NLL Insider

Q&A

Q&A with Josh Sanderson

With the single season assist record, six All-Pro appearances and a Champion’s Cup ring, the Toronto Rock’s Josh Sanderson is no stranger to greatness. These days, however, he’s also no stranger to battling it out for a playoff spot in the tough eastern division. On the eve of a major match-up between New York and Toronto, Shooter Sanderson talks offensive woes, trade rumours, and that other Glenn Clark incident.

This year, just like the past few years, the Rock are right in the middle of a playoff hunt. How much importance are you guys placing on this game versus New York?
It’s huge, actually. We’re putting a lot of importance on it because it’s a tiebreaker in the division and everybody in the east at the top end is winning so we have to keep pace.

You’ve beaten the Titans once before this season, what are the keys to winning this game?
They’re a high-scoring team so we’re going to try to minimize their chances. Last game we played against them we played one good half and they really outplayed us for a half so we want to try to play a full 60 minutes.
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Q&A

Q&A with Edmonton Rookie, Steve Hutchins

Steve Hutchins came into this year as the first pick in the second round, No. 15 overall in the 2007 NLL Entry Draft. Edmonton were slotted to pick No. 20 overall, but moved up in the draft to select the Whitby forward by trading to Boston Dan Finck and their No. 20 pick (Keegan Davidson).

When I talked to former Rush head coach Paul Day after their 2008 camp, he said he expected Hutchins to play a depth role, but noted to watch out if he got in.

“He is young but he may surprise some people and, who knows if he gets into some action we may never take him out,” said Day.

Hutchins got that opportunity in Edmonton’s last game when the team’s top scorer Mike Accursi was sick. Hutchins not only cracked the line-up, he also ended up on the powerplay and recorded one goal, six points in Edmonton’s first victory of the season, a 9-7 win over Portland.

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Q&A

Q&A with Steve Toll

With a week off to get ready for the third all-star appearance of his career, 2007 transition player of the year Steve Toll (who talks about as fast as he runs) discusses Rochester’s rough start, the looming trade deadline, and Jim Moss’s ugly feet.

You guys have had a pretty up-and-down start to the season, haven’t been able to get a lot of momentum going. Is a week off something you could use right now or would you rather be back out there playing after a big win over Chicago?
I think overall we’d like to be out there playing, but a week off is always good. We have a few injured bodies, Regy Thorpe and a couple other guys have a few bumps and bruises so it’s always good to get a week off here and there and stay with the family for a weekend because we’re travelling for 16 weeks straight. I think it’s just a process of starting out a little slow and having, you know, kind of a championship hangover right now. We just have to work our way through it and become a team and we’ll be fine.
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Q&A

Q&A with Buffalo rookie, Brandon Swamp

Brandon Swamp attended SUNY Potsdam for a year, and then waived his collegiate NCAA eligibility for the opportunity to turn pro and join the National Lacrosse League (NLL).

He was selected No. 18 overall in last year’s NLL Entry Draft, and via trade, ended up in Buffalo. The Bandits traded their 2008 first-round NLL Entry Draft selection and their No. 27 overall 2007 NLL Entry Draft selection to Minnesota in order to acquire Swamp.

Buffalo GM and head coach Darris Kilgour knew what he was getting in the trade. Kilgour also coaches Swamp during the summer with St. Regis in the OLA.

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Q&A

Q&A with Dan Dawson

After the Lumberjax suffered an acute case of the dreaded sophomore slump, the ‘07 offseason became dedicated to finding an answer to the Portland faithful’s prayers. Enter the all-star, all-pro, all-excellent Dan Dawson. With the Jax on the upswing looking for their fourth win of the season, Dawson discusses team chemistry, the Portland Canadian embassy, and his goalie-turned-defenseman younger brother Paul.

