Vancouver Stealth Sign Twelve Free Agents
October 31, 2013 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Vancouver Stealth News Release
(Vancouver, BC - Thursday, October 31, 2013) - The Vancouver Stealth's Free Agent Camp took place this past weekend and some players really impressed the Stealth Coaching Staff. A total of 8 new free agents have been signed along with returning players Brett Hickey, Mike Mallory and Neil Tyacke who also signed as free agents, pending league approval.
Hickey and Mallory spent all of last season on the practice roster for the Stealth but this past summer they took huge strides in improving their chance at a spot on the active roster. Hickey played the 2013 season with Coquitlam Adanacs of the Western Lacrosse Association where he put up career numbers scoring 32 goals and 25 assists in 14 regular season games and was awarded 2nd team all-star honors. He also tallied another 13 points in 4 post season games. Mallory played his first year in the WLA as a member of the Maple Ridge Burrards for the 2013 season where he tallied 28 points (8g, 20a) in 16 games.
Tyacke appeared in one game for the Stealth during the 2013 season, facing just 7 shots in 11 minutes of play. This past summer Tyacke got a lot more action playing for the New Westminster Salmonbellies of the WLA, he had a 9.31 GAA and a .803 save percentage during the 2013 season.
The Stealth Free Agent Camp proved to bring out the best in some players, three of which have recent experience in the NLL. Alex Gajic from Burnaby, BC has three seasons worth of NLL experience under his belt, he played in 32 games and added 98 points (50g, 48a) for the Colorado Mammoth from 2010 to 2012. Alex is also the younger brother of Ilija Gajic who was recently acquired by the Stealth from the Colorado Mammoth.
Aaron Pascas, a Port Coquitlam, BC native also brings some NLL experience, as he recently played for the Calgary Roughnecks during the 2013 season, scoring 7 points (1g, 6a) in 6 games. He also played 14 games with the Toronto Rock during the 2011 season, adding another 23 points (15g, 8a).
Jamie Shewchuk who hails from Edmonton, Alberta definitely brought the most experience to the free agent camp, he's played in 86 career NLL regular season games and 4 playoff games (2007-2012). Shewchuk has put up solid numbers throughout his career with both Minnesota and Colorado, collecting a total of 313 points (38g, 176a) over his 6 year career.
This year's free agent camp went well beyond players with NLL experience as 6 players who brought a wide range of Junior "ÃËA' and WLA experience also signed with the Stealth. The 6 other free agent signings included a number of strong local players; Sean Lundstrom (Langley, BC), Richard Lachlan (Port Coquitlam, BC), Brandan Smith (Victoria, BC), Neil Arbogast (Vancouver, BC), Scott Rouse (Cloverdale, BC) and Matt Flindell (Victoria, BC).
The recent signing of this year's free agents is just a stepping stone for players looking to earn a spot on the Stealth roster. They will continue their fight for a roster spot at training camp which is set for the end of November.
The Stealth's 2014 season will begin on January 4th against the Colorado Mammoth and then the following week on January 11th they host the Minnesota Swarm in their home opener at the Langley Events Centre.
For information on season tickets and 3 & 4 game packs visit www.stealthlax.com.
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National Lacrosse League Stories from October 31, 2013
- Knighthawks Re-Sign Dan Dawson to Seven-Year Deal - Rochester Knighthawks
- Rock Sign Kasey Beirnes to a Three-Year Agreement - Toronto Rock
- Vancouver Stealth Sign Twelve Free Agents - Vancouver Stealth
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