FREE AGENT PAT MADDALENA SIGNS WITH THE ROCK

After being granted unrestricted free agency following Orlando’s disbandment, Pat Maddalena has inked a one-year agreement with Toronto pending league approval.

Maddalena played 4 years with the Titans franchise scoring 119 goals and 308 points in 62 regular season games.  He was also a key part of Orlando’s run to the East Division title in 2009.

The three-time 40 goal scorer still feels he can be a valuable part of  a National Lacrosse League team that is gunning for a championship.

“I hope my energy on offense can help contribute to more goals this season for the entire offence,” said the 32-year old from Niagara Falls, Ontario.  “I am a different player than I was 5 years ago in many ways.  My commitment to the game away from playing has increased.  Watching film, working out and playing with my stick more often are important parts of competing at the highest level.”

An injury through the early stages of training camp last season with the Titans kept Maddalena from being as prepared as he would have liked to have been at the start of last season.

“I am confident that with hard work and a committed training camp, I can help the offence produce even more goals,” explains Maddalena.  “The only statement that I truly care about making is winning the Champion’s Cup.”

A chance to play with some of the left handed shooters that are already in Toronto’s line-up presented a dynamic opportunity that Maddalena is genuinely excited about.

“Colin Doyle and Stephen Leblanc are the type of big left handed players that I have never really had the chance to play with in my 11 seasons,” says Maddalena.  “I truly feel we create different threats on the floor.” 

One thing is for sure about Maddalena, when the chips are down and it’s crunch time he delivers.  In just 12 playoff appearances he has put up some very impressive numbers tallying 18 goals and 34 assists for 52 career post-season points.  Included in those totals are a 3 goal and 3 assist performance in the 2010 East Division final, a game in which the Rock defeated Maddalena’s Titans 15-10.

Toronto Rock rookie and free agent camp begins November 17^th in Six Nations, Ontario at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena.  Toronto’s main camp begins on November 27^th where Maddalena and others will try and carve out a role with the Rock.