NLL
February 8, 2006
The Toronto Rock and expansion Edmonton Rush completed a trade today, with Toronto sending forward Mat Giles to the Rush in exchange for Edmonton's second-round pick in the 2006 NLL Entry Draft. Giles, a seven-year veteran, has one goal and one assist (two points) in four games with Toronto this season along with nine penalty minutes and 13 loose balls. In 2005, Giles played with the Rochester Knighthawks finishing seventh in scoring with 23 points (10 goals and 13 assists).
In Edmonton, Giles will rejoin former coach Paul Day and an offensive system he is familiar with having played for Coach Day in Rochester in 2004 and 2005.
In 89 career regular season and playoff games, Giles has amassed 100 goals and 82 assists (182 points) and has won 47% of the 88 faceoffs he has taken. The 30-year-old is expected to play this weekend against the Rock when Edmonton hosts Toronto on Saturday.
"Mat brings offensive and power play experience and size to the lineup.” states Rush GM/Head Coach Paul Day. “He will be a positive influence on our younger players and is familiar with several players and coaching staff already. He's a very good team guy."
“It’s always tough to move guys, especially when it’s such a classy guy like Mat,” said Rock head coach and general manager Terry Sanderson. “But we’re in a situation where we’re sitting too many guys out who are doing the same thing… and there was some interest from Edmonton.”
“We wish Mat all the best of luck except for Saturday night. We feel it will be a mutually beneficial deal.”
Giles, a 6’4”, 235 lb right-hander was a member of the Rock’s first championship winning team in 1999.
In related news the Rock have signed forward Matt Taylor to the active roster from the Practice Player List and the Edmonton Rush have placed forward Kyle McEwen on the Injured Reserve List. Taylor is a 22 year-old left-handed forward standing at 5’11” and weighting 200 lbs. McEwen broke his foot during training and has not played a game yet this season.
