smith and Alex Gajic, both strong power forward type players that beef up Colorado on O right off the hop. Both should easily break the 20 (if not 30) goal barrier as rookies. In fact, although it’s hard to gauge since he missed his anticipated first season of WLA ball this past summer in Langley, Alex Gajic should push for the rookie scoring lead this winter as well. Just like we said with big bro Ilija, these guys are also definitely as good as advertised.

Stock rising… Please, please, please stop referencing Andrew Leyshon’s numbers from this past summer. The Burnaby Lakers team that was in front of him, and no offense to a lot of guys on that team, but they were straight up horrible and potentially the worst Sr. A team in the country. Although his game cooled down a bit during the second half of last winter, Leyshon was very solid for most of last year, easily his best pro season to date. Does the team have faith in him (a must have with a keeper at any level)? Well, with the overhaul Colorado went through this past off-season, do you really think they woulda hung onto a keeper they didn’t think was capable of giving them what they needed? You don’t renovate your entire washroom but leave an old crusty, eyesore of a toilet there, do you? You gut the whole crapper out and do it right! Leyshon is still in Denver cuz his ’09 play earned him that gig, so please, file those WLA numbers away, cuz they really only tell a small percentage of Leyshon’s past year.

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Edmonton Rush

Record: 5-11 (missed playoffs)
Points: Dan Teat 69
Goals: Dan Teat 28
Assists: Dan Teat 41
PIM: Jamie Floris 67
Looseballs: Ian Hawksbee 150
Moneyballer: Dan Teat 38.0Pts (3^rd overall)

At war with one another last year, can Merrill and Prout finally get the Rush to the playoffs in 2010? (Photo:Michael Martin)

Strength… Even though only the down-and-out Toronto Rock gave up more goals last year than the Rush (200), as odd as it might sound, their D is top level quality on paper, one of the best out there, even before getting a big upgrade through the likes of Brodie Merrill and Scott Stewart. They’ve got size, can move, play with a ton of jam and played probably more on-floor minutes than any other defensive unit in the league. And while some of the Portland imports are the ones catching all the buzz, look out for Ian Crashley, who bounces back into the Rush lineup after injuries kept him sidelined previously. His lanky Jim Veltman-like physic may fool you, but Crashley, similar to Veltman, is all game with zero filler, going for broke on every shift and playing with an intensity that will make you wonder why current Edmonton Rush coach Derek Keenan traded him from Portland to Edmonton two years ago in the first place (he did it to snag Disher). You’ll be hearing his name a lot this year, promise.

Weakness… Even though hopes are high for their O this season, similar to most teams in the West last year, offensive consistency was a major issue in ’09, the main reason why the Rush missed the playoffs yet again. They looked frustrated, unsure and unwilling during almost all 16 games last winter, and although names like Gavin Prout, Ryan Powell and Ryan Ward give them an immediate upgrade, chemistry issues have plagued this franchise for four straight years, and with 8 new offensive faces on their 23-man roster heading into the season, chemistry may once again be something the playoffless Rush deal with this year. The cancelation of their anticipated pre-season game against Minnesota on Friday night also won’t help them figure things out. With all that said though, on paper, their O should be miles better than anything we’ve seen from the boys in black and grey previous to 2010. One other area to keep your eye on will also be the Rush’s power-play, which has scored only 62 man-up goals over the past two seasons (Calgary had 68 last year alone). Keenan’s crew in Portland actually scored fewer power-play goals than the Rush last year, likely due in part to the absence of Dan Dawson in the lineup. Special teams have dictated success in this league for the past several years. Can the Rush overcome that huge hurdle as they search for a spot in the league’s “second season”?

Newbie… Well virtually the whole roster is new, but a couple less obvious impact new faces will likely be Dean Hill and Justin Norbraten. Hill, whose play declined in Minnesota, later likely leading to a deal that saw himself and Craig Point traded to Rochester, had an extremely strong summer playing for the Victoria Shamrocks, getting back to the point totals pro fans were more used to seeing from him during his first couple years with the Swarm. A motivated, healthy Dean Hill can still be a very dangerous pro player, the tools are definitely there. Norbraten, also formerly of the Swarm, was unable to commit to Minny last year, needing to be play his home dates closer to, well, closer to home (crazy concept, we know). He was probably a body Minnesota wasn’t too keen on having to move (ninth overall selection in the ’07 entry draft), because although pro fans have seen very little of Norbraten, most feel the potential with Justin is still pretty big. Hard to know for sure how he’ll fit in playing at this level, especially since he’s only been playing Sr. B ball in Alberta in recent summers, but don’t be shocked if the former PoCo Saint adds some good secondary pop to Edmonton’s offense. The Rush have two really nice wild cards in Hill and Norbraten.

