New Faces, Talents Revealed Under Anaheim Storm Masks
January 17, 2005 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Anaheim Storm News Release
With its second year in Southern California, the Anaheim Storm faces the penalties, checks and hits that come with the sport. They face the hard-hitting injuries and complex sticking as opposing players fight for loose balls or shots on goal. Faces might be injured, bruised, or scarred in rough turf battle, but as the season begins, before any of this action takes place, take a minute to meet some of the faces under the Storm masks.
The Storm consists of 23 players, 3 goalies and 20 runners. Eight of these players return to the Storm from last year, leaving 15 new faces to put their skills to the test in Anaheim.
"I am very excited with the new additions," said returning player and former captain Casey Powell. "We have a great new coach from a great program and we have 15 new players who are eager to win and help us revamp for a good season."
Joining Casey Powell, for a second year with the team in Anaheim are forwards Richard Morgan and Scott Stewart as well as defensemen Cam Bergman, Damien Davis, Chris Seller, Chad Wittman, and goalie Matt Roik.
New faces include four former Vancouver Ravens: defensemen Rory Glaves, Bruce Murray, Matt Dwane and forward Peter Morgan, brother of Richard Morgan. Another brother and lacrosse stand-out, forward Ryan Powell, sibling to Casey, comes to the Storm from a trade with the Buffalo Bandits. Like his brother, Ryan had an all-time scoring record during his career at Syracuse.
Captain and defensemen Pat Jones, was acquired by the Storm from the Toronto Rock, a team recognized in the league as a winning franchise. Forward Raweras Mitchell, who works for Mohawk International Lacrosse on the Awkesasne reservation between New York and Quebec, was acquired after walking on at training camp.
In their second season at the Arrowhead Pond, the Storm has brought on new General Manager and Head Coach Derek Keenan, along with new assistant coaches Jeff McComb and Jeremy Tallevi. Keenan was with the Toronto Rock for the last five seasons where he won four NLL Championships as an assistant coach.
"I think my experience has prepared me well to take on the task of turning (the team) in Anaheim around," said Keenan. "I believe in structured play and that is how we are teaching our guys. Lacrosse is now a very systematic game so paying attention to every detail is crucial. I think our team has tremendous speed which should translate into a strong two-way transition game."
McComb has more than thirty years of experience as a player and coach. He is head coach of an Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA) junior team and was recently named 2004 OLA Junior "A" Coach of the Year. Tallevi has more than four years of coaching experience and is the head coach at the University of Western Ontario.
"I think Jeremy and Jeff will both make huge contributions," said Keenan. "They are both young guys with lots of energy and innovative ideas. We have the same beliefs in terms of how the game is to be played and the whole team building process."
Keenan acknowledges that fifteen roster changes are significant, but considers it part of his "Team Building" strategy for laying the foundation of a winning franchise.
"My goal for this team is to win a championship," said Keenan. "That goal may sound lofty but if that's not the ultimate goal, then why are we here?"
National Lacrosse League Stories from January 17, 2005
- Wings Prepare For Home Opener With Final Practice - Philadelphia Wings
- Minnesota Swarm To Hold Benefit For Red Cross Tsunami Relief Efforts at Home Opener - Minnesota Swarm
- New Faces, Talents Revealed Under Anaheim Storm Masks - Anaheim Storm
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
