Below are some of the smaller items which made news in the National Lacrosse League in September 2001, including trades, rumors, odd facts and injury updates.

28 September 2001:
      The Vancouver Sun today singled out Toronto and Philadelphia as possible hosts for a relocated All Star Game, targeting the league's two strongest draws (the Rock and Wings each attracted better than 15,000 fans per game last season). As we reported yesterday, the NLL is contemplating whether to play the exhibition in Orlando as scheduled, move it to an NLL city, or simply cancel it for this season. The decision is being forced by a weak travel market in the wake of the 11 September terrorist attacks. With the game's financial success predicated on players, league officials, fans and their families vacationing in central Florida that week, there is no sense in holding the All Star Game there if a large crowd can't be gathered.
      The Montreal Express has traded goaltender Nick Schroeder to the Philadelphia Wings, receiving the Wings' second-round selection in the 2002 NLL Entry Draft in return. Schroeder, who served last season as the Toronto Rock's third-string goaltender, was acquired from the Rock during this year's draft for Darren Mutch and Wayne Burke. There's still no official word on Chris Sanderson, the Wings' backup goaltender who has become the subject of rumors that he was traded to Montreal.
      Yesterday, the New Jersey Storm announced that it had reached a three-year deal with STX, making the Baltimore company the team's official equipment supplier through the 2003-2004 season. As part of the deal, the Storm will use STX gloves, jerseys, sticks, and other gear, and STX will receive television and in-arena plugs. "We are elated that an industry leader such as STX is making a long-term commitment to the New Jersey Storm franchise," said Michael Rowe, president of the company which operates the Storm. "The Storm will proudly wear the STX logo."
      Following the team's first weekend of tryouts, the Vancouver Ravens cut five players -- Colby Rope, Aaron Zader, Brad Downey, Rich Cattermole, and Chris Pavan. "[The tryout camp] was even more intense than we counted on," said Ravens head coach Paul Dal Monte. "The players made the decisions we had to make very difficult ones and we're convinced it will continue to be that way as we move toward our regular season roster size of 23." Five players could not participate, due to injuries, including Mark Neufeld (partially torn ACL), Jeff Hanson (sprained ankle), Jamey Bowen (hamstring), Kevin Brunsch (arthroscopic surgery), and Scott Whitley (mild concussion). Camp continues Saturday (11:00-1:00, and 6:30-8:30) and Sunday (11:00-1:00) at Sportstown BC in Richmond, BC.

 

27 September 2001:
      Yogi Berra once said, "If the people don't want to come out to the ballpark, nobody's going to stop them." That problem now confronts the NLL in regards to its All Star Game, which, due to the recent terrorist attacks and its dramatic effect on air travel, must decide what to do with the midseason exhibition. The premise behind scheduling it for a Tuesday night in Orlando, FL, hundreds of miles from NLL territory, was to allow players, executives and fans to enjoy a long vacation in Florida. However, if there's little interest in a winter junket, the NLL would probably be better off holding the game at the home arena of a member team, or simply not holding this year at all. In today's teleconference to announce the Canadian TV deal, commissioner Jim Jennings said that the owners were debating among the three options -- play as scheduled, change venue, or cancel -- and that a decision should expected within two weeks.

 

22 September 2001:
      The Albany Attack has resigned Mike Regan, agreeing to terms with the forward on a one-year deal. In 13 games with the Attack last season, Regan scored 18 goals and assisted on seven others. He was the only American on the Attack roster last season, his rookie campaign.
      Vancouver sports mogul David Stadnyk has decided to sell his stake in the Vancouver Ravens, two months prior to the expansion team's debut game. No reason was given. There is no risk of the Ravens failing to appear this season, though. "This is something that has been in the works for some time," said Ravens co-owner and governor Tom Mayenknecht. "It will not affect the day-to-day operation of the team." The new owners will be introduced within the next few weeks.
      The Washington Power has promoted Steve Govett from Executive Vice President to the title of President. "Steve is a tremendous resource for the Power," Washington Power owner Steve Comiskey said. "His experience on the field and in the front office is evident in his ability to craft a successful team of players and coaches, as well as an expanding organization to support them. Steve has shown that he has the exemplary leadership required to continue to keep the Power at the forefront of the National Lacrosse League." Govett will continue to serve as the Power's general manager.
      In other Washington Power news, the team has resigned unrestricted free agent defenseman Rodney Tapp to a one-year contract. Tapp recovered 88 loose balls and accumulated a 125-113 record on faceoffs in thirteen games with the Power in 2001.

 

18 September 2001:
      Chris Gill has informed the Toronto Rock that he will only play for the Vancouver Ravens in the coming season, due to the lengthy commutes from his home in British Columbia. "Every home game ends up being a three-and-half day excursion," Gill said. "And it's almost a four-day thing for a road game... I'm not demanding a trade. My lacrosse career has to end one day or another. It would just be nice if they could swing things with Vancouver. I'd love to play here." With Dan Stroup openly pining to play for Vancouver and the Ravens openly coveting Kaleb Toth, there could be a parade of talent heading from Air Canada Centre to GM Place this fall, but Rock coach and GM Les Bartley has his doubts. "I'm not giving away guys so I can help the league," said the five-time MILL/NLL champion, who adds that he'd rather trade Toth to the Calgary Roughnecks.
      The Washington Power will hold an open tryout this weekend at Capital Centre in Largo, Md. To apply or for more information, contact Alexandra Santiago of the Power, at 301.324.1755. Completed applications must be returned by Wednesday, 19 September.