Wielding the phone lines during trade talks like he used to as a player with his twig, Keenan has overhauled the Rush. (Matt J. Wiater)

Rookie… It might be tough for him to find minutes on the Rush’s deep D on a regular basis this year, but rookie defender Brett Mydske has turned a lot of heads at Edmonton’s training camp, coming off a solid summer playing junior ball for the New Westminster Salmonbellies (winning the BCJALL’s DOY and a defensive HM in the JOTY’s). A solid coverage defender, Mydske also has the smarts and athleticism to pick his spots igniting the press. Although offensive rookies Scott Tinning, Corey Small and Dane Stevens will likely have a bigger impact this year, look for Mydske a bit this season and more-so 2011 and beyond. The Rush are extremely excited about his future with the team.

Stock rising… He’ll likely start the year playing behind Matt Disher, but Brandon Atherton, who shares minutes with Chris Levis in Coquitlam, ultimately taking Levis’ spot on the Rush roster leading up to the start of the year, could factor into the season if Disher isn’t 100% from start-to-finish. No longer playing regular summer ball, Disher, who was actually pretty outstanding in Portland last year, has missed his fair share of pro minutes over the past couple seasons due to some nagging injuries. Considered a legit pro prospect, if Atherton finally gets some well deserved pro minutes this year, don’t be surprised if Keenan finds himself in the middle of a nice-to-have (which they usually aren’t) keeper “controversy”.

Although not many faces still remain, check out the Rush’s home field highlight package below…

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Minnesota Swarm

Record: 6-10 (missed playoffs)
Points: Sean Pollock 65
Goals: Aaron Wilson 31
Assists: Sean Pollock 39
PIM: Ryan Sharp 34
Looseballs: Ryan Sharp 89
Moneyballer: Aaron Wilson 21.5Pts (31^st overall)

Strength… The Mammoth were not the only D last year that faced their fair share of injuries on the backend, the Swarm running into a slew of injury issues themselves, and like Colorado, kept things together pretty well considering. Between losing an invigorated Darren Halls (who at times, along with Nick Inch, were an absolutely punishing force) and rebuilt Riley Kemp to season ending injuries, and players like captain Ryan Cousins, Ryan Sharp and Eric Pacey either not close to 100% or sidelined with injuries, the Swarm were as banged up and beaten as any team who’s faced severe injury issues in recent seasons. In fact, although likely not hobbled too badly, Minny also ended up losing both Andrew Watt and Richard Morgan during a recent exhibition game against the Mammoth, neither player expected to miss significant time heading into the season. At this stage it does appear the Swarm will be without Sharp and Halls for either all of or at least a majority of 2010, two significant losses that are a little easier to swallow with the addition of Scott Self, picked up in the Ryan Ward deal. At the time of the swap, which also saw Ryan Benesch brought over, the Swarm’s D didn’t seem like it needed much of an upgrade, but the addition of Self will no doubt pay off immediately (also considering Travis Hill is out with a torn, now healing, ACL). Add in the rarely talked about but always producing Noah Talbot and top of the D depth charts Jon Sullivan  to the names already mentioned above, and the Swarm D has some of the best depth anywhere in the league.

Zack Greer has arrived in Minnesota and is ready to get back to his box lacrosse roots, a likely rookie of the year candidate all season. (Photo: Minnesota Swarm)

Weakness… In what is turning out to be a reoccurring theme in our West previews, the Swarm too failed to live up to expectations last year due to an under par offense, which (again, like many teams in the West), was torn apart during the off-season. Similar to the varying opinions heading into the draft, the juries still semi-out on the impact Zack Greer, who hasn’t played regular competitive box lacrosse since his final season of junior in ’07 (which was also shortened due to some injury issues), will have in the pro indoor game. Like Insider said earlier this year though, he’ll be more than fine and likely really help improve the Swarm’s stagnant power-play, which scored just 32 goals and had a league worst 35.96PP%, a far cry from the unit that was closing in on 50 snipes in ’08. Ditto for Benesch’s impact, the former rookie of the year coming off arguably his strongest MSL campaign to date, scoring 72 points for a KW Kodiaks roster that isn’t exactly an offensive super power in Ontario. Although their O was a sore spot last year, one of the bigger positives was the play of Chicago Shamrox throwaway Kevin Ross, who stormed outta the gates last year with 14 points in his first three games in a Swarm sweater, finishing up with 43 on the season, definitely exceeding expectations most likely had for him. Although Minny’s O depth is seemingly a lot deeper this year, especially with the unexpected play from American rookie Kevin Buchanan in the second half of ’09, Ross is still a quality ball player that should again have his moments this season.

After a strong camp, Tim Campeau is ready to sink is 'teeth' into the season. (Photo: Matt J. Wiater)

Newbie… Off-season pickups Tim Campeau and Callum Crawford have been getting rave reviews after solid training camps and should be given every chance to produce to start the season, especially while head coach Mike Lines plays around with the lines to figure out the best fits for their overhauled offense. Crawford will be wearing his fifth pro sweater in as many years, but could find a spot playing behind Aaron Wilson and Sean Pollock, especially with Dan Marohl likely not factoring in the Swarm’s season this year, at least for now.

Rookie… Although the team is still young, the only true rookie that looks like he’ll have any impact this year is Greer, the Swarm now benefitting from stock piling a decent crop of under 30-year olds from past seasons. Two Americans that just miss keeping their rookie status after playing in addition to three games last year that could add some spark in 2010 are Joe Cinosky and Josh Funk. With some extensive D depth though, it might be tough to get too many high profile minutes, but both still remain solid prospects with a lot of upside.

