Mar 18th, 2010

Stealth Activate Sorensen, Two Players Added to Practice Squad

The National Lacrosse League Roster Deadline was today, giving teams a last opportunity to make free agent additions and adjustments to their roster for the final games of the regular season and playoffs.  The Washington Stealth made several moves, including the activation of Assistant Captain Kyle Sorensen from the injured reserve to the 23-man active roster.

Sorensen missed the last five games with a lower body injury.  During that span, the Stealth lost their first three games of the season. Last year, Sorensen equaled his career high with 12 points and set a career high with 97 loose balls in 16 regular season games.  In five games this season, he has a goal, three assists and 26 loose balls in January.  The Stealth Assistant Captain is also the anchor of the penalty kill unit which is tops in the NLL, allowing just 15 goals on 50 chances (.700).

“We’ve missed his leadership, passion and fire for the game,” said Stealth Head Coach Chris Hall on the return of Sorensen.  “And while everyone in the Stealth organization has missed having him on the floor, no one missed it more than Kyle.”

With Sorensen returning to the active roster, the Stealth was forced to make space for him by removing Wade DeWolff from the 23-man list.    DeWolff played in four games this season, recording 14 penalty minutes and nine loose balls.

Also making moves within the Stealth roster was practice player Rhys Jones, who has been placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list due to a leg injury sustained while playing with his summer club, the Victoria Shamrocks.

The move of Jones to the physically unable to perform list leaves two spots open on the Stealth practice roster.  Those have been filled by Shayne Bennett and Sam Cook, both of whom have previous experience in the NLL.

Bennett played last season for the Edmonton Rush, appearing in 12 games.  The Port Coquitlam, B.C., native finished the season with four assists and 52 loose balls.  The defenseman also spent some time taking face-offs for the Rush, winning 71 draws during the season.

Cook played his only NLL season back in 2002 with the Ottawa Rebels.  During that season, he appeared in nine games with three assists and 17 loose balls.  Since then, the 28-year old defenseman has enjoyed a successful career in the Western Lacrosse Association (British Columbia), earning second-team All-Star honors last summer.  In three seasons with the Maple Ridge Burrads, Cook has appeared in 51 games and recorded 24 points on nine goals and 15 assists.

The Stealth have a bye week this week and return to action with the a home-and-home weekend with the Colorado Mammoth on March 26 and 27.  After visiting the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo., on Friday, the teams play the following night on “Pink in the Rink Night” at the Comcast Arena.  Tickets start at just $13 and are available by calling 877-MY-75-TIX or at www.stealthlax.com.