TORONTO RE-SIGNS FOUR FROM TITLE TEAM

The Toronto Rock have re-signed four members of the 2011 squad that captured the NLL Champion's Cup in May. Pat Campbell and Cam Woods have each agreed to two-year contracts while Glen Bryan and Rob Hellyer have each signed three-year contracts.

Pat Campbell served as the backup to Bob Watson last season in the first year of his second tour of duty with the Rock. Campbell and recently acquired Matt Roik are the two netminders currently under contract for the coming season.

12-year NLL veteran Cam Woods will return to the Rock for a fifth season as one of the anchors and leaders on the back end for the defending champs. Woods captured the first Champion's Cup of his NLL career this past May with Toronto.

After being the Rock's highest selection in the 2010 NLL Entry Draft defender Glen Bryan turned some heads with his defensive play in his rookie season in the NLL. He was also able to chip in at the offensive end of the floor in the NLL Championship Game as he scored on a breakaway to give the Rock a 1-0 lead. Bryan appeared in 9 regular season games scoring once and adding four assists. He played in each of Toronto's 3 playoff contests.

Rob Hellyer, the youngest player in the NLL in 2011, was Toronto's third pick in the 2010 draft as the Rock grabbed the offensive righty in the third round with the 30th overall selection. Hellyer made an immediate impact in his first NLL game with a goal against Philadelphia that was TSN's Highlight of the Night as the Rock downed the Wings. After appearing in just 3 regular season games, Hellyer dressed for each of Toronto's 3 playoff games scoring twice and collecting an assist.

Rock GM Terry Sanderson and his staff are presently preparing for the NLL Entry Draft which takes place on Wednesday, September 21 at the Don Valley Hotel in Toronto.

The Rock's first selection in the draft is the fourth pick in the second round, 13th overall. The Rock currently own 7 picks in the 6-round draft, which is open to the public.

CALGARY SIGNS POULIN TO THREE-YEAR DEAL

09/02/2011

The Calgary Roughnecks have announced the signing of goaltender Mike Poulin to a three year contract.

"We feel Mike is in the upper echelon of goalies in the National Lacrosse League. He is committed to the Roughnecks and was enthusiastic about a long-term deal. His is one of the leaders in our room and has a burning desire to win," said Roughnecks General Manager Mike Board. "Securing a goaltender with Mike's qualities over several years is important to our organization and was one of our top priorities in the off-season."

Poulin, a native of Waterloo, Ontario, spent the last season and a half backstopping the Calgary Roughnecks after being acquired in a trade from the Boston Blazers in February of 2010.

"Securing a multi-year deal for Mike`s services was a high priority, a reward for his dedication and commitment to his team," said Roughnecks Head Coach Dave Pym. "He gives us an opportunity to compete in every game. He strives to be a leader of character, competence and courage and really has that 'follow me' attitude. We know he is committed to coming to camp in peak physical and mental condition. We are ecstatic to know we have secured a great character player for years to come."

BUFFALO SIGNS GIBSON & THORIMBERT

Buffalo Bandits Director of Lacrosse Operations Scott Loffler today announced that the team has signed transition player Jay Thorimbert and defenseman Darryl Gibson each to a one-year contract.

Thorimbert (7/6/1986, 6'0", 200 lbs.) joined the Bandits last season, recording six points (1 5) in 14 games. He ranked second on the team with 84 faceoff wins and fifth on the team with 81 loose balls during the regular season. The Whitby, Ontario native has totaled 32 points and 317 loose balls in 44 career games with Buffalo, Minnesota and Boston.

Gibson (7/28/1976, 6'1", 205 lbs.) appeared in eight games for the Bandits last season, totaling 24 loose balls and eight penalty minutes. Gibson also dressed for both of the team's playoff games in 2011. The native of Maple, Ontario has recorded 96 points (28 68) in 132 career NLL games.

FREE AGENT MORGAN RE-SIGNS WITH MINNESOTA

The Minnesota Swarm have announced the signing of transition player Rich Morgan to a one-year contract. "Rich is one of the most popular players on the Swarm among both his teammates and our fans," Owner and President John Arlotta said. "He is a great person and a family man who represents everything we want in a Minnesota Swarm player."

Arlotta continued, "Rich was within one goal of winning a Champion's Cup in 2008 against Buffalo, and we think his veteran presence will help our younger players immensely. When Rich talks, people listen, and we are gratified that as a free agent he wanted to make a championship run in Minnesota."

Morgan, 32, posted 14 points (6g, 8a), and 35 loose balls in 15 games with Minnesota in 2011. He also scored a goal and collected four loose balls in the Swarm's 14-8 first round playoff loss to Washington. The Swarm acquired Morgan in a trade with Edmonton in exchange for its ninth overall selection in the 2009 NLL Entry Draft (9/9/09). The Port Coquitlam, British Columbia native went on to record nine points (4g, 5a), and 51 loose balls in 14 games in his first season with Minnesota in 2010.

"My two years in Minnesota have been very enjoyable," Morgan said. "The Swarm is a top-notch organization starting with John and Andy Arlotta. They take care of everything so you can just focus on what you need to do on the field. As far as the team goes, we have a great group of guys and the potential is there. I think we're just a step away from being a championship team and I wanted to be a part of that. Overall I've really enjoyed my time in Minnesota...the city, the fans, the arena, the team, and the owners. That's why I wanted to come back."

In eight career seasons, Morgan has tallied 148 points (77g, 71a) and 478 loose balls in 122 games. At 6-foot-8, 260-pounds, Morgan is one the league's most dynamic players with his ability to contribute on both sides of the floor.

"It's so tough to stop him," Associate General Manger Joe Sullivan said. "The trajectory of his shot is so different from any other player in the league because of where he is shooting the ball from. If he gets ahead of steam, he can't be stopped and he can just bully these big strong athletes over when he wants to get to the net. When he plays down low for us on defense, nobody gets to roll underneath the net and cause Nick Patterson any trouble. When he plays high for us, his wingspan covers two players and it only takes him one step to cut off any lane. I'm thrilled that he is coming back for another year and I'm sure all his teammates will be as well."