Forward Gordon Purdie of the New York Saints and forward Mike Hasen of the Rochester Knighthawks were named today as National Lacrosse League Commissioner John Livsey’s selections for the inaugural NLL All-Star Game. Purdie will play for the World All-Star Team while Hasen will suit up for the Canadian All-Stars.

"Gordon Purdie brings many years of pro indoor experience to next weekend’s game, along with many games in international competition," Mr. Livsey said. "We’re excited about showcasing our game’s best players and Gordon is a great ambassador. His enthusiasm shows in all the time he spends away from the arena helping to promote the game he loves, through his clinics and other work with so many community groups."

The Commissioner further stated, "the fans in attendance next weekend are in for a great night of entertainment. This All-Star Game will be at a level as intense as our regular season games and certainly, with national pride on the line, will be a close checking, intense affair. For that reason, a gritty, defensive player like Mike Hasen will certainly be a logical addition to the Canadian team."

Purdie, 32, attended Adelphi University and is in the tenth season of his pro career. Hasen, 26, went is a fourth-year player out of Brock University, and was this past week traded to the Knighthawks from Buffalo for Cam Bomberry and Rochester's third-round pick in the 1999 NLL draft.

The first-ever All-Star Game is next Saturday, 20 February, at the Blue Cross Arena at the Rochester War Memorial.