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EXPANSION DRAFT TODAY AT 4PM ET

07/11/2006

The list of players available to New York and Chicago in the Expansion Draft has now become clear. Each of the eleven returning teams have submitted their lists of protected players to the league. Each team was allowed to protect a maximum of fourteen players, consisting of one goaltender and thirteen runners (forwards/defensemen), leaving at least nine players from their current 23-man roster unprotected and therefore available in the Expansion Draft. Teams also had the option of protecting two goaltenders and ten runners. Some of the notable players left available include Arizona forward Pat Maddalena, Toronto defenseman Brian Beisel, Calgary goaltender Curtis Palidwor and Colorado forward Dan Stroup. New York and Chicago can each select up
to eleven players in the Expansion Draft, which takes place on Wednesday, July 12th at 4PM ET via conference call. The Chicago Shamrox will select first.


ARIZONA STING PROTECTED LIST

F Matt Brown
F Craig Conn
F Dan Dawson
F Chris McKay
F Lindsay Plunkett
F Andy Secore
F Peter Veltman
D Bruce Codd
D Greg Hinman
D Peter Lough
D Bruce Murray
D Scott Self
D Chris Seller
G Rob Blasdell

After an 8-8 season in 2006, Bob Hamley and the Arizona Sting return a powerful team that has the potential to return to the Champion's Cup Final. The offensive unit includes both Craig Conn and Dan Dawson, as well as young players such as Matt Brown and Andy Secore. Arizona also protected defensemen Bruce Codd, Peter Lough and Chris Seller. The Sting elected to protect only one goaltender, Rob Blasdell, leaving Mike Miron exposed in the Expansion Draft.

KEY UNPROTECTED PLAYERS:

Mike Miron has been the starting goaltender for the franchise since 2002, but split time with Rob Blasdell when he was acquired by the Sting this season. Miron led Arizona to the 2005 Champion's Cup Final in goal. In 2006, Miron finished with a 74.2% save percentage and a 12.41 goals against average in seven games. Nicknamed 'Tiny', Miron checks in 5-10, 295 pounds.

Pat Maddalena finished third in scoring for the Sting in 2006 with 58 points (24 goals, 34 assists) in 15 games. Maddalena has been a serious scoring threat throughout his seven-year career, scoring 195 goals in 103 games played. The 28-year old is a native of Welland, Ontario.

Andrew Guindon appeared in 12 games for the Sting in 2006, scoring 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists). The 25-year old defenseman is a native of Vancouver. Guindon has five years of NLL experience, including three seasons with the Philadelphia Wings.


BUFFALO BANDITS PROTECTED LIST

F Cory Bomberry
F Jason Crosbie
F Delby Powless
F Mark Steenhuis
F John Tavares
F Dan Teat
F Roger Vyse
D Kyle Couling
D Kyle Laverty
D Pat McCready
D Jeff Shattler
D Billy Dee Smith
D Chris White
G Steve Dietrich

The Bandits hope to successfully defend their East Division Title in 2006, and they have a powerful lineup in place to do so. All-time points leader John Tavares leads an offense that features Cory Bomberry, Jason Crosbie, Mark Steenhuis and Delby Powless. The Bandits also protected six defensemen, including Kyle Couling, Kyle Laverty and Pat McCready. Steve Dietrich is also protected, and is expected to return for his 14th season between the pipes.

KEY UNPROTECTED PLAYERS:

Chris Langdale is an eight-year veteran who played his entire career in Toronto and Buffalo. Langdale won two titles with the Rock in 1999 and 2000. The 33-year old is dangerous on transition as well, recording 23 goals and 53 assists in his career. Langdale played the first four years of his career in Toronto, and was ironically the first overall selection in the 2001 Expansion Draft, which was traded to Buffalo.

Jon Harasym is a forward who appeared in nine games for the Bandits in 2006, scoring 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists). The 27-year old has four years experience in the league, with previous stints in Columbus, Rochester and Minnesota. Harasym is a native of Edmonton.

