NLL Insider

The Beat

Curt Styres: man about town

It’s hard to instinctively like a man who lives in a 21,000 sq. foot mansion. Unless you’re trying to get invited over on Superbowl Sunday, since he does have that in-house theatre with ten reclining leather chairs. Even so, you’re a lot less likely to find yourself thinking “oh how nice for him” when you could be reminding yourself that he’s probably got a garage bigger than your entire house. But there’s a reason that today’s Democrat and Chronicle article on Mr. Curt Styres is nearly 3000 words long. READ MORE »

The Beat

What if Legein had spent summers playing lacrosse?

When Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Stefan Legein announced his retirement from hockey at the age of 19, before his first pro training camp had even begun, hockey parents everywhere began to panic. What if their snowflakes eventually grow tired of wearing skates to bed and playing hockey 398 days out of the year, walking away from million dollar salaries and the fame and endorsement deals that come along with a spot in the pros (yes, even occasionally in Columbus) to work at a pizza place in Oakville? Well, as long as they’re happy, right? Oh ho ho. Wayne Gretzky to the rescue. In today’s quote that I have taken out of context, the Great One recommends enrolling your children in indoor lacrosse. Maybe the next time an NHL prospect feels like walking away from the show in favour of a low-paying job, the NLL can be there to mouth the words call me.

• Indoor lacrosse coming to Sunrise, with bonus article comment predicting ‘epic fail’, possibly due to lack of shuffleboard: Business of Sports
• Knighthawks re-sign Scott Evans for three years: TSN
• Nick Cotter and his disbelief are blazing a trail to Boston: newsdurhamregion.com
• And you can go ahead and blame the Victoria Shamrocks for not being able to see the Mann Cup battled out on a dirt floor: Times Colonist

The Beat

The NLL’s very own Knight Rider

Anyone who ever laid eyes on the Six Nations Arrows Express truck at Minto 2006 had to figure it was only a matter of time until this happened. Donner is way out, Styres is way in, and the Rochester Knighthawks have pimped the hell out of their ride.

What you see here is a Ford F-650, half K-Hawks, half Amerks, all beast. All that’s missing is Troy Bonterre’s mug painted across the hood. Love it or hate it, after all the uncertainty Knighthawks fans had to endure last season you can’t deny that it’s nice to see some promotion going on already. And imagine, won’t you, the marketing-mobiles this could inspire a few of the other NLL teams to roll out. READ MORE »

The Beat

Hey JT, has anyone asked you about retirement yet?

You’ve got questions and he’s got answers: this month in the IL Fan Zone John Tavares will be telling you everything you want to know about his NLL championships, leading the league in all-time scoring, his six Mann Cups, dealing with young Toronto Rock fans at his day-job, not laughing at Mark Steenhuis’s hair, and whatever other aspect of his record-breaking career you can think to ask about. Submit early, submit often, and check back for the answers both online and in an upcoming issue of the magazine.

• And from the imagine if it was Shanny that said this files, Tracey Kelusky opened up about his good friend and summer ball teammate John Grant to the Calgary Sun, noting that ‘we’re losing our Crosby for a long time’.
• Got a few extra minutes? Head over to vote in the Inside Lacrosse LAXIE Awards
• Got a few extra dollars? See what you can do for Savilla Eliuk

The Beat

NLL happenings in the past two days

In most recent player movement the Edmonton Rush sent post-dispersal trade pick-up Matt Brown to the Portland Lumberjax and in return received forward Spencer Martin and however many homeless men are currently living in his hair.

Yesterday the Rochester Knighthawks signed franchise player Steve Toll to a four-year contract, pending league approval. The Boston Blazers inked Peterborough Lakers forward Aaron Grayson to a one-year deal, the Calgary Roughnecks signed goaltender Ryan Avery as well as entry draft pick-ups and Victoria Jr. Shamrock products Joe Vetere and Joel Henry to one year deals, and the San Jose Stealth signed draft pick-ups Nick O’Hara and Trevor Wagar as well as Johns Hopkins forward Michael Doneger and University of Delaware transition player Brett Manney.

• A look back on the glory day of the Nanaimo Timbermen: Nanaimo Daily News
• Go vote for the NLL’s finest in the Inside Lacrosse LAXIE Awards

The Beat

Savilla Eliuk could use a little help

Even with all the rivalries between cities, the rough nature of the game, the legends about Philly fans and poor Stephen Hoar, the lacrosse community has proven itself to be one of the best time and time again and ladies and gentlemen of the lacrosse world, here’s one more chance to do so.