The Jax got off to a bit of a rough start this season. What were you guys struggling with in those early games?
I think confidence and chemistry were the two biggest downfalls we had early on in the season. There’s a lot of new guys on the team and I didn’t think the chemistry was there in the beginning, like you said we got off to an extremely slow start. In a few games versus Colorado and Minnesota where we lost in overtime I think we were just happy to be in those games, we didn’t really believe we could win them. I think that last weekend versus a great Calgary team the confidence was there, and with every win we have it’s getting higher and higher. If you’re not confident you’re not going to be successful in this league.
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Q&A

Q&A with Portland Rookie, Cory Conway

Cory Conway was selected No. 16 overall in the 2007 NLL Entry Draft and the forward has slowly worked himself into the rotation in Portland (3-5).

He cracked the line-up February 2, and scored his first NLL goal and three points in an 11-10 victory over Edmonton. He has played three games since and now has four goals and six points in four games. The ‘Jax have won three of those four games that he’s played.

6’2”, 195lbs, Conway actually still has another year of Jr. left. Named Victoria’s rookie of the year in 2006, Conway then led the Victoria Jr. A Shamrocks in scoring this past summer with 68 points in 17 games. He put up a team high 14 goals and had 27 points in eight playoff games.

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Q&A

Q&A with Rob Van Beek

With the clock ticking down on the much-hyped Eastern division match-up between the Minnesota Swarm and Philadelphia Wings, Mr. Saturday Night himself Rob Van Beek takes a few minutes to talk team morale, in-game antics, and the real reason his penalty minutes dropped so sharply from ‘06 to ‘07.

I posed a similar question to Ryan Cousins yesterday so I’ll give you a chance to answer. If I were a betting person what are the reasons I should bet on the Wings to win tonight?
We’re 4-0, we’re on the rise, and we’re the better team!

Last week we saw a comeback against Colorado that, no offense, we probably wouldn’t have seen from last year’s team. What is it about this year’s squad that’s got you winning those games?
It just seems like the whole team morale is that even if we’re down a goal or something like that we still have the feeling that we’re going to come out with the win. We just keep plugging through and staying on our game plan and by the end of the game Colorado ended up running out of gas. We kept doing what we were doing and it ended up paying off for us in the end.
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Q&A

Q&A with Ryan Cousins

As captain of the Minnesota Swarm and scorer of two overtime game-winning goals, 2007 defensive player of the year Ryan Cousins has led his team to a 6-1 start that included a record-setting game against the New York Titans. On the eve of the match-up between the top two teams in the East, the all-star defender talks clutch goal-scoring, winning tight games, and how he feels about those fans in Philadelphia.

Over at Insider we have a pick-ems contest running to see who can correctly predict the winners of the most games. What are the reasons we should all pick the Swarm for tomorrow night?
We need to redeem ourselves after last weekend, after that game against Buffalo. We didn’t play well at all against Buffalo, we didn’t play Swarm lacrosse. We’re due for another good game of Swarm lacrosse.
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Q&A, Rookie Report

Q&A with Rochester Rookie, Matt Lyons

Matt Lyons was the No. 11 overall pick in the 2007 NLL Entry Draft by Boston, and then selected No. 13 overall by Rochester in the dispersal draft.

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Q&A

Q&A with Randy Daly

With the Edmonton Rush stuttering off to another 0-4 start it can’t be easy to stay positive about the season — unless, of course, you’re the consummate team player Randy Daly. The Edmonton forward discusses what’s wrong with the Rush, what’s right with the Rush, and how he feels about his name not making the headlines.

In the offseason there was some excitement surrounding the Edmonton Rush and some of the players you picked up, but now you’re off to an unfortunately familiar start. What is it that’s plaguing you guys and keeping you from getting those wins?
I don’t think it’s necessarily the personnel or players we have on the team, I think it’s just a matter of there having been so many changes that we haven’t really come together as the team that we should be right now. I know that sounds like a very vague answer but that’s really what it is. We have to learn to play as a complete unit and outside of the game against Colorado, which I know we lost, I don’t think we’ve done that very well. I wish there was one definitive answer outside of that but truly to me that’s the thing that stands out the most. We need to start playing as a unit and we need to start trusting one another and just coming together as a team. Outside of that I think there’s a number of other things that you could probably point a finger at but they’re nothing more than excuses.
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Q&A

Q&A with Scott Self

After a busy summer spent adding another Mann Cup ring and Defenseman of the Year title to his impressive collection, Scott Self found himself bounced halfway across the continent in the wake of the CBA negotiations, and Arizona’s loss became Chicago’s gain. The All-Star defender talks rental players, facial hair, and where he’d really like to be at the start of next season.