Bryan Kazarian is a solid offensive player who has played the last three seasons in Buffalo. In 43 career games, Kazarian has scored 9 goals and 34 assists. The 24-year old is a native of Owen Sound, Ontario.


CALGARY ROUGHNECKS PROTECTED LIST

F Kevin Dostie
F Kyle Goundrey
F Tracey Kelusky
F Lewis Ratcliff
F Kaleb Toth
F Jason Wulder
D Craig Gelsvik
D Rob Kirkby
D Andrew McBride
D Ryan McNish
D Jeff Moleski
D Devan Wray
D Taylor Wray
G Ryan Avery

The Calgary Roughnecks, who have advanced to the playoffs in each of the last four seasons, certainly have the tools in place to make another run at the Champion's Cup. The Roughnecks return offensive stars Tracey Kelusky, Kaleb Toth and Lewis Ratcliff, as well as All-Star defenseman Taylor Wray and Craig Gelsvik. The Roughnecks have elected to protect backup goaltender Ryan Avery, as starter Curtis Palidwor is an Unrestricted Free Agent.

KEY UNPROTECTED PLAYERS:

Jesse Phillips is an outstanding transition player with five years of NLL experience, with nearly his entire career in Calgary. Phillips scored four goals in the 2004 playoffs as a defenseman. In 2006, Phillips appeared in only eight games, scoring seven points (2 goals, 5 assists). The 31-year old is a native of British Columbia.

Curtis Palidwor is one of the top goaltenders in the league as the Roughnecks starter for the last four seasons. The six-year veteran also had stints in Montreal and Columbus. Palidwor was second in the league last year in save percentage (79.1%) and fifth in goals against average (10.69). Palidwor is an Unrestricted Free Agent, so any team selecting him in the Expansion Draft must designate him as a Franchise Player to retain his rights.

Andrew Leyshon was the primary backup goaltender in Calgary for the last two seasons. The 26-year old is a native of British Columbia, and has four years of NLL experience.


COLORADO MAMMOTH PROTECTED LIST

F Andrew Burkholder
F Dan Carey
F Nick Carlson
F Brian Langtry
F Ben Prepchuk
F Gavin Prout
F Josh Sims
D Rich Catton
D Tom Ethington
D John Gallant
D Jamie Hanford
D Jay Jalbert
D Matt Leveque
G Gee Nash

The Colorado Mammoth protected the bulk of their 2006 Championship roster, including forwards Gavin Prout and Brian Langtry, and defensemen Jay Jalbert and Rich Catton. The Mammoth protected only one goaltender, Gee Nash, which makes Chris Levis available in the Expansion Draft.

KEY UNPROTECTED PLAYERS:

Dan Stroup scored 22 goals and 12 assists in 15 games for the Mammoth in 2006. The ten-year veteran has scored 30 goals in three previous seasons, including a 70-point performance (34 goals, 36 assists) in 2003. The 38-year old has four NLL Championship rings.

Mike Law had a handful of outstanding seasons, scoring 47 goals and 67 assists in 37 career games with Vancouver and Anaheim. Law, who is a native of Denver, joined the Mammoth in 2006, but only saw action in three games, recording two goals and one assist.

Scott Stapleford is a solid defensemen with five years of NLL experience. The 25-year old appeared in 30 games for the Mammoth in 2004 and 2005, but only saw action in three games in 2006.

Chris Levis joined the Mammoth this season after taking a three-year break from the NLL. Levis, who has four years of experience in the league, previously played on Buffalo, New York and Columbus. In 2006, Levis saw action in 10 games, finishing with an 11.47 goals against average and a 78.8% save percentage.


