The National Lacrosse League offseason appears to be in full swing as the Washington Stealth continued their recent run of transactions by re-signing defenseman Curtis Hodgson, forward Cam Sedgwick and coming to an agreement with defenseman Kyle Ross, who they acquired on Monday from the Toronto Roc
k for goalkeeper Matt Roik.
The signings come one day after the Stealth announced that the entire coaching staff will be back for the 2012 season.
Hodgson and Sedgwick both inked one-year deals and will enter their eighth season with the Stealth organization. Ross also signed a one-year deal as he enters his first season with the Stealth after winning the Champion’s Cup last season with the Rock.
Sedgwick was an important offensive piece to the Stealth’s run to the NLL Champion’s Cup game the last two seasons. In 2011, he finished with 48 points (18 goals, 30 assists) and added nine points (two goals, seven assists) in the Stealth’s three playoff games, scoring both playoff goals in a first round victory over the Minnesota Swarm.
In seven seasons with the Stealth, Sedgwick has missed only four games and ranks in the organizations all-time top 10 in games played (5th, 107), points (4th, 333), goals (7th, 114), assists (3rd, 220) and looseballs (10th, 387).
“He brings a calmness to our offense when things get hectic on the floor,” Stealth head coach Chris Hall said in a press release. “He’s a quiet leader, but when the game is on the line, he’s a guy that isn’t afraid to step up when his team needs it by scoring or creating big goals.”
Hodgson has only missed one regular season game in his time with the Stealth. He ranks ninth all-time in looseballs collected for the Stealth with 394 and has 67 career points (24 goals, 43 assists). Last season, Hodgson played in all 16 regular season games, collecting 41 looseballs, he added 10 more during the Stealth’s three playoff games.
“You can’t buy the experience that Curtis Hodgson brings to our back end,” Hall said. “He’s a great leader on the floor and in the dressing room and a guy that commands a lot of respect from his teammates.”
The newcomer, Ross brings more stability to the Stealth’s back end. The 6-3 190 pound defenseman is going into this sixth NLL season. He played in 15 regular season games for the Rock last year, recording six points (one goal, five assists) and scooping up 60 looseballs.
“We have been trying to acquire Kyle for a while,” Hall said after Ross was acquired on Monday. “He adds toughness and athleticism to our defense and bring the ball up the floor hard in transition. He is a very exciting addition to our team as we look to bring another NLL title to Washington.”
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