NLL Toronto Rock

Rock Trade Giles to Edmonton Rush for Draft Pick

February 8, 2006 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Toronto Rock News Release


TORONTO - The Toronto Rock and expansion Edmonton Rush completed a trade today, with Toronto sending journeyman forward Mat Giles to the Rush in exchange for Edmonton's second-round pick in the 2006 NLL Entry Draft.

Giles, 30, lives in Peterborough where he also plays summer lacrosse with the KC Lakers. He won one NLL Championship with Toronto in 1999, and a Mann Cup (Canadian senior box lacrosse championship) with Peterborough in 2004.

Giles has one goal and one assist (2 points) in four games with Toronto this season along with 9 PIM and 13 loose balls. In 2005, Giles played with the Rochester Knighthawks finishing seventh in scoring with 23 points (10 goals and 13 assists).

"It's always tough to move guys, especially when it's such a classy guy like Mat," said Rock head coach and general manager Terry Sanderson. "But we're in a situation where we're sitting too many guys out who are doing the same thing... and there was some interest from Edmonton."

"We wish Mat all the best of luck except for Saturday night. We feel it will be a mutually beneficial deal."

The forward will rejoin former coach Paul Day in Edmonton and an offensive system he is familiar with. In 89 career regular season and playoff games, Giles has amassed 100 goals and 82 assists (182 points) and has won 47% of the 88 faceoffs he has taken.

Giles was a member of the Rock's first championship winning team in 1999 before stints in Columbus, Montreal, Albany and in Ottawa. He is expected to play Saturday Feb. 11 in his first game with the Rush against his now former team, the Toronto Rock.

Taylor moves from Practice Roster to Active Roster, Leaving Open Spot on Practice Roster

As his name Jackpot suggests, Matt Taylor has run into a bit of luck.

Taylor, 22, is a left-handed forward standing at 5'11" and weighting 200 lbs. and he is relishing at the opportunity to join the active roster.

While he played his minor and junior lacrosse in Whitby, he is currently living in St. Catharines and playing for the Brock Badgers, winners of the past two Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association championships (2004, 2005).

Last summer, the Kinesiology student played with the Brooklin Redmen (OLA Major). He's also won a Founder's Cup Junior B box lacrosse national championship with the Green Gaels in 2000, two provincial championships with the Whitby Warriors minor lacrosse system and three Ontario field lacrosse titles with the Oshawa Blue Knights.

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Matt was introduced to lacrosse much later than most current NLLers, beginning as a 12-year-old and began his post-secondary lacrosse play after earning a lacrosse scholarship to Drexel University in Philadelphia, but transferred to Brock University in 2004.

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National Lacrosse League Stories from February 8, 2006


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