NLL Best of 2008:Saves
November 15th, 2008 by Keely Knopp
Coming your way this week are the Top 10 Best Saves from 2008. Photos taken by Ross Prohaska, Martin Allinson, Jared Chandler and Dave Gottenborg. 
Archive for the ‘NLL’ Category
Dawson Signs with Boston Blazers
November 14th, 2008 by Sean Burns
Dan Dawson, who was selected in the NLL Dispersal Draft in June, has officially signed with the Boston Blazers, according to a release by the team.
The 6-foot-5, 225-pound forward scored 38 goals and had 48 assists a year ago for the Portland LumberJax, helping lead the Western Division champions to the Champions Cup final, where they fell to the Buffalo Bandits. The signing is still pending league approval. READ MORE »
A Busy Day For Junior
November 14th, 2008 by Sean Burns
For a guy that’s not going to be able to play while he recouperates from an infection that nearly cost him his leg (or worse), John Grant Jr. has certainly had his name in the news a lot of late.
Between news of his joining Rochester’s assistant coaching ranks and the word earlier today that he would also be helping coach at Six Nations (and the awesome news that he’d be helping out with the dance team auditions), we nearly forgot that Junior was about to join the Blogosphere!
Well, that fateful day is here, folks, as the Rochester PR department just fired off his first post of what is sure to be a prolific career. Check it out below: READ MORE »
Grant Jr. joins Arrows coaching staff
November 14th, 2008 by Lauren Ward
For most people, a major injury would be a good reason to relax a little, maybe take a break. Most people are not John Grant Jr.
First he took on a coaching role with the Rochester Knighthawks, aiming to help boost the 2007 league champs back up to their familiar post-season spot from behind the bench. Then came word that he’ll be becoming a regular blogger, which is a mind monopolizing time-consumer, believe you me. (Has anyone seen my Bedazzler?) Since exciting news should always come in threes, yesterday the new president of the Six Nations Arrows Express Jr. A lacrosse team announced that Mr. Grant will be joining Regy Thorpe on the Arrows bench staff. Last year the Arrows Express finished second in the league with a record of 16-3 and lost in the Ontario finals to the eventual Minto Cup champion Orangeville Northmen.
In other news:
- The Edmonton Rush are in Idaho this weekend to begin training camp: NLL.com
- Jimmy Quinlan may want to stick around for a week to take part in the Bob and Doug McKenzie impersonation contest: OurSportsCentral
- And the San Jose Stealth have done a major overhaul of their website: sjstealth.com
Prout, Nash sign with Mammoth
November 13th, 2008 by Bob Chavez
Who says there’s nothing going on in the world of lacrosse?
There’s stuff going on all around the National Lacrosse League if ya just look around. Some of it’s pretty exciting and some of it’s pretty pedestrian but as we head into the weekend, we know this much: It’s tough to not be jacked up as teams around the league open their training camps. So what’s up around the league? Well, the Toronto Rock announced they signed Lewis Ratcliff to a three-year deal. Out in Denver, the Mammoth signed captain Gavin Prout and goalie Gee Nash. And in New York, the Titans inked goalie Matt Vinc and activated Kurtis Wagar. Of course, there are a bunch of other signings as teams bring a bunch of bodies into camp. If you haven’t heard from your buddy and wondering how he did at at that tryout a few weeks ago, check the NLL’s transaction page to see if he’s gonna be in a camp this weekend.
- Roughnecks looking for anthem singers: CalgaryRoughnecks.com
- Mammoth launch Sticks 4 Schools: ColoradoMammoth.com
- Grant’s gonna blog for Knighthawks: Knighthawks.net
Colin Doyle: Almost Go Time!
November 12th, 2008 by Colin Doyle
Hey all, what’s up!
All is well on my end, getting ready for training camp and a week out in the Bay area to prepare for the season. I leave Sunday and we start camp the following Friday.
I am looking forward to getting out there and seeing what direction our team is going from a business side as well as from the team side. I have heard that we have moved into new offices and have some real top notch people working in the ticket department and the marketing department. That is good news, as they start to spread the good word of the Stealth and of the NLL. It is great to hear that we are heading in the right direction, I look forward to seeing it for myself.
