Toronto Rock 2017-18 Season Preview

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Forwards

Rob Hellyer (R), Brett Hickey (R), Adam Jones (L), Stephan Leblanc (L), Dan Lintner (R), Kieran McArdle (L), Reid Reinholdt (L), Tom Schreiber (R)

As opposed to last season where the Rock had several questions out the front door last season, there are no concerns going into the 2017-18 campaign.

The biggest addition to the offence didn’t come from free agency or the draft but rather a returnee to the lineup. Rob Hellyer will return to full-time duty after sitting out the entire 2017 season with a torn ACL.

During the 2016 season, Hellyer finished with 113 points in 18 games. He was fourth in league scoring and tops amongst the Rock.

Hellyer will carry a bulk of the offensive load for the Rock as he possesses a great lacrosse IQ along with a great shot. Although his injury could hinder his agility, Hellyer still remains one of the most elusive forwards in the game.

He will pair up on the left side of the floor with the Rock’s point leader from last season: Tom Schreiber.

The American forward burst onto the scene last season by taking over the offence in the absence of Hellyer. He ran with the baton and had 94 points on the season, which was good enough to win him NLL Rookie of the Year honours.

This summer, Schreiber captured his first Steinfeld Cup with the Ohio Machine. Additionally, he won his second consecutive MLL MVP award. His prowess in both the box and field game, he is considered by many to be the best lacrosse player in the world currently.

Brett Hickey and Dan Lintner round out the right-handed portion of the Rock attack.

Hickey went through an injury-riddled season in 2016, Hickey finished with 77 points, with 45 of those being goals. Scoring isn’t something that Hickey is a stranger to. The Windsor, Ont. native is one of the best catch and shoot players in the NLL. He has also shown an ability to drive the crease and create goals.

Lintner will have big shoes to fill as the Rock lost veteran Kasey Beirnes to retirement in the offseason. Last season, he had 22 points in 12 games while splitting time on the floor with Turner Evans, Kieran McArdle and Mike MacDonald.

This season should prove to be the best in the 25-year-olds early career. Lintner had a spectacular summer with the Brooklin Redmen and will be looking to prove he can be a regular contributor in the Rock lineup.

Onto the lefty side of the ball which the Rock have bolstered with one move acquiring Adam Jones was from the Saskatchewan Rush in exchange for a few draft picks.

Jones finished the 2017 campaign with 57 points in 16 games. Although it was the lowest total of his career, it was also his first (and only) season with the Rush, who have an extremely deep attack.

Previously, Jones spent the first five years of his career with the Colorado Mammoth. He set a league record in 2016 by scoring a goal in 56 consecutive games.

He will alleviate some of the pressure that Stephan Leblanc had to face last season. As the main threat on the right side of the floor, Leblanc was focused on by the top defenders on each team. He still managed to put up 73 points on the season.

Leblanc is used to playing alongside talented lefties so the addition of Jones shouldn’t hinder his production one bit.

Kieran McArdle and Reid Reinholdt are the other two left-handed forwards on the Rock. Both men finished with 36 points last year.

McArdle made the jump to box lacrosse with Schreiber and, while he didn’t have the impact that his fellow statesman did, he still impressed when he was on the floor.

Reinholdt was the hidden weapon for the Rock after he got his chance after spending time on the Rock’s practice roster. His most memorable performance was without a doubt his game-tying and game-winning goals against Georgia.

In terms of forward core’s, it’s not what Rock fans will be used to seeing. But this could be one of the most dangerous Rock attacks that the team has ever had. Add in the fact that Turner Evans will miss half the season and it could only get better for the Rock down the stretch.