Archive for the ‘NLL Notebook’ Category


NLL Notebook

Changes shifting outlook for Buffalo Bandits

October 5th, 2009 by Bob Chavez

Buffalo Bandits fan is a bit spoiled, and rightly so. The last time the Bandits didn’t qualify for the National Lacrosse League playoffs was way back in 2002 but since then, they’ve celebrated a 2008 title and come real close with title-game losses in 2004 and 2006. So when last year’s edition got off to a 7-1 start then saw that melt away with a 3-5 mark down the stretch and a loss to New York in the East semifinals, it left a bad taste. Coach Darris Kilgour was none too pleased and he vowed changes, starting with the removal of himself as general manager. But he didn’t stop there. READ MORE »

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NLL Notebook

NLL All Star series shaping up for Australia

September 18th, 2009 by Bob Chavez

We’re just a little more than one month away from the National Lacrosse League All Star Series in Melbourne, Australia, on Oct. 23 and 24. Got your tickets yet? It’d be a long haul, no doubt about it, but if you are making the trip or are fortunate enough to be living Down Under already, you gotta know it’s shaping up to be a dandy. Several NLL players have been announced as participants on the event’s official Web site and the names popping up include Gary Gait, Mark Steenhuis, Matt Vinc and Casey Powell. Turn the page to see who else is planning to run and learn a bit more about the event. READ MORE »

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Titans settling into Florida’s sunshine, plus the links

August 21st, 2009 by Bob Chavez

The National Lacrosse League Titans are settling into Orlando, Fla., just fine, thank you. Team president Steve Donner says ticket sales are moving along briskly he was pleasantly surprised to have 200 season ticket packages sold in the first 48 hours after the team’s initial news conference to announce its arrival. It’s especially cool, he says, because the team really hasn’t even kicked into promo gear, so he’s pretty optimistic of what’s to come once the media blitz is unleashed. The team’s new Web site is up and running, in case you haven’t seen it, and you can also be among the first to load up on Titans gear, which also is up for sale at the site. READ MORE »

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NLL players past and present keeping busy, plus the links

August 14th, 2009 by Bob Chavez

So it’s official. The New York Titans are moving to Orlando, Fla., but that’s not really news. We’ve known about that for some time. So let’s move on to something else that’s official: Lacrosse players are cool, and busy. That’s especially official for one former National Lacrosse League baller and another current one. Chris Panos didn’t play this past season after the Chicago Shamrox folded up tents, and Bruce Codd of the world champion Calgary Roughnecks is keeping himself busy this summer by playing, and coaching, for championships. Turn the page to find out what’s up. READ MORE »

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NLL Notebook

Merrill eager to help Rush get back on track, plus the links

July 31st, 2009 by Bob Chavez

Derek Keenan has been through this before in the National Lacrosse League, so when he again found the challenge staring him in the face, he went back to what worked the first time. After building the now-defunct Portland LumberJax into a perennial contender, Keenan finds himself behind the bench for the Edmonton Rush as coach and he wasted little time in getting Brodie Merrill in a Rush uniform. Why Merrill? Well, Keenan dropped names like Gretzky and Jordan when telling the Edmonton media about Merrill’s impact on the game. READ MORE »

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NLL Notebook

Busy offseason of NLL moves isn’t all bad news, plus the links

July 24th, 2009 by Bob Chavez

I can’t remember a busier off-season for the National Lacrosse League, and I’m not even talking about player moves. We’ve already had a dispersal draft and a bunch of player trades, but we’ve also had no fewer than three teams make major moves. The Portland LumberJax have sadly folded, the San Jose Stealth are looking for new life in Everett, Wash., and now the New York Titans are on the verge of moving to Orlando, Fla. Is this a good or bad thing? Well, it certainly isn’t great, but it doesn’t have to be all bad because today’s NLL has more than one success story of franchises that have indeed found greener grass on the other side of the fence.  READ MORE »

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NLL Notebook

Toronto Rock eyes return to National Lacrosse League glory, plus the links

July 17th, 2009 by Bob Chavez

Come to think of it, it really hasn’t been that long since the National Lacrosse League glory days of the Toronto Rock. It was in 2005 when Colin Doyle had 5 goals and 3 assists to lead Toronto past Arizona for the Champion’s Cup. Problem is, it’s all about perspective. Because that 2005 title was the team’s fifth in seven seasons, so the bar had been set pretty high. Yet since that last title, the Rock have stumbled through the last four seasons with a combined record of 27-37 and just two playoff berths. Well, if new owner Jamie Dawick has any say in the matter, this playoff drought is about to end. Soon. READ MORE »

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NLL Notebook

Grant returns in glorious fashion, plus the links

July 10th, 2009 by Bob Chavez

For not having any games going on this week in the National Lacrosse League, it sure was a busy one. Dispersal draft, trades, signings, releases and new coaches. It’s enough to make a head spin, that’s for sure, but the prize for top story of this week has gotta be the return of John Grant Jr. His battle back from a near-fatal medical situation has been well-chronicled, but Junior was back in action Thursday night, and he wasn’t just happy to be there. Dude poured in 3 goals and 2 assists for a 5-point night in Peterborough’s 16-4 thrashing of St. Regis. READ MORE »

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NLL’s new boss gets a solid endorsement, plus the links

July 3rd, 2009 by Bob Chavez

Oh, where to start? Lotsa news coming outta the National Lacrosse League this week, but the biggest had to be the announcement that George Daniel’s got the full-time gig as boss of the NLL. It wasn’t the biggest surprise, given Daniel’s been involved with the league in various capacities since 2001. He’s been interim commissioner since Jim Jennings stepped down just after last season started and speaking of Jennings, he gave Daniel a ringing endorsement via a personal blog earlier this week. But what about all that other news? NLL Down Under? Gajic going pro? Dispersal Draft? Toronto Rock’s new owner? READ MORE »

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NLL Notebook

Wings working hard to push NLL in Philly, plus the links

June 26th, 2009 by Bob Chavez

So the big news out of the National Lacrosse League this week didn’t include anything about the players. At least not current players. NLLInsider.com broke the news on two front office stories this week, the first being that Duane Jacobs stepped down from as coach of the Minnesota Swarm. And yesterday, Philadelphia Wings coach Dave Huntley became the team’s general manager. So while the rumors circulate about where Dewey may end up, Huntley’s got his hands full in Philly but he also knows he has plenty of help as The Gloucester County Times breaks down how guys like Athan Iannucci and Geoff Snider help pimp the game’s popularity to the uncoverted. READ MORE »

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