Arizona Sting Inks Top Draft Choice
September 27, 2007 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Arizona Sting News Release
GLENDALE, ARIZONA --- Arizona Sting General Manager and Head Coach Bob Hamley announced the Sting have signed rookie forward Bryan Safarik, the team's top pick in the 2007 National Lacrosse League (NLL) Entry Draft. The team has also added veteran forward Trent Smalley and defenseman Steve Hay.
Arizona took Safarik with the 42nd overall pick (3rd round) in the NLL Draft earlier this month. A two-time NCAA Division II All-America selection at Wingate University, Safarik finished his collegiate career as Wingate's second all-time leading goal scorer with 118 goals. The Vancouver, British Columbia native also played for the Burnaby Lakers of the Western Lacrosse Association (WLA) for the last two summers. In 35 career games with the Lakers, Safarik has recorded five goals and 11 assists.
The Sting signed Smalley to a one-year contract. Smalley, a big forward (6'2", 220 pounds) from Richmond, British Columbia, previously played for the Edmonton Rush and Minnesota Swarm. The 25 year-old will enter his third season in the NLL. In 12 career games, he has scored six points on five goals and one assist. Smalley looks to return to the league after not playing during the 2007 season. After signing with Minnesota as a free agent in 2005, he played two games for the Swarm before playing in ten games for the Edmonton Rush in 2006.
Steve Hay, a defenseman from Coquitlam, British Columbia, has also signed with the Sting. Hay spent the last three seasons with Langley of the WLA and racked up six points (3G, 3A) and 161 penalty minutes in 37 games.
For more information, visit NLL.com, the official website of the National Lacrosse League.
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