EVERETT — The Washington Stealth have narrowed their roster to 23 players for the 2010 season. Fourteen players return to the Stealth from last season with nine new faces in the mix that were acquired this offseason through trades, drafts and free agent signings.
2009 Rookie of the Year Rhys Duch, two-time All-Star Jeff Zywicki and nine-year National Lacrosse League vet Cam Sedgwick highlight the returners on offense. Duch finished with 89 points last season, while Zywicki added 78 points and Sedgwick had a career year with 63 points. They are joined by Lewis Ratcliff and rookie Joel Dalgarno, who were acquired in a trade less than two weeks ago. Kory Kowalyk joins Dalgarno as the only rookies on the offensive end.
The Stealth transition game will have a new look, with only 2009 NLL All-Rookie team member Paul Rabil and fellow sophomore Kyle Hartzell the only returning players. They are joined by offseason acquisitions Jason Bloom and Jamison Koesterer, and the 24th selection in the 2009 NLL Entry Draft, Ben Hunt.
On the defensive end, the Stealth added size and athleticism in the 13th selection of the 2009 Entry Draft, Matt Beers and offseason signing Wade DeWolff. The pair joins a veteran defensive corps featuring former All-Star Eric Martin, Kyle Sorensen, Curtis Hodgson and Mike Grimes. The defense also returns Brett Manney and Travis Gillespie, who returns after missing the majority of the 2009 season due to injury.
Between the pipes will be the familiar faces of Tyler Richards and Matt Roik. The tandem led the Stealth to the West Division Finals a year ago and this summer, reached the Mann Cup Finals as teammates with British Columbia’s New Westminster Salmonbellies.
“I’m very happy with our final 23,” said Stealth Head Coach Chris Hall. “This is a tough league with 11 very competitive teams, but I like our lineup. We are bigger, stronger and faster than last year and our offense is deeper. I’m looking forward to getting these guys back in camp and refining our systems so we are ready for January 9.”
The complete 2010 Washington Stealth roster can be found at www.stealthlax.com.
The Stealth will hold one more training camp on January 2 and 3 before they open the 2010 season at the Comcast Arena on January 9. Ticket packages for the 2010 season are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 877-MY-75-TIX or at www.stealthlax.com.
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