Stock rising… ’08 was a pretty stellar year for tender Nick Patterson. ’09 was not. Patterson’s stock definitely took a hit last NLL season, especially after the Swarm were also able to lean on impressive backup Kevin Croswell when Patterson’s game started to decline. With that said though, Patterson had a good run in Victoria this past summer, one of the most active keepers out West and also one of the most successful. The Swarm and Shamrocks backstop has also had a solid training camp, playing with confidence and looking to get back to where he was during the Swarm’s breakout ’08 season.

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Washington Stealth

Record: 7-9 (lost West final 17-5 at Calgary)
Points: Colin Doyle 111
Goals: Colin Doyle 38
Assists: Colin Doyle 73
PIM: Eric Martin 89
Looseballs: Eric Martin 100
Moneyballer: Colin Doyle 23.5Pts (25^th overall)

Undrafted but not forgotten, the Stealth scoop up Victoria Shamrocks power forward Kory Kowalyk. (Photo: Richard Olson)

Strength… Even though Colin Doyle (that name listed above in every possible offensive category season high) is no longer in San Jose (or technically Everett), the Stealth’s main strength, although unproven as a complete unit, looks to be their offense. They tore apart the WLA scoring charts all summer, and played with some good chemistry, the Victoria Shamrocks trio of Lewis Ratcliff, Rhys Duch and Luke Wiles reunited for the winter season in Everett. Although none currently stack up to Doyle’s on-and-off floor reputation or offensive leadership, as a trio, they ain’t half bad, and their combined 275 WLA regular season point total is proof of that (and then some). The Mann Cup champion Brampton Excels leading threesome, led in part by Doyle (plus Josh Sanderson & Shawn Williams), accumulated 219 points during the regular season (albeit playing slightly fewer games than Vic’s trio). Their offense this year will definitely be more a run by committee approach, the same approach the Rock went with after dealing Doyle (and then even Sanderson, garnering record low results), versus their former captain pulling the strings, but with the firepower they currently have (add in a likely rebounding Jeff Zywicki), as long as they share the rock, the results will likely be vastly different than what’s transpired in TO. Or at least that’s gotta be the hope.

Weakness… As impressive as their everyday D unit is on paper and has been in the past, it was, at times, just not good enough last year, especially in shorthanded situations (sat bottom of the league with 51 PP goals against). While Doyle and Co. kept things moving up top, the Stealth’s D struggled, played undisciplined during the first half of ‘09, and didn’t fully recover until getting former captain Shaydon Santos and some other pieces back at around the trade deadline. Santos again looks unlikely to be able to suit up due to work commitments, and outside of some good prospect pickups in Matt Beers and Rhys Jones, and free agent signing Wade DeWolff, there hasn’t been a lot added in the pure D department (Tyler Codron remains sidelined rehabbing his knee, his long term 2010 NLL status is still up in the air). Will they respond, especially while playing with only four on the floor?

Newbie… Whether they use him on set O or have him going both ways like he did while in Portland part of the time, Peter Morgan should impact this roster on some level in 2010. Morgan sat third on the Lumberjax in scoring last year, potentially the team’s leading scorer had he played a full 16 game season. Always seemingly on the cusp of breaking out into the league’s elite, many close to the Stealth feel Morgan will be a big impact player for the team this winter.

Rookie… One of Insider’s highest ranked junior aged Western prospects, Victoria’s Kory Kowalyk somehow went undrafted at this past year’s entry draft, but was signed by the Stealth shortly after, impressing at camp and during scrimmage play. A big, strong power forward who’ll make his presence known in traffic, Kowalyk could very well be an All-Rookie Team member depending on what kind of minutes the Stealth hand him this year. A rare rookie route to the pro game, the Stealth could look like geniuses if the ignored prospect even has a small impact on their 2010 season.

A strong part-time rookie season last year, will Tyler Richards fully breakthrough in the NLL in 2010? (Photo: Matt J. Wiater)

Stock rising… He ultimately started last year as the Stealth’s backup, but ended it as their starter, Tyler Richards coming off his second Mann Cup appearance this past summer with the Bellies, Washington’s likely #1 heading into their first game this weekend against Colorado. Already considered by many in BC to be a top five tender in box (if not higher), Richards still needs to build his pro rep up in the NLL, ending ’09 on a sour note in that 17-5 thrashing against the Calgary Roughnecks and allowing 16 against in the West semi-final versus Portland (a shoot-out style affair to his credit). Although the Stealth have a very capable and proven Matt Roik also in the mix, Roik sharing the cage in New West with Richards as well, you’d have to think Washington will take that next full-time step with Richards this winter in order to achieve Tyler’s full pro potential. Or, similar to what Buffalo did during their most recent Cup win, will they alternate between the two for the full stretch?

Check out Stealth defensive leader and Team USA member Eric Martin disucssing Washington’s upcoming season (and hit this link for second year pro Paul Rabil’s take on 2010)…

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