Stealth get 4 more all-stars

“I don’t think we’ve ever had a situation that we’ve had five (players selected for the All-Star game),” said Stealth general manager Doug Locker. “I think the exciting thing is they’re all being recognized because they’re all huge contributors to what we’re doing.”

With five players and head coach Chris Hall leading the West Division team, Washington is the most heavily recognized team from the West. Minnesota (four players) and Calgary (four) are next in line.
“I think it’s really neat that four of the five guys we’ve had selected are playing in their first game,” Locker said. “That’s a very special thing. We’re definitely proud of all of them.”

Ratcliff, the only All-Star veteran, leads the Stealth with 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists) and is ranked sixth in the league in overall points.

“I remember my first one, it’s a lot of fun,” said Ratcliff, who was named the 2006 All-Star game MVP as a member of the Calgary Roughnecks. “I was pretty nervous my first one, but that was a long time ago now.
“Normally the first half (of the game) is kind of goofing around and messing around and when the game actually gets on the line the guys start kind of knuckling down.”

Wiles has stepped up his game in the absence on injured forward Jeff Zywicki, one of the NLL’s top offensive threats who was placed on the injured reserve list after the season opener.

Wiles has 23 points (12 goals, 11 assists) in six games this season including a 10-point (five goals, five assists) performance against Calgary.

“I’m pretty pumped,” Wiles said. “It’s a great honor to be named to the All-Star team and we’ve got a good bunch of guys going from Washington. I’m looking forward to representing the team and the league in a very positive way moving forward.

“Without Jeff (Zywicki) around it kind of leaves a vacant spot especially on the crease. I feel very comfortable stepping into Jeff’s spot, but you can never replace a guy like that. We’re doing our best to fill his shoes and I think we’re doing a pretty good job.”

Also making his first appearance will be Rabil, widely regarded as one of the best field lacrosse players in the world. Rabil, now in his third season with the Stealth, has come into his own this season.
The Gaithersburg, Md., native ranks second in the league with 63 loose balls.

“I feel very honored and humbled by it, it’s my first selection in the indoor game,” Rabil said. “To be recognized along some of the legends of the game is quite an honor for me.”

Duch, the 2009 NLL Rookie of the Year and a 2010 second team All-Pro selection, leads the Stealth with 15 goals this season, good for fifth in the NLL. His 29 points are tied for eighth in the league.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun. It’s not very often you get a collection of guys at this level,” Duch said. “It’s going to be cool, but I don’t want to go into it too bug-eyed though.”

The 2011 NLL All-Star game will be broadcast live at 11 a.m. on the VERSUS cable television network.
For more on the NLL and the Stealth, read Mark Nelson’s blog at www.heraldnet.com/stealthblog.