Savilla Eliuk is now in end-stage renal failure, which is exactly as dire as it sounds. As you sit here reading this your kidneys are likely functioning at 100%. Because of a diagnosis that came in her early 20’s and has since progressed, Savilla’s kidneys function at 4%. Even with the life-sustaining therapy of peritoneal dialysis, at their very best her kidneys achieve 14%. There is no way around it: Savilla needs a kidney transplant. Two years ago she was put on the kidney donation waiting list in British Columbia but the wait time is 8 years. In short, that is too long. READ MORE »

The Beat

Weekend headlines

• Before there was the 2006 championship-winning Canadian field team led by John Grant Jr, there was the 1978 championship-winning Canadian field team led by John Grant Sr: Peterborough Examiner
• Continuing the theme of families and lacrosse championships, how many forehead-shaped dent marks do you think there are at the top of the Dawson family’s doorways? Oakville Beaver
• And do they really play lacrosse in Beverly Hills? Because that’s the one part of the new 90210 that I just can’t believe: Baltimore Sun
• Joe Vetere to try pulling double-duty this season: Calgary Sun
• Roughnecks sign another Ratcliff: Calgary Herald
• Hoffman Estates hope that by adding a new pub you’ll be too drunk to notice how inconveniently located the Sears Centre is: Daily Herald
• And be sure to vote for the NLL’s best in the Inside Lacrosse LAXIE Awards

The Beat

There’s more to Grant than lacrosse

The news out of the lacrosse world on Monday was as stunning as it was sad. The lacrosse career of John Grant Jr. is on hold through at least late 2009, maybe even for good.

Huh? Didn’t we just see Junior wrap up his second straight MVP Major League Lacrosse season with the Rochester Rattlers? Didn’t we just see Junior help his Peterborough Lakers take the Brampton Excelsiors to a Game 7 in the Major Series Lacrosse finals? And didn’t we just see Grant Jr. put up another monster National Lacrosse season, scoring 92 points?

Yeah, we did. But we’ve also just seen that John Grant Jr. is human.

READ MORE »

The Beat

Saturday headlines

A quick look at all the news you can use today:

Former Toronto Rock draft pick Tyler Gibbons has snagged himself a 2-year deal with the Edmonton Rush. It’s been a good summer for Gibbons, who’s coming off a recent President’s Cup win with the Owen Sound Sr. B Woodsmen. Gibbons was originally selected 15th overall in 2005, a year that saw just one rookie crack the Rock roster: open tryout product Rob Marshall.

Brad Banister has told the Calgary Herald that come Sunday he’ll be looking to add a left-handed D/T man to his team. Not sure what position he plays, but criminal charges have been dismissed so Kyle McPherson is now available.

And, of course, tonight is game two of the Mann Cup finals, 7:30 PM EST at the Powerade Centre in Brampton. The Excelsiors will be working to extend their lead while the Bellies are looking for a little redemption. If you can’t be there you’ll want to be here because barring any technical disasters I am going to live blog this mother.

The Beat

Grant: ‘I’ve had better days’

As NLLInsider.com first reported last week, Rochester Knighthawks/Peterborough Lakers/Rochester Rattlers star John Grant Jr. had emergency surgery for an infection that was spreading through is body.

Knighthawks general manager Regy Thorpe is confident Junior will be healthy in time for the start of the National Lacrosse League season and on Monday, NLLInsider.com caught up with Grant, who is still in a Peterborough hospital. “I’ve had better days,” he said on the telephone. Junior traced the infection back to his Major League Lacrosse game with the Rattlers against the Chicago Machine and said the pain grew steadily more intense as he continued to play. His elbow was swollen “to the size of a basketball” and the pain spread from there to his back and leg. It got so bad the night before his Major Series Lacrosse Game 7 with the Lakers against Brampton that he didn’t sleep. “I was tossing and turning all night,” he said.

READ MORE »

The Beat

Woodsmen win Presidents Cup, Rebels take Founders

While Jr. A and Sr. A are still slugging it out to see what teams will get their names engraved on the top prizes in the game, Jr. B and Sr. B have recently crowned their champions. Congratulations to the Owen Sound Woodsmen, who left no room for doubt in their 11-5 win over the Sherwood Park Outlaws Saturday to take home the Presidents Cup. Congratulations also go out to the dominant Six Nations Rebels, who followed up an undefeated regular season with their second Founders Cup in a row, sneaking by the Guelph Regals 8-7. READ MORE »

The Beat

Saturday night scores

Last night in Major Series the St. Regis Indians held off a late third-period comeback and fought off elimination, winning game four 10-9 over the Peterborough Lakers. The series now stands at 3-1 for Peterborough. John Tavares led the Indians with six points on two goals and four assists, while Kevin Dostie had two and one and Kyle Schmelze scored what would end up being the game-winner at ten minutes into the third. Mike Thompson earned the win in net for the Indians, and back-up goaltender Daylin Adams played almost the entire third period after Thompson was tossed out for illegal equipment. Josh Wasson and Josh Gillam scored three apiece for the Lakers, who were missing John Grant as well as Scott and Shawn Evans. The series heads back to Peterborough Monday night, 8:00 PM.

Over in B.C. both the Jr. and Sr. Victoria Shamrocks suffered losses last night, as the New Westminster Salmonbellies won game three of their semi-final with the Sr. Shamrocks 11-7, and the Burnaby Lakers dropped the Jr. Shamrocks 7-4 in overtime in game two of the B.C. Junior A finals. READ MORE »

The Beat

The state of Peterborough lacrosse in 1958

If you think the lacrosse leagues you currently know and love have made a few baffling decisions in the past couple of years, you’ll probably want to read up on the OLA of 1958, who slapped a five-year suspension on the Peterborough Trailermen for refusing to play in the 1957 Mann Cup. The team refused to play in protest of the CLA deeming Bob Allan ineligible even though he had already been approved by the OLA. As it always does with lacrosse, it gets better: among the players suspended for not playing? Bob Allan, the man deemed ineligible to play.