With all of the turmoil between the players and the league last fall, did it ever cross your mind that you could end up in a dispersal draft?
No, not at all actually. It was a big shocker. Since we’d been there, because the attendance had never been great we’d always thought that maybe there would come a day where we’d have to pack our bags and leave but I didn’t think it’d be this year. Especially after the year we had last year.

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Q&A

Q&A with Casey Powell

An All-Star forward with an All-American pedigree, New York Titans captain Casey Powell has made a triumphant return to the world of indoor lacrosse. The field phenom-turned-indoor All-Pro takes time out to discuss the Powell spotlight, his Titan hopes, and being an American in a Canadian’s game.

So obviously an expansion franchise comes with a few difficulties. Looking at last season compared to where you are now how has the team developed?
I think we came into the season with a full head of steam and with a lot more confidence than last year, but after dropping two straight it puts us in a similar situation to where we were last season. It’s time to get on with our winning ways and stop thinking of ourselves as a franchise and more as a team that needs to pull together.
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Q&A

Q&A with NLL Rookie of the Month, Merrick Thomson

Yesterday, the league named Merrick Thomson as the NLL “Rookie of the Month” for January.

The No. 2 overall selection in the 2007 NLL Entry Draft, Thomson led all rookies last month with eight goals and 17 points in just three games. His current pace would put him at 90 points on the season and set an all-time NLL rookie scoring record.

When I talked to Thomson last night, however, he said he wasn’t really concerned about points or accolades but rather winning. He also talked about his career outside lacrosse and how he’s working on earning a Master’s degree.

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Q&A

Q&A with Nick Patterson

Off to a 3-0 start as the undisputed number one goaltender of the Minnesota Swarm, Nick Patterson has plenty to brag about. But Nick Patterson doesn’t really do that. Instead, the former all-pro discusses goalie fights, being underrated, and a save he made in Calgary.

In most team sports, goalies are kind of considered to be the weirdest guys out there. Does that hold true for lacrosse goalies?
I’ve met some weird goalies before in hockey and lacrosse, so yeah lacrosse goalies can definitely be weird. A lot of people think we’re weird just because we stand in front of the ball. I think that’s why a lot of people think we’re a different breed.

What are some of your quirks?
I have a few superstitions here and there. The main one is that after I get my gear on for warm-up and stuff I stay out of the dressing room until the end of the game. That’s probably the big one. I just wait in the hallway or by the bench or whatever. Maybe sometimes I’ll wear the same clothes under my gear each week.
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Q&A

Q&A with Minnesota Rookie, Craig Point

Craig Point is one of the league’s top players. He’s also a great guy with a focus on his family. In this Q&A, Craig talks about the person behind the gear and his largest lacrosse influence.

As the No. 3 overall selection in the 2007 NLL Entry Draft, Point’s lacrosse accomplishments have been well documented. He led Onondaga Community College (OCC) to its first ever National Championship and helped capture the Minto Cup with the Six Nations in 2007. Point also led the Iroquois Nationals in scoring at the last World Indoors.

The right-handed forward from Ohsweken, Ontario, has looked really solid thus far in the pro league as well. Playing within Minnesota’s team-offense, Point’s fit in right away and has been a key contributor to the Swarm’s quick start. 

The 22-year-old tallied eight points in his first ever NLL game, and now sits third on the team in points scored with six goals and 14 points.

Minnesota sits atop the East Division standings in a tie with Philadelphia who are also 3-0 to start the season. READ MORE »

Q&A

Q&A with Jake Bergey

After a brief offseason detour to the Boston Blazers roster, Philadelphia fan favourite Jake Bergey is back with the Wings and lighting up the scoreboard with 13 points in just two games. Heading into the third match-up of what looks like it could be his biggest season in recent memory, Bergey talks new coaches, old championships, and how for him it was Philly or nothing.

