Stealth’s captain signs

EVERETT — The Washington Stealth continued to assemble their 2012 roster Friday by signing team captain and transition player Jason Bloom to a two-year contract. The deal is pending league approval.

Bloom, who is entering his sixth year in the NLL and third with the Stealth, has been the tea

m’s captain since its arrival from San Jose before the 2010 season. He has missed just one game in the past two seasons.

Since being acquired before the 2010 season, Bloom has played more of a defensive role for the Stealth. He has recorded 16 points (three goals, 13 assists) and 145 loose balls in that period, including a career-high 111 loose balls in 2010, the year he helped lead the Stealth to the NLL title.

In 66 career NLL regular-season games, Bloom has amassed 61 points (23 goals, 38 assists) and collected 257 loose balls.

“Jason has been a great captain for us both on and off the floor,” Stealth head coach Chris Hall said in a press release. “On the floor, his hustle on every shift and work ethic day in and day out set a tremendous example for the rest of the team. Off the floor, he’s a strong leader for our organization and he epitomizes everything we want from our players.”

Aside from his responsibilities to the Stealth, Bloom lives in the Puget Sound area and coaches lacrosse players throughout the region. He is a former assistant coach at Overlake High School in Redmond, as well as a coach for the Seattle Starz club teams and a regular instructor at the Stealth Lacrosse Academy.

“I love this area and being a part of its blossoming community,” Bloom said. “Getting the opportunity to stay with the Stealth and be close to my family is something for which I am very grateful. The Stealth organization has done a tremendous job of growing the sport in Washington along with putting a top-notch team together on the floor.

“I can’t wait to get the 2012 season started and work towards bringing another Champion’s Cup to Washington.”