National Lacrosse League

K-Hawks, Mammoth Make Big Trade; Wings' Transactions

Rochester, NY -- The Rochester Knighthawks completed a blockbuster trade on Saturday with the Colorado Mammoth, acquiring forwards Gavin Prout, Andrew Potter, and two first-round selections in the 2010 Entry Draft. In exchange, Rochester sent the rights of Ilija Gajic and its first-round selection in the 2012 Entry Draft to Colorado.

"It is a very good deal for the Knighthawks," said Knighthawks Owner and CEO Curt Styres. "We got a couple of draft picks and shored up the right side with Prout. Andrew Potter won the (junior) scoring championship last year and should do very well."

Prout enters his ninth season in the NLL in 2010. In his career, he has 230 goals and 441 assists in 127 games. The Mammoth's all time leading scorer and team captain since 2005, Prout, 31, spent the past six seasons with Colorado. He was also a First Team All-Pro and the Championship Game MVP in 2006. Additionally, he was a Second Team All-Pro member four times in his career.

Prout was drafted first overall by the New York Saints in the 2001 National Lacrosse League entry draft. As a rookie, Prout was named to the All-Rookie team as a member of the Saints. Since joining the league, Prout has played in seven NLL All-Star Games (2002, & 2004 - 2009). In 2008, Prout led the National Lacrosse League in assists with 67, a career high. The eight-year pro also captured back-to-back MLL championships in 2008 and 2009 with Rochester and Toronto, respectively.

Potter appeared in just one game for the Mammoth in 2009 following his arrival in Colorado via a trade for (the then-retired) Gary Gait. The trade also gives the Knighthawks two first-round draft picks in 2010, while the Mammoth receive Rochester's first-round pick in 2012. Furthermore, Potter led the Ontario Lacrosse Association Junior "A" circuit with 125 points (51+74) in 22 games this summer.

Ilija Gajic, 24, was the second overall pick in this year's draft and now heads to the Mammoth. He played three seasons of college lacrosse at the University of Denver and is expected to be an immediate impact player in the National Lacrosse League.

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DENVER – The Colorado Mammoth today announced a trade that secures the rights to Ilija Gajic, the second-overall pick in this year's NLL Entry Draft as well as a first round draft pick in 2012. In exchange, the Mammoth send forwards Gavin Prout and Andrew Potter to the Rochester Knighthawks, along with two first round draft picks in 2010.

Gajic, the middle of three brothers set to don Mammoth jerseys in 2010, led the New Westminster Salmonbellies of the Western Lacrosse Association to a spot in the Mann Cup in 2008, registering 51 points in 14 regular-season games played. The 24-year-old Burnaby, British Columbia native played three seasons of college lacrosse at the University of Denver and is expected to be an immediate impact player in the National Lacrosse League.

"Ilija Gajic is a tremendous talent who will put points on the board for us for years to come," said Steve Govett, the Mammoth's president and general manager. "We were excited on draft day when we landed two of the top five prospects available with Alex Gajic and Cliff Smith," explained Govett. "Now with Ilija, we have three of the top five players available this year."

Ilija, Nenad and Alex all reside in Denver and will play a significant role in the Mammoth's community relations and fan development efforts. Ilija's first appearance in a Mammoth uniform comes this Saturday at the team's rookie camp.

"As an organization, the time had come to make some moves that will hopefully solidify our long-term, on-field success. In the current economic climate, and following a disappointing 2009 season, it's imperative that we change some of our operating decisions. Sometimes that means making tough choices. We have effectively retooled our entire offense."

The Mammoth's all time leading scorer and team captain since 2005, Gavin Prout spent the past six seasons with Colorado. The 31-year-old is set to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2010 season and Mammoth management had to make the hard decision of letting their leader go.

"Gavin Prout has been a cornerstone of this organization for the past six years," Govett continued. "He's been a key to our success on the field and was the captain of our 2006 championship team – what more can I say? We simply wish him the absolute best."

Andrew Potter appeared in just one game for the Mammoth in 2009 following his arrival in Colorado via a trade for (the then-retired) Gary Gait. The trade also gives the Knighthawks two first-round draft picks in 2010, while the Mammoth receive Rochester's first-round pick in 2012.

