Rock Re-Sign Batson; Add Free Agents Tutton & Buczek
October 13, 2016 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Toronto Rock News Release
Oakville, ON - Toronto Rock Owner, President and GM Jamie Dawick today announced the re-signing of defender Jamie Batson and the signing of unrestricted free agent defender Brodie Tutton and transition player Connor Buczek. Each player has agreed to a one-year contract. The three additions will make for a very competitive training camp with jobs up for grabs. Batson, a 31-year old native of Brantford, Ontario, was signed by the Rock as an unrestricted free agent in February of this year. He battled through injuries and only played in six games for the Rock last season, collecting one assist and picking up 19 loose balls.
After pursuing a pro hockey career, Tutton has decided to make a run at earning a spot in the NLL with the Rock. He played puck at SUNY-Geneseo scoring 3 goals, 8 assists for 11 points in 22 games. Tutton's last lacrosse experience was playing for the Whitby Warriors of the Ontario Junior A Lacrosse League (OJALL) in 2013, winning the Minto Cup Canadian Junior A Championship. The 22-year old from Courtice, Ontario is the younger brother of Chad Tutton who was a first round pick of the Georgia Swarm in the 2015 NLL Draft.
The third Rock signing comes on the heels of last week's inking of outdoor lacrosse stars Tom Schreiber and Kieran McArdle. Dawick has once again dipped into the pool of talented American field lacrosse players with the addition of Buczek. The outdoor midfielder has played his 2-year Major League Lacrosse (MLL) career with the Florida Launch and is a teammate of McArdle's in the summer. His collegiate career had him suiting up for Cornell's Big Red where he was named a first team All-American as well as being a nominee for the Tewaaraton Trophy as the top player in Men's Division I lacrosse, in both 2014 and 2015. He graduated from Cornell as the top scoring midfielder in the program's history.
"These are three more quality players coming in to compete for jobs out of the back door," said Dawick. "Jamie is a mature player and has some experience in the NLL and is a steady defender. He's healthy and looking for a fresh start. Tutton has been away from the game for a little while pursuing another pro career, but has a passion and an interest to be a player in this league and he'll be given the opportunity to win a job. Connor falls in line with our signings of Schreiber and McArdle, he's a great athlete with tons of skill but he has a little bit of box experience and will be trying to make the team out of the D door. There will be a lot of competition in this camp."
The Toronto Rock will announce their full training camp schedule and exhibition game schedule shortly. The 2017 NLL season will begin on the road for the Rock at Rochester on Thurs., Dec. 29. The team's home opener is on Sat., Jan. 14 against the Saskatchewan Rush at Air Canada Centre.
2017 Toronto Rock season tickets are now on sale and start at just $195. For more information, please contact a Toronto Rock account executive at 416-596-3075 or visit torontorock.com.
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National Lacrosse League Stories from October 13, 2016
- Rock Re-Sign Batson; Add Free Agents Tutton & Buczek - Toronto Rock
- Knighthawks Sign Albrecht and Laszkiewicz - Rochester Knighthawks
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