Stealth acquire forward

Published 1:55 pm Tuesday, March 15, 2011

The Washington Stealth and Colorado Mammoth agreed to terms on a deal Tuesday just minutes before the NLL’s noon PDT trade deadline. The swap brings left-handed forward Cliff Smith to Washington in exchange for left-handed forward Joel Dalgarno and left-handed defenseman Ian Hawksbee.

T

he Stealth also sent a third-round selection in the 2011 NLL entry draft to Colorado.

In eight games this season, Smith amassed 11 points (eight goals, three assists) for the Mammoth.

“Cliff is a big, strong guy and brings a tremendous amount of grit and skill,” Stealth coach Chris Hall said. “We’ve been watching him for a long time — through juniors, his time with the New Westminster Salmonbellies and his pro career — and he has huge upside. We think the fit will be right for him in Washington.”

Smith has played four seasons with the Salmonbellies of the Western Lacrosse Association, winning championships the past three summers. In 99 total games with New Westminster, Smith had 292 points (147 goals, 145 assists).

The Stealth part ways with Dalgarno, who joined the team in a trade with Toronto that brought Lewis Ratcliff to the Stealth in exchange for Colin Doyle prior to the 2010 NLL season. Dalgarno has played in two games this season for the Stealth, scoring three goals and dishing out one assist.

Washington also sends Hawksbee to Colorado. The Stealth acquired him from Edmonton earlier this season. Hawksbee played in three games, racking up 16 loose balls and recording one assist.

“In order to bring in Smith, a guy we felt was a piece we needed in our lineup, you have to give up a lot to do it,” Hall said. “Dalgarno and Hawksbee have been very valuable for us and we are very sorry to see them go.”

Smith is expected to be in action for Washington’s next game, March 25 against the Boston Blazers at Comcast Arena.

Stealth activate Sorensen

The Stealth announced Tuesday that defenseman Kyle Sorensen has been activated from the physically unable to perform list.

Sorensen, the Stealth’s assistant captain, suffered a knee injury over the summer playing with the Peterborough Lakers of Major Series Lacrosse. Sorensen, who prior to this season had missed just six games in his career, will be available for the Stealth’s next game, the team said.

Last season, Sorensen played an important role in the Stealth’s run to the NLL championship. He played in 11 regular-season games, collecting 45 loose balls, scoring two goals and dishing out six assists. In 58 career games, Sorensen has scored 43 points (18 goals, 25 assists) and picked up 277 loose balls.

Sorensen is in his fifth NLL season after being selected second overall by the Stealth in the 2006 Entry Draft.

“Having Kyle back for the stretch run is a huge boost for us,” Stealth general manager Doug Locker said. “Not only is he a tremendous player, but Kyle is also an outstanding leader. We are very excited to have him back on the active roster.”