Stealth Acquire first overall selection in NLL Entry Draft
September 12, 2006 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
San Jose Stealth News Release
SAN JOSE - San Jose Stealth Assistant General Manager Doug Locker announced today that the organization was involved in a major trade sending goaltender Matt Vinc, forward Ryan Boyle and defenseman Matt Alrich to New York in exchange for New York's first-round pick (first overall) in Wednesday's National Lacrosse League Draft, goaltender Aaron Bold and a conditional sixth round pick in the Entry Draft.
Bold was recently selected sixth overall in the 2006 Expansion Draft by New York from the Portland Lumberjax. Originally selected by Portland in the third round (29th overall) of the 2005 Entry Draft, Bold compiled two wins in three games allowing only eight goals, making 30 saves and posting a save percentage of 79 percent. Bold is highly regarded around the league as a goalie of the future.
The 6-foor-3, 200-pound goalie played in the summer with the Peterborough Jr Lakers where he helped lead them to the 2006 Minto Cup. During the Minto Cup playoffs, Bold allowed just eight goals while saving 41 shots for an 84 percent save percentage.
"Aaron already has one year of NLL experience under his belt, and this summer played exceptionally well as the Peterborough Jr Lakers won the Minto Cup," said Stealth Assistant General Manager Doug Locker. "He was a huge reason they won the Minto and we think that he is one of the top young goalies in the NLL."
Along with Bold, the Stealth has acquired New York's first round (first overall) and conditional sixth round selection in Wednesday's NLL Entry Draft. The Stealth are obviously restocking the team with promising young talent as they have made many moves this off-season to get younger. Stockpiling the first and second overall (via trade from Chicago) picks in the upcoming entry draft will enable the Stealth to get two of the best players in the draft.
"Having the opportunity to acquire a young goaltender of Aaron Bold's ability along with acquiring the 1st overall selection in the draft was too much to pass up," said Locker.
San Jose also possesses the second overall selection (acquired in an earlier trade with the expansion Chicago Shamrox for Cam Woods), marking the first time in NLL history that a single team has possessed the first and second overall selections in an Entry Draft.
A fan favorite in San Jose, Boyle was drafted by the Stealth in the first round (third overall) of the 2004 NLL Entry Draft. The 2005 NLL Rookie of the Year, Boyle led all rookies that year with 64 points (22 goals, 42 assists) and 95 loose ball pickups. In his second season, he finished third on the team in points with 44 (16 goals, 28 assists) and was named a member of the United States National Lacrosse team where he played in the 2006 World Championships. Most recently, he was a member of the MLL's 2006 championship Philadelphia Barrage.
Vinc, a promising young goalie, was selected in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2005 NLL Entry Draft by San Jose. Vinc helped the St. Catharines Athletics win the Minto Cup in 2001 and 2003 while earning MVP honors in 2001.
Alrich was selected by San Jose in the third round (24th overall) in the 2004 NLL Entry Draft. In his second season with the Stealth, he tallied seven points (three goals, 4 assists) while scooping up 21 loose balls. During his collegiate career at the University of Delaware, Alrich was named first team All-Colonial Athletic Association after leading his team in scoring his senior year (34 goals and 12 assists). He finished his career with 103 points (83 goals and 20 assists).
"It was a very difficult decision to trade Ryan Boyle, Matt Vinc and Matt Alrich as they are not only excellent lacrosse players and key members of our organization, but they are quality people as well," said Locker. "We certainly thank them for their time in San Jose and the efforts they put forth on behalf of the Stealth. We wish them all the best in New York."
About the San Jose Stealth
The San Jose Stealth professional lacrosse team opens the 2007 NLL season on Jan. 5 vs. Rochester at HP Pavilion at San Jose. Additional information on the eight-game home schedule can be uncovered at sjstealth.com.
Season tickets, which include a host of newly created benefits, for the club's fourth season are available by calling 408-999-5700 or visiting sjstealth.com. Details on the thrilling Sports Pak were recently announced and the package includes Stealth season tickets as well as seats to other HP Pavilion events such as Fight Night at the Tank and the San Jose Sharks for one exciting price.
The National Lacrosse League is North America's professional indoor lacrosse league, featuring the best lacrosse players in the world. The league is entering its 21st season with thirteen teams playing in the major markets of the United States and Canada. NLL teams play a 16-game schedule followed by the Champion's Cup Playoffs.
The teams are: Arizona Sting, Buffalo Bandits, Calgary Roughnecks, Chicago Shamrox, Colorado Mammoth, Edmonton Rush, Minnesota Swarm, New York (name TBD), Philadelphia Wings, Portland LumberJax, Rochester Knighthawks, San Jose Stealth and Toronto Rock. Most NLL clubs are owned and/or operated by the National Hockey League (NHL) and/or National Basketball Association (NBA) teams and play in the same arenas used by those teams.
Professional indoor lacrosse combines the physical play of hockey with the high scoring (average of 25 goals per game), fast pace and play-making style of basketball. It is played inside the confines of a NHL hockey rink, with glass and rink boards intact, while the playing surface consists of a green turf carpet laid down over the hockey ice.
The league has a national broadcasting agreement with VERSUS (formerly OLN) in 2007 featuring a live NLL game every Saturday night throughout the 2007 season, consisting of 16 weekly broadcasts.
Attendance is at an all-time high for the league with average attendance for the 2006 season at nearly 11,000 fans per game, with several games played in front of crowds in excess of 16,000 fans. The 2006 Championship Game aired live nationally on ESPN2. For more information, visit the official website of the National Lacrosse League at NLL.com.
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National Lacrosse League Stories from September 12, 2006
- Cox 7 to broadcast 2006 NLL Entry Draft Recap Show - Arizona Sting
- Stealth Acquire first overall selection in NLL Entry Draft - San Jose Stealth
- Six picks await Mammoth at NLL entry draft Wednesday in New York - Colorado Mammoth
- National Lacrosse League Entry Draft Preview - Toronto Rock
- Roughnecks to select First Round ninth overall in 2006 NLL Entry Draft - Calgary Roughnecks
- Bandits set to pick third overall in 2006 NLL Draft - Buffalo Bandits
- First selection in Entry Draft traded; Boyle to New York - NLL
- Minnesota Swarm Owns Six Picks In Wednesday's NLL Entry Draft - Minnesota Swarm
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