New York Expansion Team Signs Five to Contracts

August 23, 2006 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Orlando Titans News Release


The National Lacrosse League expansion New York franchise announced this week that it has signed its first group of players, adding experience to the first year team. The team signed forwards Roy Colsey and Brian Tower, and defensemen Richard Brzeski, Bob Horsey and Armando Polanco. All five have previous experience in the league. Colsey, a two-time all-pro, returns to the NLL after a two-year hiatus, having last played for the Buffalo Bandits in 2004. Brzeski heads to New York after playing five seasons with the Philadelphia Wings, while Horsey, Polanco and Tower each have played two seasons in the league.

"We are excited to add NLL experience to our team," said Head Coach and interim General Manager Adam Mueller. "I am looking forward to seeing Roy (Colsey) and Brian (Tower) showcase their offensive skills once again in the league. Roy is a proven goal scorer and Brian adds size and a work ethic that will be vital to us as we grow our team."

"On the defensive side, Rich (Brzeski) is a hard nosed defender that we are counting on to be a leader in the defensive end. His steady play over the years speaks for itself. We look forward to Armando's (Polanco) size and physical game and seeing him improve on his past experiences in the league. Bobby (Horsey) is a very athletic, transition defender that is thrilled at the opportunity to get back in the NLL and show what he can do."

Roy Colsey returns to the NLL having last played with the Buffalo Bandits in 2004. After the 2004 season he ranked eight all-time in career goals with 215, but has since been knocked out of the top ten. The veteran forward also has 168 career assists (215 goals, 168 assists, 383 points). The Yorktown Heights, New York native has played 104 career regular season games over nine seasons.

Colsey has two NLL All-Pro honors in his career. He was named First Team All-Pro in 2001 and Second Team All-Pro in 2000. In college he was a three-time first-team All-American at Syracuse University where he helped the team win two NCAA National Championships (1993, '95). He was named the Division I National Midfielder of the Year in 1995 and compiled a 51-8 career record with the Orangemen in four seasons. The veteran was signed to a one-year contract with New York.

Brian Tower was signed to a one-year contract and joins New York after playing two seasons for the Philadelphia Wings. Tower played 19 games in 2003 and 2004, totaling 27 points (19 goals, 8 assists) and collecting 59 loose balls.

Richard Brzeski signs with New York after playing the past five seasons with Philadelphia. The Levittown, New York native has played 66 career regular season games, has collected 83 loose balls and has tallied eight points on a goal and seven assists. The defenseman, who was picked up by New York in the Expansion Draft, was signed to a two-year contract.

Bob Horsey, a transition defender, has played two NLL seasons in 2002 and 2003. He has totaled 33 points on 19 goals and 14 assists and has collected 98 loose balls in 28 career regular season games. Horsey was signed to a one-year contract.

Armando Polanco brings two seasons of NLL experience to New York, playing 23 games in 2002 and 2003. The defenseman has collected 31 loose balls, recorded an assist and totaled 41 penalty minutes in his career. Polanco was signed to a one-year contract.

New York will continue to build on their roster in the upcoming 2006 Entry Draft, which will held on September 13th at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. New York currently owns the first overall pick in the draft.



National Lacrosse League Stories from August 23, 2006


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