Vancouver Stealth announced today the active and practice rosters for the upcoming 2017 National Lacrosse League season.
The team’s offence includes the Stealth’s leading all-time point scorer Rhys Duch, the NLL’s 2014 Rookie of the Year Logan Schuss, Corey Small, and 2015 NLL Teammate of the Year Joel McCready.
On the backend, the team added two champion’s cup winning defencemen John Lintz and Peter McFetridge, as well as face-off specialist and two-time NCAA champion Brendan Fowler.
Tyler Richards and veteran goalie Tye Belanger earned their way in the top two spots in the crease, said head coach and assistant general manager Jamie Batley.
“I wanted to make conditioning a priority. From minute one, I wanted the guys to know that this was going to be a tough camp,” Batley said.
“I was extremely pleased with how the guys reacted and after the tough decisions we made this past weekend, I am confident we have a team that is capable of playing the fast-paced tempo we plan to play.”
There are 18 returning members currently on the active and practice rosters, while also adding off-season acquisitions Peter McFetridge, John Lintz, Brendan Fowler, and Tommy McKee.
Garrett Billings, Cory Conway, James Rahe, and Jarrett Toll will start the season on the injured reserve list.
The Stealth invited the league-maximum of 40 players to training camp and having so many talented players was a challenge for president and general manager Doug Locker.
“I am really pleased with the compete level the guys showed over the last several weeks of camp, and I am looking forward to the new season,” Locker said.
“Obviously, we had some difficult decisions, as every team in our league has, but our staff did a tremendous job evaluating each player very thoroughly and this team has the tools to compete at the highest levels of our league.”
The 2017 Vancouver Stealth season will kick off at the Langley Events Centre in January 2017. For tickets, people can call 604-882-.8800 or visit Ticket Rocket.
2017 Vancouver Stealth roster:
Forwards (7): Keegan Ball, Rhys Duch, Jordan Durston, Joel McCready, Tommy McKee, Logan Schuss, Corey Small.
Defencemen/ Transition (11):
Matt Beers, Travis Cornwall, Brendan Fowler, Ian Hawksbee, Curtis Hodgson, Thomas Hoggarth, John Lintz, Peter McFetridge, Chris O’Dougherty, Justin Salt, Ryan Wagner.
Goalies (2):
Tye Belanger, Tyler Richards.
Practice Roster (4):
Brandon Clelland, Justin Goodwin, Evan Messenger, Eric Penney.
Injured Reserved (4):
Garrett Billings, Cory Conway, James Rahe, Jarrett Toll.