Note: Fifth paragraph edited and sixth paragraph inserted (12 September 2002) to reflect clarification regarding public attendance of entry draft.

The Ottawa Rebel today traded Mike Benedict to New Jersey for the Storm's two picks in the upcoming dispersal draft.

Benedict led the Rebel in assists (47) and points (82) in 2002, and was second on the team in goals scored (35) and power play goals (11). He joins newly-acquired forward Roy Colsey to form a potent one-two scoring punch.

New Jersey actually receives the rights to sign Benedict, not a signed contract. Benedict is a restricted free agent, allowing him to sign with any team but leaving the Storm with the right to match any offer he receives.

Ottawa, meanwhile, doubles its stash of selections in the Saturday, 21 September dispersal draft, a special allocation made necessary when the Montreal Express suspended operations last month. The Rebel already owned the second pick in each round of the draft (2nd and 14th overall), and will now also select in the fourth slot (4th and 16th overall).

The dispersal draft will be held at 9:30 AM at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel in Toronto, behind closed doors. The annual entry draft will be held at noon the same day, at the Air Canada Centre's Platinum Club.

Seating in the Platinum Club is limited, and the league is still determining how many fans can be allowed in. Those interested in attending should contact the NLL's Doug Fritts, dfritts@nationallacrosse.com.

Columbus, a team which has built a powerful reputation for hoarding early-round entry draft picks, is sandwiched between the Rebel picks, drafting third- and fifteenth-overall in the dispersal draft. The Landsharks will keep busy later that day, with four entry draft picks in the top eight. A year ago, they had twelve picks in the top forty.

Today's trade leaves New Jersey with no selections in the dispersal draft. The other ten teams in the league still own both of their picks, with Calgary slated to make the first selection. However, the Roughnecks have reportedly fielded offers from just about every other team for the pick, almost certain to be used on star forward Tracey Kelusky.

After Ottawa' second pick in each each round of the dispersal draft, the selection order is as follows: New York, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Colorado, Vancouver, Rochester, Albany and Toronto.

The first pick in the entry draft belongs to Toronto, via a trade with Calgary a year ago. Columbus then drafts second, third, and fourth, while Buffalo picks fifth. The order for the rest of the first round is Philadelphia, Ottawa, Columbus, Ottawa, Toronto, Rochester, Albany and Toronto.