I am also now going to be involved in helping start camps, clinics and leagues through the Stealth. My job next week will be to start putting things in place to have all of them up and functional for the winter season.
Click here to read the rest of this post and leave comments for Colin.
The latest on Tom Borelli
November 12th, 2008 by Lauren Ward
The Buffalo News has posted an update on veteran sportswriter and National Lacrosse League Hall of Famer Tom Borelli. Citing reports from family members, the newspaper reports that Tom is breathing with a respirator and unable to move his arms or legs. Doctors and family members are holding out hope that his condition will improve once his extensive swelling lets up.
The unthinkable occurred on the stairs leading up to the press box at All High Stadium behind Bennett High School this past weekend. Tom was covering a high school football game and reportedly hit his head and fell down a set of iron stairs on his way up to get first-half statistics. In order to get to the All High press box, reporters have to climb what is described as a ship’s ladder with two handrails, go through a trap door and then across a catwalk on the stadium roof. Some reporters have flat-out refused to use the press box because of it, while others have called it an accident waiting to happen.
All the best goes out to Mr. Tom Borelli, who in 1992 took a chance on a little team called the Buffalo Bandits and has been unwavering in his support and coverage of the Bandits and National Lacrosse League ever since. In 2005 the league created the Tom Borelli Award in his honour, and in 2007 Tom become the first writer to be inducted into the National Lacrosse League Hall of Fame.
Titans eye big success in 2009
November 11th, 2008 by Bob Chavez
If there’s any National Lacrosse League team that’s gonna hit the ground running, it’s the New York Titans.
With horses aplenty and enough adrenaline to fuel their own squad and them some, the Titans are a runnin’ and and gunnin’ machine. They take the transition game of the NLL to a whole new level and what frustrated opponents so much during last season is they had no idea who or what to defend. Casey Powell and Ryan Boyle created. Pat Maddalena cleaned up. Jarett Park schooled the corners for loosies and Rory Smith brought the physical presence to make sure respect was there. It all added up to a 10-6 season and an East Division semifinal appearance, but the run was over for the Titans when they lost to eventual champion Buffalo in that game.
So what’s up for 2009? New general manager and coach Ed Comeau says he’s still got a lot of things to learn about his team, but he’s loving what he sees so far.
Tom Borrelli in critical condition after fall
November 10th, 2008 by Paul Tutka
Long time and highly respected lacrosse journalist, Tom Borrelli (pictured with Buffalo coach Darris Kilgour at 2007’s Hall of Fame ceremony), of The Buffalo News, is currently in critical condition after falling down a flight of stairs during a high school football game at Buffalo’s All High Stadium over the weekend.
The Buffalo News is reporting that Tom sustained head and neck injuries from the fall, although it is unknown what may have caused it. Their latest report has Tom still in the hands of the Erie County Medical Center and in critical condition.
Borrelli is considered to be one of the NLL’s most respected and reputable journalists covering the sport, showing a passion and love for the game dating as far back as the Buffalo Bandits first season in the league in 1992. Tom was also the league’s first member of the media to be inducted into the NLL’s Hall of Fame last year, while “The Tom Borrelli Award” is handed out every season to the league’s writer of the year. READ MORE »
NLL Players React to Gary Gait’s Return
November 7th, 2008 by Joe Sweeney
Being in Hawaii last week for the lacrosse tournament was all work and no play. Alright fine, it was mostly play with a few moments of work involved. But while we were soaking up the sun, we didn’t forget about our NLL Insider readers and the recent news of Gary Gait’s return to the NLL.
We asked Geoff Snider, Brodie Merrill, Colin Doyle and Ryan Powell what they thought of the news of Gary’s return and their responses are in the video below.