The Mammoth opens the 2010 regular season on the road against the Washington Stealth on January 9. The home-opener is one week later as Colorado hosts the Edmonton Rush at Pepsi Center on Saturday, January 16.

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The Philadelphia Wings have traded transition player Rob Van Beek to the Calgary Roughnecks in exchange for a second round selection in the 2010 NLL Entry Draft according to General Manager David Huntley. Van Beek was originally acquired in the first round of the 2004 NLL Entry Draft by the Wings.

"Rob has been an important member of the Wings the last several years and I wish him the very best with the Calgary team," said Huntley.

Van Beek scored 22 goals and had 49 assists in his five year career with the Wings, and is ninth on the team's All-Time loose balls list with 446.

"I love Philly," said Van Beek. "The memories and friends will last me forever. Thanks to my Wings teammates, coaches and staff; and to all the friends I have made. Every lacrosse player should experience playing for the Wings during their careers; I consider myself lucky. I will miss you all dearly and look forward to seeing you again but in different colors. Good luck in 2010."

The Wings open their 2010 home season on Saturday, January 16 vs. the Boston Blazers at the Wachovia Center.

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The Philadelphia Wings named former Wings stand-out John Tucker as the team's offensive coordinator and Paul Stewart, also a former player, as the new scouting coordinator and video coach, according to Wings General Manager David Huntley.

"John Tucker was one of the most exciting and talented players to ever wear a Wings jersey," said Wings President and Owner Russ Cline. "As the new offensive coordinator he brings the experience of being an All Pro and a leader with solid coaching credentials. John's off ball work as a player remains a league standard. His work ethic, character and commitment to excellence will impact us not only offensively but as an organization. His long professional and personal relationship with Dave will result in an immediate impact on the Wings. Needless to say the ownership is elated to welcome him back to a key role in the organization."

A renown coach and player, Tucker has served as head coach of the Los Angeles Riptide (2006-08, MLL), Washington Bayhawks (current, MLL), Baltimore Thunder (1997-99, NLL), Pittsburgh CrosseFire (2000, NLL), Various Maryland High School teams, and currently is an assistant coach at his alma mater Johns Hopkins University. He has received Major League Lacrosse's Coach of the Year Award (2007), coached in one NLL Championship Game (1998), and has captured eight Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association Championships.

On the field, Tucker had an extraordinary career at the collegiate and professional levels. As a midfielder for John Hopkins University he was part of the undefeated team, which won the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship in 1984. In international competition, he played for Team USA and won three gold medals at the World Lacrosse Championships (1986, 1990, 1994). Tucker also earned All-World Team honors in 1990 and 1994. As a professional, Tucker played forward for the Philadelphia Wings (1987-92) and accrued 78 goals, 96 assists, and 174 points. He led the team to two championships (1989-90).

"I am thrilled to have John [Tucker] join us this season as our offensive coordinator," said Huntley. "He was my captain when I coached the Wings in 1987 and his contributions to the Wings as a player were second to none. Paul [Stewart] worked with me as the scout for the Toronto Nationals this summer and was instrumental in developing the game plans that helped us to the MLL championship. His deep knowledge of the teams and players in our league is the most important factor in the Wings being a better prepared team in what will be a highly competitive NLL this winter."

Stewart is currently an assistant coach with the Toronto Nationals of MLL and the offensive coordinator for the 2010 Canadian Men's Field Lacrosse Team. In the NLL he was the Director of Scouting for the Minnesota Swarm in 2006 and an assistant coach for the New York Titans in 2007 and 2008. Stewart also led the Irish National Team as head coach at the World Indoor Championship in Halifax in 2007.

As a player Stewart was Captain of the Irish National Team at the 2002 ILF World Championships and Major Series Lacrosse in Ontario, splitting time between Brooklin and Six Nations. He is also a 15 year police officer in York Region of Canada just north of Toronto. Stewart is married to wife Troyhann who represented Canada at three Women's World Championships in her lacrosse career and has three sons; Mason (6), Treysen (3), and Trent (2).