As of midnight on Aug. 1, National Lacrosse League teams could begin signing free agents who were on rosters other than their own in 2011. The Washington Stealth wasted little time making moves, inking six players to deals on Tuesday.
Two of the six players signed by the Stealth have previous
NLL experience, led by five-year veteran and transition player Nenad Gajic. In 50 career games, Gajic has scored 22 goals and dished 58 assists. Gajic was originally drafted by the Stealth in the 2004 NLL Entry Draft, but started his career and played all five season with the Colorado Mammoth.
Gajic’s best season came in his rookie year when he earned NLL All-Rookie team honors, tallying 37 points (13 goals, 24 assists).
Gajic hasn’t completed a full season for three consecutive years because of injury.
“We are very excited to have Nenad with us,” Stealth head coach Chris Hall said in a press release. “He’s worked very hard to recover from his injury and he’s playing well this summer in New Westminster. He’s an outstanding player and a guy that will bring a lot of character and leadership to our locker room and add another piece to our back end that will be a weapon in our transition game.”
The Stealth also signed forward Martin Cummings. Cummings spent much of last season on the Stealth’s practice roster, but he did appear in one game, scoring a goal against the Edmonton Rush.
Washington will bring in two goalkeepers to compete to be Tyler Richards backup. Chris Seidel, who spent all of 2011 on the Stealth’s practice roster and Zack Boychuk, who plays for the Nanaimo Timberman of the Western Lacrosse Association will battle it out in training camp.
Also signed to the Stealth roster on Tuesday were defenders MikeMcNamara and John Rae.
“It’s a good day for the Stealth,” General Manager Doug Locker said. “Each one of these guys has the potential to make us better in the coming season. It will definitely make for a spirited training camp as we brought in guys at every position that will challenge for a spot on our roster. And there will undoubtedly be a few more signings in the coming weeks as we continue to prepare for 2012.
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