EVERETT — Colin Doyle’s wish to play closer to home came true.
The Everett-based Washington Stealth announced Tuesday they have traded Doyle, the defending National Lacrosse League scoring champion, to the Toronto Rock for three players with Northwest ties — Lewis Ratcliff, Tyler Codron and Joel Dalgarno.
Doyle, a 12-year NLL veteran, is a native of Kitchner, Ontario. He spent eight seasons (1999-2006) playing in Toronto before joining the Stealth.
“It’s bittersweet but, for a lot of reasons outside lacrosse, it was time for me to get closer to home,” Doyle told the Canadian Press. “I’m glad to be home. I’ll miss what I was a part of with the Stealth, but I’m excited about being back with the Rock.”
Doyle helped Toronto win five NLL championships and was the 2005 NLL regular-season MVP. He spent the past three seasons with the Stealth, who relocated to Everett from San Jose, Calif., in June.
Doyle led the NLL in scoring last season with 111 points. He ranks third on the league’s all-time scoring list with 965 points.
“The decision to trade a player of Colin Doyle’s stature was not an easy one for our organization,” Stealth general manager Doug Locker said in a press release. “However after working closely with Colin we wanted to honor his wishes to play closer to home.”
Ratcliff, a native of Victoria, B.C., scored 68 points (34 goals, 34 assists) for Toronto last season and is expected to take over Doyle’s spot on the left side of the Washington offense. He began his NLL career in 2003 with the Calgary Roughnecks and won the 2004 Champion’s Cup playing for current Stealth head coach Chris Hall.
“It’s no secret how much I enjoyed playing for Chris Hall,” Ratcliff said in a statement released by the Stealth. “I’m pretty familiar with most of the guys in the Stealth locker room and I can’t wait to get to camp this weekend. This makes a lot of sense for me life-wise. I think the only person more excited than me is my wife.”
Codron, a defender, is a 22-year-old native of Coquitlam, B.C. He is expected to join the active roster in February after he recovers from a knee injury suffered while playing football at the University of British Columbia.
Dalgarno was the seventh overall pick in the 2009 NLL Entry Draft. A left-handed forward, he played field lacrosse at Ohio State University the past four years and was a two-time All-American. He finished his college career as the Buckeyes’ all-time leading goal scorer.
“In the end, I think it’s a win-win for both teams,” Hall said in the press release. “To lose a player like Colin Doyle is tough, but when you are getting the talent we’re getting in Ratcliff, Codron and Delgarno it definitely eases the blow.”
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