EDMONTON RUSH PROTECTED LIST

F Jason Clark
F Brad Dairon
F Randy Daly
F Mat Giles
F A.J. Shannon
F Kevin Howard
F Jim Quinlan
F Kerry Susheski
D Cam Bergman
D Rory Glaves
D Chris McElroy
D Buck Stobart
D Andrew Turner
G Pat Campbell

Paul Day's Edmonton Rush were able to protect the bulk of their young talented lineup. Although the team finished 1-15 last year in their expansion season, the Rush have the core of their lineup returning, including forwards Kevin Howard, Jimmy Quinlan and Brad Dairon, as well as All-Star defenseman Andrew Turner and goaltender Pat Campbell.

KEY UNPROTECTED PLAYERS:

Jamey Bowen led Edmonton in scoring last season with 43 points (19 goals, 24 assists), however, at 37 years old, expansion teams may be discouraged to select him. Bowen is also a native of Edmonton, and his ties to the community may further deter the Chicago and New York clubs. The University of Alberta graduate is a High School teacher, and also owns a restaurant and bar in Edmonton.

Jordan Cornfield was a key free agent signing for the Rush last year. At 23 years old, he was one of the top available young forwards in the league. However, after a strong training camp, Cornfield saw limited action, scoring two goals and one assist in only six games last year.

Ted Jenner is a solid defenseman with five years of NLL experience under his belt. After being drafted by Rochester in 2002, the 27-year old bounced around the league, playing in Anaheim, Minnesota, and Edmonton. The Victoria native is excellent on transition, and is a graduate of Mercyhurst College.

Dwight Maetche is the oldest player in the NLL at 46 years old, and his experience has been extremely valuable to the Rush as a young expansion team. Maetche was the backup goaltender to Pat Campbell last season, but saw action in nine games, with an 11.29 goals against average. The Portland native has nine years of NLL experience. Maetche is an Unrestricted Free Agent.


MINNESOTA SWARM PROTECTED LIST

F Andrew Biers
F Kasey Beirnes
F Chad Culp
F Kelly Hall
F Sean Pollock
F Scott Stewart
F Noah Talbot
F Ryan Ward
D Brock Boyle
D Ryan Cousins
G Nick Patterson
G Matt Disher

After advancing to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, the Minnesota Swarm have a talented young lineup that will certainly be impressive again in 2007. Leading scorers Ryan Ward, Chad Culp and Kasey Beirnes all are protected, as well as All-Star defenseman Ryan Cousins. The Swarm have elected to protect both of their goaltenders, Nick Patterson and Matt Disher, so they can only protect 10 runners.

KEY UNPROTECTED PLAYERS:

Mark Miyashita was a former first overall pick, in the 2004 Entry Draft, but the 25-year old has bounced around the league since, with stints in Vancouver, Colorado and Minnesota. On top of being an excellent defenseman, the Vancouver native is also solid in the faceoff circle. Miyashita is a graduate of Canisius College.

Jamie Taylor is one of the top offensive players available in the expansion draft, as he was fifth in scoring for the Swarm last season with 32 points (8 goals and 24 assists) in 15 games. Taylor, who has six years NLL experience, has played on five different teams in his career. The 26-year old is a native of Hamilton, Ontario.

Spencer Martin has been a solid offensive player, scoring 13 points (7 goals, 6 assists) in 9 games for the Swarm last season. The 26-year old has five years of NLL experience, with stints in Columbus, Philadelphia, San Jose and Minnesota. Martin is a native of British Columbia.


PHILADELPHIA WINGS PROTECTED LIST

F Jake Bergey
F Keith Cromwell
F Sean Greenhalgh
F Dan Marohl
F Marc Morley
F Jeff Ratcliffe
F Mike Regan
D Dan Finck
D Thomas Hajek
D Peter Jacobs
D Sean Nadelen
D Kyle Sweeney
D Rob Van Beek
G Matt Roik

The Philadelphia Wings finished the 2006 regular season with an 8-8 record, but missed the playoffs on a three-way tiebreaker. The Wings continue to build, and return an impressive lineup for 2007. Jake Bergey, Sean Greenhalgh and Jeff Ratcliffe are back on offense, while Tom Hajek, Peter Jacobs and Rob Van Beek are the top protected players on defense, with Matt Roik in goal.