To start this season off you’ve had a pair of monster games. In two games you’ve scored over 1/3 of the goals you scored all last season. Do you feel like everything is just clicking for you so far this year?
Yeah I do. I think we have some young guys on the team that defenses are really happy to key in on and I think that gives me a little more opportunity to score some goals myself.

What, if anything, are you doing differently this season?
I don’t know if I’m doing anything different, to be honest with you. I just think it’s an all-around confidence for our team. The coach has put me back on powerplay this year which really shows that he’s got trust in me and my scoring abilities and so far it’s worked out.
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Q&A

Q&A with John Grant Jr.

There are plenty of people who have plenty of reasons to want to leave last season behind, but reigning MVP, scoring leader, and NLL champion John Grant Jr.? The Rochester Knighthawk talks psychological rivals, maturing as a player, and starting each season fresh.

What kind of pressure are the Knighthawks under, with being the returning champs and being called the team to beat by everyone else in the league?
I don’t know if there’s added pressure. Each season we put quite a bit of pressure on ourselves because we’re usually rated to be one of the top teams in the league in every pre-season so we put more pressure on ourselves just because we feel we should be near the top of the league.

Up until last year you guys were kind of seen as being always the bridesmaids. Do you feel like you got that monkey off your back?
Yeah it definitely helps when you finally win. There’s nothing like a championship. We’re not happy unless we win the championship and we got one last year so we’re definitely happy.
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Q&A, Rookie Report

Q&A with Colorado Rookie, Dylan Llord

The Mammoth are carrying just one true rookie on their roster in 2008, and that’s Dylan Llord.

Colorado selected Nathan Sanderson at the No. 26 spot in this year’s Entry Draft and in the next round they picked up Dylan Llord. The two forwards battled it out in camp for one spot on the team and Dylan won out.

“Dylan Llord came to camp with all the tools that make a successful NLL player,” said Colorado GM Steve Govett. “He has an outstanding stick with a great shot, from both outside and inside, and was always around the loose balls. We have heard it been said that he might be the next Craig Conn out of St. Catharines. His game is multi dimensional…”

As I noted in my Rookie Report today, however, it’s still a long road for those young guys to crack the line-up even if they impress at camp. While mature players like Jordan Hall, Merrick Thomson and Craig Point are having immediate impacts, most rookies are just trying to catch up with the speed of the pro game.

Dylan’s worked hard to earn himself a roster spot and he’s trying to take in as much as he can to become a regular in this league. READ MORE »

Q&A

Q&A with Colin Doyle

With his turbulent Toronto Rock history one year and 2,500 miles behind him, Stealth captain Colin Doyle talks about his new role, pink jerseys, and starting over in San Jose.

The last few years the San Jose Stealth have been able to kind of fly under the radar. Have you lost that this year?
I hope so. I mean it’s always nice to fly under the radar because you can kind of sneak up on people but after the season we had last year I don’t expect to sneak up on anybody. It’s no secret that we’ve made some nice additions, along with everybody else in the league, so no I really don’t think we’ll fly under the radar. People will be prepared to play us and we’re going to have to play our best to beat everybody on every night. Not quite sure that people are talking about us yet in the upper echelon but they certainly know about the Stealth and can expect a tough game every time they see us.
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Q&A

Q&A with Jim Veltman

He’s been called Scoop, the Neckman, and the greatest of all time. The undisputed loose ball king and captain of a dynasty, Jim Veltman is preparing to go by a new title: coach. On the precipice of the last season opener in his illustrious playing career, the Toronto Rock captain discusses Glenn Clark, aches and pains, and what almost was in Colorado.

With the season opener approaching, what’s the mood been like at practice and in the dressing room?
There’s a lot of optimism surrounding the season. Definitely. We have probably seven or eight new guys on our 23-man roster and with new changes and new guys it brings energy and new hope. Last year wasn’t exactly a year to remember for the Toronto Rock so we’re anxious to turn that around. With some of the changes and the direction that we’re going in we like what we see. A lot of the players are very pleased with their performances. A lot of people came into camp really well trained, in good shape, and we’ve had a very competitive camp. With the changes that were made there were jobs lost, but the team and the coaching staff and the management want nothing more than to contend again. That’s what we’re looking for.

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