NLL News and Notes for 2/4/05

[Sonny]

NLL News and Notes

02/04/05 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)

The Colorado Mammoth announced this week that goaltender Erik Miller has retired after six seasons in the league. Miller has played with the franchise since 1999 and stayed with the club through his career. The six-year veteran recorded 1,079 career saves in both regular season and postseason play. “Miller has worked his tail off,” said Mammoth Head Coach Jamie Batley. “He has had some great games in his career. He will be a big loss.” In relation to Miller’s retirement, the Mammoth acquired goaltender John McLellan from the Minnesota Swarm to fill the void left by Miller’s departure. In exchange for McLellan, the Swarm receive Colorado’s second round selection in the 2005 Entry Draft.

In addition to trading McLellan to Colorado, the Swarm also signed free agent defenseman Andrew Martin. Martin played in twelve games for the Philadelphia Wings last season and totaled 68 loose balls, one goal, and four assists.

In other transactions, the Arizona Sting acquired forward Jonas Derks from the Buffalo Bandits in exchange for a second round draft selection in the 2005 Entry Draft and a second round selection in the 2007 Entry Draft. Derks has totaled three goals and five assists for eight points in three games played for Buffalo this season.

In addition to Derks, the Arizona Sting also signed free agent forward Tony Henderson earlier this week. Derks and Henderson are slated to fill the void left by injured forward Kasey Beirnes. Beirnes was placed on the Injured Reserve earlier this week and will undergo surgery Friday on his left ankle. “Beirnes rolled his ankle verse Philadelphia,” said Sting Head Coach and General Manager. “It is like the Curt Schilling injury. We have good doctors down here though and he’s young enough he’ll be able to bounce back.” With Beirnes out, Hamley decided to pick up Henderson and Derks. “We needed a left side then Derks and Henderson became available. We decided to give them a shot.”

Buffalo was also active in acquiring players this week, as the club signed forward Jon Harasym to a one-year contract. "Jon is a very talented offensive player," stated Silcott. "He moves very well and plays good hard physical lacrosse. I expect him to fit in with this team right away. He was one of the top players selected in the 2002 draft, but has not been in ideal situations to utilize his talents throughout his career. I think you’ll see him elevate his level of play as he becomes more comfortable with our team. We are confident that he will start to produce like a top draft pick before too long.” Harasym has appeared in 30 career-games, recording 20 goals and 22 assists for 42 points, while recording 59 penalty minutes. He joins Delby Powless (1st Overall, 2004), AJ Shannon (6th Overall, 2003), Billy Dee Smith (3rd Overall, 2002) and Bryan Kazarian (7th Overall, 2001) as the only players on the Bandits roster to be selected in the first-round of the NLL Entry Draft.

The Bandits also placed defenseman Chris White on the Injured Reserve list. White fractured a bone in his hand during Buffalo’s, 20-16, victory over Philadelphia on Saturday, January 29, 2005.