KEY UNPROTECTED PLAYERS:

Rich Brzeski appeared in 15 games in 2006 for the Wings. Brzeski has played his entire five-year career with Philadelphia. The 28-year old defenseman is a graduate of Rutgers University.

Jeff Spano has five years of NLL experience, all with Philadelphia. Spano has appeared in 60 career games, scoring 20 goals and 57 assists. The 27-year old is a graduate of Drexel University.

Erik Miller is an eight-year veteran goaltender who served as backup to Matt Roik in 2006. In seven games, Miller finished with an 11.29 goals against average and a 72.8% save percentage. Miller is regarded as the top American goalkeeper in the league.


PORTLAND LUMBERJAX PROTECTED LIST

F Ryder Bateman
F Del Halladay
F Mike Hominuck
F Ryan Marshall
F Peter Morgan
F Richard Morgan
F Casey Powell
F Ryan Powell
D Bruce Alexander
D Luke Forget
D Pat Jones
D Brodie Merrill
D Ryan Sharp
G Dallas Eliuk

Derek Keenan and the Portland LumberJax had an impressive run in 2006, winning the West Division with an 11-5 record in their expansion season. Portland protected Rookie of the Year Brodie Merrill, who scooped 214 loose balls last year, as well as leading scorers Peter Morgan, Mike Hominuck, and Ryan and Casey Powell. The LumberJax also protected veteran goaltender Dallas Eliuk, but were forced to leave Matt King exposed.

KEY UNPROTECTED PLAYERS:

Matt King saw action in eight games behind Dallas Eliuk, recording an 11.09 goals against average and a 76.9% save percentage. The 25-year old is a native of British Columbia, where he works as a teacher. King, who is one of the top young goalkeepers in the league, has five years of NLL experience, and had his best year to date in 2006.

Adam Bysouth is a transition player with four years of NLL experience. In 2006, Bysouth recorded four assists and scooped 30 loose balls in 13 games for the LumberJax. The 27-year old is a native of British Columbia.

Damien Davis is a big and tough defenseman with three years of NLL experience. Davis played two seasons in Anaheim before joining the LumberJax last year. The Baltimore native is a graduate of Princeton, and currently works as a financial analyst on the East Coast.

Matt Dwane has been a key defenseman for a number of teams over his five-year NLL career. Previously playing for Vancouver, and Anaheim, the 29-year old recorded 16 points (9 goals, 7 assists) and scooped 57 loose balls last year in 13 games for the Jax. Dwane is a native of British Columbia.


ROCHESTER KNIGHTHAWKS PROTECTED LIST

F Mike Accursi
F Sandy Chapman
F Brian Croswell
F Scott Evans
F Shawn Evans
F John Grant
F Shawn Williams
D Marshall Abrams
D Scott Ditzell
D Bill Greer
D Stephen Hoar
D Chris Schiller
D Steve Toll
G Pat O'Toole

The Rochester Knighthawks return the core of their lineup, including All-Pro forward John Grant, Mike Accursi and Shawn Williams on offense. Marshall Abrams heads a solid defense, along with Stephen Hoar and transition players Chris Schiller and Steve Toll. Pat O'Toole will return for his ninth season in a Knighthawks uniform.

KEY UNPROTECTED PLAYERS:

Ken Millin is an eight-year veteran, who has always been a contributor on Championship caliber teams. Millin played six seasons for the Toronto Rock before his two-year stint with Rochester. In 83 career games, Millin has recorded 45 goals and 81 assists. Ken is a native of Brampton, Ontario, where he works as a teacher.

