AJ Haugen Traded to New Jersey

[James Foote]

From New Jersey Press Release

CLIFTON – The New Jersey Pride, the Garden State’s only professional lacrosse team, announced today the acquisition of All-Star midfielder A.J. Haugen from the Denver Outlaws. In exchange for Haugen, the Pride send their first round pick in the upcoming 2006 Collegiate Draft (fifth overall) to the Outlaws.

“A.J. has been one of the most consistent midfielders in Major League Lacrosse over the first five seasons of the league,’’ said Pride General Manager Trey Reeder. “One of the things about him is that he is equally as valuable on the defensive side of the ball as he is on offense. We think his addition will give the Pride one of the deepest midfields in Major League Lacrosse.’’

Haugen has 106 goals and 44 assists for his career, all coming with Long Island. In 2005, he scored 17 goals and assisted on six others in 10 starts.

“A.J. is a guy who you have to account for on the field and know where he is at all times, and if you don’t he’s going to burn you,’’ said Pride head coach Peter Jacobs. “When you put him out there with the rest of the middies we can run out at any given time, it’s another tremendous option to have.’’

CLICK HERE for the complete press release.

From Denver Press Release

DENVER – The Denver Outlaws acquired the fifth overall pick in May’s Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft from the New Jersey Pride. In exchange for the pick, the Outlaws sent midfielder A.J. Haugen to the Pride. The trade gives the Outlaws two of the first five picks in the Collegiate Draft as Denver also holds the second overall pick.

“We are now in the position to get two of the top five players coming out of college this year,” said Outlaws General Manager Brian Reese. “History has shown that teams with two high draft picks in the same year have been successful. While losing an established player like A.J. is always hard, getting a young, talented player out of college with his best years ahead of him is an asset to our franchise.”

Haugen was originally acquired by the Outlaws with the second pick (6th overall – Long Island Lizards) in the 2005 Expansion Draft.