 

13 September 2001:
      The NLL offices reopened today, two days after a series of vile terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington. Commissioner Jim Jennings released the following statement today in resuming the NLL's day-to-day business: "The entire NLL is deeply saddened by the lives lost in this tragedy and grieves for the families of victims. We are certain the perpetrators will eventually suffer the consequences for their actions. Our New York offices have re-opened for business, and we would like to thank all of those who have expressed concern for our welfare over the last two days."
      While the NLL has not officially released information on players, the Major League Lacrosse field circuit -- which has many of the same players as NLL -- announced that it has accounted for all of its players as best it can. Also, Shae Sperry of the Philadelphia Wings, in replying to fan inquiries, has said via e-mail, "We haven't heard anything to indicate that any Wings players have been directly affected."

 

11 September 2001:
      The NLL is advertising available positions as official league representatives, both for off-field observers and regional operational directors. Off-field observers will serve at eight NLL games, with duties including observing the game officials, reporting any incidents that may require additional disciplinary action, and completing game evaluation reports. Regional operational directors will also serve at eight games, with duties to include enforcement of league operational regulations in a variety of areas including visiting team’s travel accommodations, pre-game inspection of playing field and access for warmups, and compliance with other pre-game and post game requirements. Both positions are part-time and seasonal, pay $100 (American) per game, and require that applicants live in the vicinity of a current NLL city. Lacrosse experience (coach, player, official, etc.) is expected of off-field observers, but is not required of operational directors. Fax résumés to NLL vice president of lacrosse operations Barry Powless at 917.510.9890, or email to Bpowless@Nationallacrosse.com (no phone calls, please).

 

10 September 2001:
      The NLL has called a telephone press conference for Wednesday at 11:00 AM, to announce its Canadian television deal. Not much is known about the deal, except for the near-certainty that it will be with one of the expected candidates (CTV SportsNet or Headline Sports) rather than a more obscure choice and the rumor that the winning network may actually pay a rights fee for the games (as opposed to buying the air time or a revenue-sharing plan, such as the one NLL made with CNN/SI). NLL commissioner Jim Jennings and Molson Canada's Jo-Ann McArthur, representative of the Canadian broadcast partner, will be speaking.

 

6 September 2001:
      The Montreal Express will unveil its logo and uniform design at a press conference this coming Tuesday (11 September) at 1:00 PM Eastern time. The team's primary colors are believed to be blue and gold.
      A month ago, we reported that Rochester Knighthawks radio play-by-play announcer Dan Carpenter was stepping away from the microphone but would stay in the team's front office. However, Carpenter has since decided to leave the Steve Donner family of sports franchises completely (he has been director of corporate sales for the Knighthawks, AHL's Americans, A-League's Rhinos, and MLL's Rattlers), in order to become vice president of marketing for the ECHL's Greenville Growl and af2's Carolina Rhinos.

 

4 September 2001:
      The Philadelphia Wings completed their coaching staff today, naming former stars Chris Flynn and Paul Deniken as assistants to new head coach Adam Mueller. "Paul and Chris make great additions to the Wings family," Wings GM Marty O’Neill said. "We feel that their experiences will compliment Adam [Mueller’s] for a great staff. They were both great players who can translate their knowledge to our current roster. They both have an understanding of how this team expects to work hard and win games, as well as a great love of the Philadelphia fans." Flynn, who will run the offense, played ten years for the Wings (1990-1999), accumulating 154 points (66 goals, 88 assists) in 94 regular season and playoff games. He currently stands third in regular season team history in loose balls recovered (382), fourth in games played (82), and fifth in penalty minutes (78). Deniken, the Wings' defensive coordinator, played eight seasons in Philadelphia (1991-1998), totalling 189 points (92 + 97) in 73 games overall. His 21 career postseason goals are good for fourth-best in team history. Both new assistant coaches won titles with the Wings in 1994, 1995, and 1998, and Flynn earned a fourth ring in his debut season.

 

3 September 2001:
      The Long Island Lizards won the first annual Major League Lacrosse championship today, defeating the Baltimore Bayhawks, 15-11. The star of the game was Paul Gait, who scored seven goals for the Lizards (tying a league record). After the game, Gait offered a little insight into when his illustrious career would end. After originally claiming he didn't know if he'd play MLL next summer ("I play every game as though it will be my last"), Gait said after the game that he's up for more. "I plan on being back in this position again next year," the Washington Power star said. It was already a poorly-guarded secret that he plans to end his indoor activity after the coming 2001-2002 season.
      One guy you should not expect to see in NLL any time soon is Casey Powell, the former number-one draft pick who was traded from the Rochester Knighthawks to the Buffalo Bandits this summer. "I've been part of [MLL] from the beginning, when I heard about it three years ago," Powell, also a Long Island Lizard, said. "I'm just going to celebrate Major League Lacrosse, right now, especially with this win, and the feeling I have here right now. I'm here to play Major League Lacrosse... That's what I grew up playing, outdoor field lacrosse, and that's what I'll continue to play." Somewhere, Kurt Silcott must be frowning -- the Bandits' GM was looking forward to reuniting Casey with younger brother Ryan in the box, especially after each of them expressed an interest this past spring in such a pairing.

 

2 September 2001:
      Darris Kilgour, the current Washington Power head coach and a former bonecrusher for the Buffalo Bandits, doesn't think anything will come from the Power's selection of Jen Adams in August's entry draft. "There's just no way," Kilgour told Tom Borrelli of the Buffalo News. "I was surprised how seriously people took it. I think it was [Power General Manager Steve Govett's] sense of humor... She was just an unbelievable talent in college, but not only can you not check [in women's lacrosse], you can't even impede their progress to the net... If she was in the league and on another team, I would [hit her]... I'm sure I'd pull back my punches somewhat. And I know I'd be uncomfortable about it... There's just too much of a physical advantage a man has over a woman in indoor [lacrosse]... I don't think we'll be bringing her to camp.""