When the 2012 Washington Stealth season begins Jan. 14 against the Calgary Roughnecks, one of the team’s biggest offseason acquisitions, Kyle Ross, won’t be in the lineup.
Ross is suspended one game for a hit he delivered to Kyle Sorensen in the National Lacrosse League Championship game last year. The funny thing is Ross will serve the suspension as a member of the team that he delivered the hit against.
“We all think it is absolutely hilarious,” Ross said. “Doug Locker, our (general manager) just loves it. But I mean, it’s just one of those things in the heat of the moment. It wasn’t an intentional hit by any means. When you are on the floor you are going all out.”
Ross, who was a member of the Toronto Rock that defeated the Washington Stealth 8-7 in the Champion’s Cup last May, was acquired from the Rock in an offseason trade for Stealth backup goalkeeper Matt Roik.
There were no hard feelings between Ross and Sorensen and now the two will team up to make an already stout Stealth defense even better.
“I think I am just trying to bring more of the same of what they have already and maybe just tighten that group up,” Ross said. “And you know get the ball up the floor to our offensive guys and let them do their magic.”
Stealth head coach Chris Hall said he is excited about the addition of Ross.
“I think I have always wanted to try to continue to improve the defense a little bit,” Hall said. “Get a little bigger, a little stronger and a little faster. I think Ross is a guy that fit that mold. What are we looking for? We are looking for a Kyle Ross type and with the Roik trade we were able to get him. So I think he is going to add a lot.
“It was a real solid find for us,” Hall added.
Hall says it shouldn’t take Stealth fans long to take notice of one of the team’s newcomers.
“They will notice,” Hall said. “He is a guy that you notice a lot. He’s around the action all the time, plays with a bit of an edge. You know when he is on the floor. So it won’t take them long to find out who he is.”
Ross brings his championship to Washington and joins many of the players who helped win one with the Stealth in 2010. So, Ross and the Stealth are no stranger to winning.
“You could see just in that game last year just how resilient the Washington Stealth were,” Ross said. “It’s basically the same group of guys, so I’m pumped about the opportunity.”
“There is no reason why we shouldn’t be in the same position this year, hopefully on the better end,” Ross added.
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