Stealth set up camp at Langley Events Centre

Langley’s pro lacrosse team is hosting its training camp in Willoughby this weekend.

With the countdown on to the 2015 National Lacrosse League season, the Vancouver Stealth are gearing up for their training camp, starting Saturday, Nov. 22 at the Langley Events Centre.

The public will have access to 11 Stealth practice sessions and one scrimmage.

Season ticket holders will get an exclusive chance to watch a scrimmage followed by player autographs and the opportunity to interact with the players.

The first day of training camp – on Saturday, Nov. 22 – will be open exclusively to season ticket holders, who will get a first look at the players competing for a roster spot.

The following day will be open to the public as the Stealth continue training camp on Nov. 23 from 9 to 11 a.m.

On Saturday, Dec. 6, the Stealth will be hosting a season ticket holder party from 4:30 to 8 p.m. as the Stealth play a scrimmage against the Edmonton Rush from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Langley Events Centre’s Fieldhouse.

Season ticket holders will receive their season ticket books and Stealth roster package and be able to watch the game.

Following the game, they will be invited onto the turf and greeted with a welcome message from one of the members of the Stealth. They will also get a chance to interact with the players and get pictures and autographs.

The Stealth’s final scrimmage on Sunday, Dec. 7 will be open to the public as they host the Colorado Mammoth from 9 to 11 a.m. at the LEC Fieldhouse.

The Stealth are looking to bounce back from a dismal 2014 season in which they limped to a 4-14 record and missed the NLL playoffs, in their inaugural campaign playing out the LEC.

Vancouver opens the regular season on the road against the Calgary Roughnecks on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015.

The Stealth’s home opener is the following week when they host the Toronto Rock on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015 starting at 7 p.m. at the LEC.

Stealth season tickets and three, four, and five game packs are available now.

Single game tickets go on sale Monday, Nov. 3 at 10 a.m.

For details visit www.StealthLAX.com.

Super sophomore Digby re-ups

The Stealth recently re-signed forward Tyler Digby to a one-year contract.

The New Westminster native was selected 20th overall in the third round of the 2014 National Lacrosse League (NLL) Draft.

In an impressive rookie campaign, he scored 58 points (22 goals, 36 assists) in 18 games.

Digby finished second among rookies in points and was selected to the 2014 NLL All-Rookie Team.

“Tyler is coming off a very solid rookie season and we are counting on him to be a mainstay in our lineup this coming year,” Stealth president and general manager Doug Locker said. “His size and strength not only allow him to make room for others but for himself as well. We are looking for big things from him.”

 â€œI’m real excited for this year,” said Digby. “I can’t wait to put on a Stealth jersey and start training camp.”

The 23-year-old had a successful junior career with the New Westminster Junior ‘A’ Salmonbellies, scoring 311 points (143 goals, 168 assists) in 80 career games.

He was awarded MVP and was the top scorer in the B.C. Junior A Lacrosse League in 2010.

Digby was a multi-sport standout in college, playing lacrosse and football at Robert Morris University in Pennsylvania.

He was drafted 36th overall by the Ottawa Redblacks in the 2013 CFL Draft.

“I think my NLL rookie year went pretty well,” he said. “There’s always things to improve on. I’m just ready to get back at it and have a successful year as a whole.”

Sorenson gone for season

Bad news for the Stealth, as their captain Kyle Sorensen has undergone surgery and will miss the entire 2015 season.

The defenceman played in seven games last season for the Stealth, recording two goals and two assists, while collecting 17 loose balls and forcing 10 turnovers.

Sorensen has spent his entire career with the Stealth organization since being drafted by the team, second overall in the 2006 NLL Entry Draft.

In 112 career games he’s scored 71 points (28 goals, 41 assists), collected 492 loose balls and forced 51 turnovers.

 â€œWhile this decision was a tough one for Kyle, it’s the right decision to have this procedure done now to allow him to return next season fully healthy,” Locker said. “Kyle is a very important part of our organization and the fact that he will be doing his rehabilitation in B.C. this spring will allow him to be fully engaged with the team during the coming season, albeit in a non-playing capacity.”

Sorensen was an assistant captain when the Stealth won the NLL Champion’s Cup in 2010 and captained the team to an NLL finals appearance in 2013.

“We will obviously need to restructure our leadership group and will make those decisions in the coming weeks,” Locker noted.