Marechek headed to Hall of Fame
November 6th, 2008 by Bob Chavez
Props are due to Philadelphia Wings legend Tom Marechek, who this weekends heads a fine list of inductees into the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
Marechek, a four-time All-American and two-time NCAA champ at Syracuse University, played 12 seasons with the Wings in Philly and was named to the All-Pro team eight times. The B.C. native won four league titles with the Wings and he retired as the league’s No. 3 all-time scorer. The Wings gave him his due by making his jersey the first to be retired in team history and Marachek will join seven other inductees at ceremonies this Saturday in Hunt Valley, Md. You know that reading this will stir up some memories, so head on over to the message board join the others who already are talkin’ up the greatness of Hollywood. Indoors, outdoors, he did it all and it’s nice to see him get the recognition he deserves.
- Swarm re-signs Sharp: Peterborough Examiner
- Stroup signs with Portland: NLL.com
- Blazers games for $5 a piece? Check it: BlazersLacrosse.com
Knighthawks sign Joe Walters
November 6th, 2008 by Bob Chavez
When the Rochester Knighthawks got news of the season-ending injury to John Grant Jr., lots of folks wondered where the offense would come from for the 2009 National Lacrosse League season.
Yeah, the birds have Shawn Williams and Scott and Shawn Evans, who are very capable ballers in their own right. Aaron Wilson was added to the lineup and things were looking pretty good. Then Gary Gait traded his retirement suit for a Knighthawks jersey and now news outta Rochester is that hometown hero Joe Walters will be sportin’ the teal this winter. The Knighthawks signed the former Maryland All-American and current U.S. National team member to a one-year contract on Wednesday. No case needs to be made for the slick shooting skills of this lefty, but if there were any concerns about the Rochester offense before, there really shouldn’t be anymore.
Unless, of course, you’re wondering just how to find enough touches for all the sick sticks the Knighthawks are gonna have on the floor this winter. And if you ask new coach Paul Suggate, I’m bettin’ he’ll tell ya that’s a nice problem to have.
December Issue: Viva la Lacrosse Revolucion!
November 6th, 2008 by Jon Brand
Kevin Buchanan is one of many Americans looking to play in the NLL
When Paul Rabil climbed on TD Banknorth Garden’s stage as the San Jose Stealth’s second overall pick in the ’09 NLL Entry Draft this September, you could feel the winds of change start blowing.
When the draft was over hours later, it was as if a hurricane had blown through the 22-year-old league. For the first time in the NLL’s history, more than two Americans were selected in the Entry Draft’s first round (five total this year, to be precise); in all, more than 40% of the draftees were American. READ MORE »
December Issue: John Grant Jr. At a Lacrosse Crossroads
November 6th, 2008 by Bob Chavez
John Grant Jr. will miss the 2009 NLL season
Bumps, bruises and even broken bones and torn ligaments come and go, but the injury threatening the career of the lacrosse world’s brightest star came out of nowhere, sneaking up on John Grant Jr. and knocking him out of the 2009 NLL season.
This was no run-of-the-mill situation — it nearly cost him his life.
“I didn’t realize it at the time,” Grant says. “I was on three different antibiotics, but nothing worked. READ MORE »
December Issue: Inked Up With Buffalo’s John Craig
November 6th, 2008 by Sean Burns
John Craig celebrated Buffalo's 2008 title with a tatoo
This story appears in the December issue of Inside Lacrosse Magazine. To read other issue highlights, click here. To order a copy of the magazine, click here.
John Craig is a man of his word.
Before the Buffalo Bandits’ 2004 NLL championship game against Calgary, Craig, Buffalo’s equipment manager, vowed to get a tattoo if the Bandits won. They didn’t, so his skin stayed bare.
But after Buffalo beat Portland 14-13 for the 2008 title, Bandits players from the ‘04 team dared Craig to make good on his promise.
“No matter if I wanted one or not, I was going to get it because I had opened my big mouth,” Craig says. READ MORE »
Blazers are all fired up
November 4th, 2008 by Bob Chavez
The Boston Blazers are the new kids on the block of the National Lacrosse League but they’re coming in with a chip on their shoulder.
How do ya figure, you ask? How can the new kid be sportin’ any kind of attitude? “We are young and inexperienced for the most part,” says Blazers coach and general manager Tom Ryan. “A lot of guys on our team were last cuts on other teams and are guys with something to prove.” Talk about the mother of all motivators. Try having someone tell you you’re not quite good enough at what you do. Or maybe you are good enough, but your game just doesn’t jive with a vision. You gonna take that sitting down?
