All Star Defender returns to Roughnecks
October 11, 2005 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Calgary Roughnecks News Release
Calgary, AB - Rob Kirkby, a key member of the Calgary Roughnecks squad that won the National Lacrosse League's Champion's Cup in 2004, is returning to the Riggers.
The 6 ft. 3in. defensive stalwart has been re-acquired from the Arizona Sting in exchange for a first round pick in the 2006 NLL entry draft and untested Andy Secore. The deal is pending league approval.
"I am so excited about getting Rob back here," said Calgary General Manager, Kurt Silcott. "Rob is among the league's elite and will play a key role in our battle to regain the NLL title."
Ironically, Silcott was GM of the Buffalo team when Calgary beat the Bandits 14-11 to take the Champion's Cup.
"We were right in that game until Rob scored a superb goal. It was the defining moment and I can tell you I'd much rather have him playing with us rather than against us," said Silcott.
In a surprise move in the fall of 2004, Kirkby, an NLL All-Star, was traded to Arizona in exchange for Travis Gillespie and Kyle Neufeld. Gillespie appeared in nine games for the Riggers in 2005, but a knee injury kept Neufeld out of the line-up. He's expected to press for a place in 2006.
Kirkby, 26, is a native of Kitchener, Ontario. Though generally regarded as a defender, he can also play transition and take face offs.
He was a member of the Victoria Shamrocks that won the Mann Cup in 2003, and in 1997 and 1999 helped the Whitby Warriors capture the Minto Cup.
Kirkby is currently nursing a wrist injury, but is expected to be ready to play by February at the latest.
National Lacrosse League Stories from October 11, 2005
- All Star Defender returns to Roughnecks - Calgary Roughnecks
- Franchise player and daytime stockbroker new to LumberJax - Portland Lumberjax
- Stealth Sign Four Players For 2006 Campaign - San Jose Stealth
- Sting signs Self to one year contract - Arizona Sting
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