Ryan O'Connor is an eight-year veteran who has scored at will since joining the Knighthawks in 2004. However, the British Columbia native only saw action in seven games in 2006, scoring 11 points (5 goals, 6 assists). The 28-year old works as a financial advisor.

Steve Penny has started on defense since joining the Knighthawks in 2003, but has only seen action in 14 games in the last two years. The 29-year old has 10 goals and 19 assists in his five years in the league.


SAN JOSE STEALTH PROTECTED LIST

F Ryan Boyle
F Kevin Fines
F Curtis Hodgson
F Derek Malawsky
F Gary Rosyski
F Cam Sedgwick
F Luke Wiles
F Jeff Zywicki
D Ian Hawksbee
D Eric Martin
D Jim Moss
D Chad Thompson
D Cam Woods
G Anthony Cosmo

The San Jose Stealth hope to rebound from a dissapointing season, in which they finished 5-11. They have the framework in place, with 2005 Rookie of the Year Ryan Boyle, as well as Gary Rosyski and Jeff Zywicki on offense. Former Defensemen of the Year Jim Moss and Cam Woods head a powerful defense, with Anthony Cosmo anchoring the team in goal.

KEY UNPROTECTED PLAYERS:

Brandon Miller has played his entire six-year career with the franchise, and has always been solid with an 11.9 career goals against average. The 27-year old finished with an 11.49 goals against average in 2006, despite an 0-4 record. Miller is a native of Orangeville, Ontario.

Matt Vinc was one of the top prospects out of the 2005 Entry Draft, but behind established goaltenders Anthony Cosmo and Brandon Miller, Vinc only saw action in one game in his rookie season. The 24-year old graduated Canisius College, where he played defense, and he is also a member of Team Canada in the upcoming World Field Lacrosse Championships.

Darren Reisig is a veteran defenseman who played in every game for the Stealth last season. The 38-year old recorded 10 points (5 goals, 5 assists) and scooped 47 loose balls. Reisig, who has five years of NLL experience, currently resides in Victoria, British Columbia.


TORONTO ROCK PROTECTED LIST

F Colin Doyle
F Blaine Manning
F Tim O'Brien
F Josh Sanderson
F Jim Veltman
F Aaron Wilson
D Scott Campbell
D Chris Driscoll
D Brad MacDonald
D Rob Marshall
D Patrick Merrill
D Phil Sanderson
D Derek Suddons
G Bob Watson

Glenn Clark has an excellent veteran roster in his first year as Head Coach of the Toronto Rock. Forwards Colin Doyle, Blaine Manning, Josh Sanderson and Aaron Wilson all return. Jim Veltman is protected as well, along with defensemen Chris Driscoll, Pat Merrill, Derek Suddons and Phil Sanderson. Starting goaltender Bob Watson will also return.

KEY UNPROTECTED PLAYERS:

Brian Beisel is a nine-year NLL veteran who has played the last two seasons in Toronto. The defenseman has appeared in 104 regular season games throughout is career. The 31-year old recorded 15 points (3 goals, 12 assists) and scooped 64 loose balls in 15 games last season. Beisel is a native of Brampton, Ontario.

Rusty Kruger is a nine-year NLL veteran who has played the last two seasons in Toronto. The 31-year old was originally drafted by Rochester in 1998, where he played for four seasons before stings in New York, San Jose and Toronto. Kruger has surpassed has scored 117 goals and 109 assists in 91 career games.

Ian Rubel has played in the NLL for six years, all in Toronto with the exception of his rookie season. The 28-year old defenseman appeared in 12 games last season, recording 2 assists and scooping 21 loose balls. Rubel is a native of St. Catharine's, Ontario.

Phil Wetherup is an experienced goaltender who has been in the league for six seasons. The 29-year was a starter for the Buffalo Bandits in 2001, before stints in New York, Columbus, Arizona and Toronto as the backup goaltender. Wetherup saw action in two games last year, recording 20 saves and allowed six goals.