Of course not, and that’s what Ryan and the Blazers are counting on as they get ready for their first season in the NLL.
Knighthawks pursue Joe Walters
October 31st, 2008 by Bob Chavez
As if the Gary Gait buzz weren’t enough in Rochester, there’s talk now that the Knighthawks are hoping to sign hometown hero Joe Walters for the coming National Lacrosse League season.
Walters, who played his high school ball at nearby Irondequoit High, was a Tewaaraton Trophy finalist at Maryland and is a current member of the U.S. National team. The left-hander with the slick shot helped lead the Rochester Rattlers to their first Major League Lacrosse title this past summer. “I think he’d fit in very well on our team and in his hometown,” Knighthawks general manager Regy Thorpe told the Democrat and Chronicle. More than one team is apparently chasing Walters, who is a free agent after being a second-round draft pick of the Buffalo Bandits in 2007. He opted not to play, even after rights were traded to the Philadelphia Wings. Stay tuned to NLLInsider.com and we’ll keep ya posted on this development.
- Single-game Blazers tickets on sale Saturday: BlazersLacrosse.com
- Speaking of the Blazers, who are they? Examiner.com
It’s official: Gait’s a Knighthawk
October 30th, 2008 by Bob Chavez
Well, it’s official. Gary Gait is a Rochester Knighthawk.
Our own Paul Tutka broke the news more than two weeks ago and yesterday, it became official as the Knighthawks announced they’ve signed Gait to a two-year contract. Of course, the Knighthawks are all giddy about the news and Gait’s even happier to be suitin’ up again. The great thing about all this, however, is the debate that’s rockin’ the message boards. Can Gait recapture the form we’ve come to expect from the six-time National Lacrosse League MVP? Is he washed up? Is this a publicity stunt? Some fans out there even have the ‘nads to suggest Gait’s coming back only because Athan Iannucci broke the scoring record last season and Gait’s out to reclaim it.
Whatever’s going on under that lid of yours, the fact is Gait’s back and it’s got people talking — and excited — about the 2009 season.
- Swarm’s Achenbach to help kids carve pumpkins: MNSwarm.com
- Blazers to host free agent tryout camp: OurSportsCentral.com
LumberJax cast an imposing shadow
October 28th, 2008 by Bob Chavez
So what do you call the players on a lacrosse team who stand 6-foot-10, 6-8, 6-6 and 6-5? Well, “sir” would be a safe start.
But for our purposes, we’ll call ‘em the Portland LumberJax and lest you’re fooled by that 6-10 record they sported during the regular season last year, you can’t be anymore. Sure, the 1-5 start to last season didn’t really open eyes, and even the 5-5 mark the rest of the season didn’t really scare anyone. But they did enough to get into the playoffs and when they did, they won a pair of games to land in the National Lacrosse League title game, where they came up just a bit short against the Buffalo Bandits. But you know what they say about success. Get a taste of it and you want it even more.
So that’s what’s on the mind of these LumberJax as they get ready for 2009, but they’re gonna have to chase down that success without the services of one of the game’s most dominant forces in Dan Dawson.
Swarm wants more … much more
October 21st, 2008 by Bob Chavez
They’ve got their National Lacrosse League Rookie of the Year back, and they’ve got their NLL Defenseman of the Year back. It’s all good up there in Minnesota, right? Well, kind of.
Sure, the Swarm are coming off a 10-6 season which saw them in the playoffs for the third straight season. But for the third straight season, they took a first-round exit from the playoffs and that’s not the goal. Never is, and never will be. The Swarm are no longer just “happy to be here” and they’re looking for an answer to that three-year question but this year’s biggest challenge is how to do it without the stick of Andy Secore, who landed in Edmonton via the dispersal draft. So what’s a team to do? Minneosta general manager Marty O’Neill, who happens to be the reigning GM of the Year in the NLL, says this is the reason for training camps.
