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NLL Trade: Ilija Gajic to Colorado, Gavin Prout to Rochester, Picks moved

In a huge National Lacrosse League (NLL) trade announced late today, involving three players and three future first-round draft selections, the Colorado Mammoth secured the rights to Ilija Gajic, the ‘Bellies player who NLL Insider had ranked as the top player in this year’s NLL Entry Draft.

Ilija was widely speculated to be traded to Colorado following this year’s NLL Entry Draft to re-unite with his brothers. The Mammoth also grabbed a first-round draft pick in 2012.

In exchange, the Rochester Knighthawks pick-up Gavin Prout, Andrew Potter and two first-round draft picks in 2010. Prout had been Colorado’s captain since 2005 and leaves as the franchise’s all-time leading scorer.

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NLL: How are the Titans taking to Orlando?

The New York Titans were one of the league’s best on-field success stories, finding their way to the 2009 championship game in only their third season.

With the franchise’s relocation to Orlando, the Titans are now hoping off-field success will follow.

“The early feedback has been very positive,” says Steve Donner, president of the Titans. “Our expenses to operate the team are considerably less and the rent is much more reasonable (in comparison to New York). READ MORE »

NLL Girls

NLL Girl of the Week off-season title match: It’s Corina vs. Amanda

It just doesn’t get much better than this. It’s a perfect storm of sorts, borrowing from a classic rivalry setting to whet your appetite for the upcoming National Lacrosse League season, specifically for you clowns in Rochester and Buffalo. OK, maybe that’s a bit of a stretch as far as getting you ready for the season, but when it comes to just about anything Buffalo vs. Rochester, it’s always about winning. So even if this is “only” an off-season title for the NLL Girl of the Week contest, finalist Amanda from Buffalo and Corina from Rochester should bring out the best from both cities. READ MORE »

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Lacrosse Links: Australian Lacrosse Fans Impressed By All-Star Series

We’re officially a week removed from the NLL All-Star Series in Australia and even still, the East’s two-game sweep over the West remains a hot topic among lacrosse fans, and not necessarily for the games themselves. Sure there were highlight reel goals from the likes of John Grant, Jr., Gary Gait and Mark Steenhuis and even a fight between Australian players Wes Green and Keith Nyberg, but don’t forget that more than 7,000 fans showed up to watch, which would rank 10th in the NLL if it was put alongside the league’s season average attendance numbers. Needless to say, the sport is set to take some big strides down under in the near future.
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NLL Top 50

NLL Insider Top 50: Mike Carnegie #42

Mike Carnegie (Photo: Larry Palumbo)

That picture of Mike Carnegie just over to the right there, the one where he’s sportin’ a pretty big grin on his mug, see it? Any guess on why the kid might be so damn happy?

Might have something to do with the fact that he’s picked up the last three major indoor ball titles (‘09 Champion’s Cup, ‘08 & ‘09 Mann Cup). Could be due to the two massive playoff goals he scored for both Calgary (game winner in Champ Cup vs. New York) or Brampton (OT forcing goal in Game 7 of the Mann vs. New West). Or it could be that he’s slowly becoming one of the most consistent, steady defenders in the game period. READ MORE »

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Lacrosse Links: Kaleb Toth Resigns with Riggers

Slam Sports put together a story on Kaleb Toth leading the Roughnecks to a title defense the day after he signed. Check it out here.

Also, because it’s something of a light links day, here’s a story from the San Jose Mercury News about a California lacrosse player with Canadian blood heading to Prince George to play hockey. I wonder if he’ll still get to play lacrosse.
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NLL Fan Poll

Up for debate: Faceoff style

We get pretty amped when we see the two fellas stroll into the circle for the faceoff because we know that the action’s about to get started. Crouching, sticks on the ground with the crosse hugging the lacrosse ball, we know that once that ref’s hand drops, it comes with the whistle and game is on! But, we ask, can faceoffs be any cooler than they already are? What we see in the National Lacrosse League is the two drawmen with their backs to the goal. What if the drawmen had their backs to the side boards? That’s the question we present today. READ MORE »

Back in the Day

Looking back with … Jeff Klodzen

There was no draft party for Jeff Klodzen back in 1991. He wasn’t even a draft choice. All he did was make the right friends in the right places and when you’re playing in a lacrosse tournament in Syracuse that pits an All-Star team against a World team, that’s the right place. Especially when that place includes fellas like Ronny Klausner and Dave Pietramala, who convince you to move to Baltimore. That’s the story of Klodzen, whose pro box lacrosse career took him from Pittsburgh to Baltimore and then back home to Syracuse, where he lives today and looks back on his pro career with fondness. And no, we didn’t forsake a picture this week. We just got our hands on a gem and wanted to tease ya by making you click the “read more” button to see it. READ MORE »

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Lacrosse Links: Highlights from NLL’s trip Down Under

The NLL has video highlights posted of the weekend’s action in Australia, which saw the east take both games of the NLL All Star Series, 24-16 and 20-19. The games, played in Melbourne, were the first professional games ever played outside of North America. READ MORE »

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Dan Stroup retires from National Lacrosse League

After 13 years playing the pro game, Dan Stroup has officially hung 'em up. (Photo: Matt J. Wiater)

The National Lacrosse League has officially announced the retirement of 13-year pro vet Dan Stroup, who played his final season with the Portland Lumberjax this past season, his rights going to the Rochester Knighthawks after the Portland dispersal draft held earlier this off-season.

Stroup put his stamp on the NLL while playing for the Toronto Rock, where he won three Champion’s Cups with the franchise, playing a hugely important role on the Rock’s offense, scoring a career high 37 goals in Toronto in his final season with the team in ‘02. READ MORE »