Toronto Rock confirm free agent and rookie training camp invitees, Jim Moss, Pat Campbell, Gee Nash and other surprises

November 16th, 2010 by Paul Tutka

After a few years away from the game due to serious health related issues, Jim Moss attempts a comeback with the Toronto Rock.

Former National Lacrosse League Defender of the Year Jim Moss headlines a surprising yet very competitive and experienced cast of players that will be taking part in the Toronto Rock’s Free Agent and Rookie Camp which opens on Wednesday November 17th at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Six Nations.

Moss, who last played for the Colorado Mammoth in 2008, initially took a season off to repair an injured shoulder, but was later diagnosed with Guillain Barre Syndrome, an illness that aggressively attacked Moss’ immune system and left him with paralysis in his legs and a loss of sensation in his hands and feet. Having to reteach his body how to do something as simple as walking, Moss now finds himself competing for a roster spot with the defending East champion Toronto Rock later this week.

Moss played for Rock GM and Assistant Coach Terry Sanderson in both Albany (NLL) and Brampton (MSL), winning a Mann Cup with Sanderson’s Excelsiors in 2002. Coincidently, Moss and Rock Head Coach Troy Cordingley were former teammates with the Attack in 2001. The current Rock hopeful also received mention in Insider’s recent poll asking, “Who is the best defensive defender in National Lacrosse League history?”

Also on the list of invitees includes former Goalie of the Year Gee Nash, rumoured to be in the Rock’s keeper mix for the past several weeks, former Rock backstop and 2009 Champion’s Cup winner Pat Campbell, the recently cut loose Chad Culp, St. Catharines Athletics & Carleton University stud Corey Fowler, and goalie prospect Matt Flindell, who guarded the WLA’s Victoria Shamrocks’ cage during the playoffs this past summer.

Also taking part will be last year’s backup Steve Dietrich, one of several goalies looking to battle for Toronto’s likely two main regular season goalie roster spots, Bob Watson’s future seemingly in doubt due to a new career with the Waterloo Region Police.

Check out the names that will be taking part in the early stages of Toronto’s camp below. Tryouts for these players starts tomorrow, extends to both days this weekend, and finishes up next Wednesday. The players that have impressed Rock staff enough will be offered an invite to the Rock’s main camp which kicks off on November 27th.

FREE AGENTS
Aaron Pascas, Pat Saunders, Jason Mainer, Chad Culp, Corey Fowler, Justin Gibson, Shane Scott, Bill McLean, Dan Ball, Jim Moss, Jordan Smith, Brett Shaw, Bryce Queener, Pat Campbell, Gee Nash, Matt Flindell, Steve Dietrich

DRAFTEES
Glen Bryan, Sean Robinson, Rob Hellyer, Kyle O’Brien, Mike MacNamara, Ryan Dilks, Sean Gillies, Zack Boychuk, Damon Edwards

The foremost boxla writer, Tutka is a former NLL scout and a longtime Inside Lacrosse contributor. Email him at paul.tutka@nllinsider.com.

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