The 2011 offseason is shaping up a lot like the previous one for the Washington Stealth.
With one key exception.
Instead of trying to figure out how to defend their National Lacrosse League title, the Stealth will be one of nine NLL teams trying to dethrone the 2011 champion Toronto Ro
ck.
Stealth general manager Doug Locker said he believes Washington has the pieces in place to do just that.
“Our plan for this offseason is pretty similar to the plan we had last season,” said Locker, whose team lost to Toronto 8-7 in the NLL title game on May 15. “I’m hopeful we will have the majority of the group back next year.”
In 2010, the Stealth finished 14-5 and were the NLL’s top team, defeating Toronto 15-11 in Everett to secure the franchise’s first Champion’s Cup.
The 2011 season played out much differently.
The Stealth faced adversity throughout the year — injuries to key players being the biggest hurdle — and stumbled to an 8-8 record in the regular season and the No. 3 seed in the West Division.
But in the playoffs, with the team back at full strength, the Stealth showed what they are capable of when healthy. They defeated Minnesota 14-8 in the opening round of the playoffs and squeaked by Calgary 10-8 in the West Division final, both on the road.
In the championship rematch in Toronto, the Stealth fell just shy of becoming the first NLL team to win the Champion’s Cup without a home playoff game.
“Both seasons were very different. Still, at the end of the day we battled through adversity,” Locker said. “We still view it as a major success. When we were healthy, I felt like we had as good of a team as anybody in the league.”
All-pro forward Lewis Ratcliff finished second in scoring during the NLL’s regular season, tallying 92 points (41 goals, 51 goals) and forward Rhys Duch ranked third with 90 (42 goals, 48 assists).
Forward Jeff Zywicki missed 13 of the Stealth’s 16 regular-season games with a knee injury, but he returned for the playoffs and was instrumental in the Stealth’s run to the championship game, scoring six goals and totaling 12 points.
Goalkeeper Tyler Richards saved 134 of the 157 shots he saw in the playoffs for a .854 save percentage, the highest in the NLL.
Defender Kyle Sorenson returned from an injury in time for the playoffs and along with all-star defender Mike Grimes helped the Stealth limit all three of their playoff opponents to single figures in goals.
Transition player Paul Rabil, who scored two goals and dished out six assists in the playoffs, is under contract through the 2013 season and Locker said he fully expects the team’s other stars to return.
Locker called what the Stealth are doing right now a “research period.” The team is looking at available players to see who might be a good fit for Washington’s system.
“I don’t think we are looking at anything in particular,” Locker said, “just trying to get a look at what’s out there.”
The team does expect to bring an extra defenseman or two into training camp at the start of next season, Locker said.
Teams are allowed a maximum of 38 guys at camp and Locker said the Stealth most likely will invite 34 or 35.
Complicating any potential roster moves is the issue of geography. Most players have to travel to the Northwest for weekend practices and games, so the closer to Everett they live, the better, Locker said.
“I think we have a really, really strong team,” Locker said. “If we are going to make a change, it has to be with a purpose.”
The entire Stealth coaching staff will be back for 2012, Locker said.
There is no date set for the NLL entry draft, but Locker said it most likely will take place in late August. The first day that teams can sign free agents is Aug. 1.
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