Fast forward fifty years and even though they’re aiming for their fifth straight league title, the Six Nations Arrows have been cast as the underdogs opposite the high-powered Orangeville Northmen. And out west, the Victoria Jr. Shamrocks are taking on the perennial B.C. champion Burnaby Lakers and staging a coup of their own.

The Beat

Edge vs. FCA - Battle of the Border at U of T’s Varsity

With a long weekend hitting most of Canada this weekend (jealous much Nunavut & NFL), anyone near the GTA has a great opportunity to check out some of the best up-and-coming Canadian and American ball players in the sport today, during the Edge versus FCA Challenge at U of T’s Varsity Stadium.

Last year’s inaugural event was held at Hobart College and churned out some stellar ball.

For those not aware, Edge Lacrosse is an Ontario based elite level lacrosse program that helps some of the top studs in Southern Ontario showcase their talent in an attempt to land a scholarship in the US. All six of Edge Lacrosse’s teams, from U12 to the Senior squad, will be playing this weekend. READ MORE »

The Beat

In other news

• The Owen Sound Woodsmen’s revamped line-up was too much for the Wellington Aces, who were eliminated in the Sr. B semi-finals last night: Guelph Mercury
• The Arrows-A’s series starts on Sunday: Brantford Expositor
• The Shamrocks-Bellies series starts tonight: Times Colonist
• The Orillia Rama-Hammond Kings aren’t on the playoff schedule, and this guy thinks that maybe they don’t belong in the Junior A loop. Just because he’s never cracked a wall with his head! Amateur: Courier-Herald

The Beat

Boston Blazers Awarded Entry Draft + Important Player Info

The NLL officially announced today that this summer’s Entry Draft will take place in the Boston Blazers’ backyard at TD Banknorth Garden during the weekend of September 6-7.

There’ll be a total of 76 players drafted on the night, with the Blazers currently holdin’ down the first overall selection, although the rumours are still makin’ the rounds that that first pick will be moved prior to the weekend, maybe or maybe not involving Dan Dawson. Plus, make sure to stay dialed into NLL.com this Thursday when Boston dips into the talent pool during the ‘08 Expansion Draft, with more wheeling and dealing expected on the day (Note: maybe).

For players that wanna be included in this year’s Entry Draft, make sure to checkout the links below or at NLL.com.

• NLL.com - 2008 selection order from one to 76
• NLL.com - Draft eligibility requirements
• NLL.com - Player inquiry form
• NLLInsider.com - Revisiting the draft 2003
• NLLInsider.com - Revisiting the draft 2002
• NLLInsider.com - Value of the draft

The Beat

Who’s playing where tonight

If you’re lucky enough to live near one of lacrosse’s summer hot spots, chances are you’ve still got time to hop in your car, trade your first-born son for a full tank of gas, swear at the slurpee machine and high-tail it to an action-packed arena in time for opening face-off. If you’re in Ontario, your options are: READ MORE »

The Beat

Friday night playoff results

The Peterborough Lakers and Six Nations Arrows are now tied 2-2 in the series, after the Arrows triumphed 11-8 on Thursday and the Lakers bounced back to take the 12-9 win last night. Kyle Clancy and Mike Thomas had three goals apiece last night for the Lakers, while Josh Gillam had two goals and four helpers and Ryan Masters made 43 saves. As usual, Cody Jamieson led the Arrows with four goals and one assist. Game five will take place Sunday night at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena, 7:00 pm EST. READ MORE »

The Beat

Playoffs, Dietrich and the other John Grant

• With the playoffs nearly upon us, the Orillia Rama-Hammond Kings are on the outiside looking in: Orillia Packet
• Possibly getting ready to watch the Arrows vs. Lakers series: Brantford Expositor
• Or maybe the Northmen vs. Excelsiors: Georgetown Independent
• Over in BC Jr. A the Nanaimo Timbermen may be facing an uphill battle against the Salmonbellies, but they’ve got their climbing boots on: Nanaimo Daily News
• If you thought Steve Dietrich was getting lazy by only playing in the NLL, GMing the KW Kodiaks and practicing with the Owen Sound Woodsmen, never fear—he got into the net last night: Owen Sound Sun Times
• And that other John Grant, if you’ve heard of him, is headed for the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame: Sudbury Star

The Beat

South Fraser, Buck Stobart, and the best-selling t-shirts

• Can you believe it, the Stickmen are leaving South Fraser on a losing note: Surrey Now
• But not quite in time to make it to the Wiles brothers lacrosse camp: Orillia Packet
• For the Iroquois Nationals, there’s much more to lacrosse than just a game: The Province
• And there’s much more to Buck Stobart than an awesome name: Victoria Times