Brett Bucktooth has left the Stealth, signing with the transplanted Philadelphia franchise that’s ended up in Connecticut. (Stealth Lacrosse Photo.)
Bye bye Brett Bucktooth.
According to a press release from the Connecticut Sun women’s basketball team offices, Bucktooth has left the Vancouver Stealth after three seasons to sign as an unrestricted free agent with the National Lacrosse League’s new franchise based out of the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
Try to keep up there.
The Philadelphia Wings relocated to the Mohegan Sun rink this off-season. They’re yet to pick a nickname. The Connecticut Sun are an WNBA team that plays of out the same arena. The Mohegan Sun casino owns both teams.
Bucktooth, 31, a right-hander, produced 18 goals and 43 points last season for the Stealth, despite missing seven games with injury.
He was fifth in team scoring.
In the press release, incoming Connecticut coach Blane Harrison was quoted as saying: “We’re excited to have Brett Bucktooth in the line-up. He’s going to be a real positive addition to our right side. He’s got size and he can work well with Kevin Crowley. We like the fact that he’s a natural leader and will help in the locker room. Overall, we’re really happy to have the opportunity to go after him and bring him to our organization. With our move to the New England area, we are looking to make an impact and Brett is a big piece to that puzzle.”
Bucktooth was one of the players assigned to quarterback the Vancouver offence. Vancouver, coming off that dreadful 4-14 season, has a chance to nab that type of guy with the No. 2 pick in the Sept. 22 entry draft, with right-hander Jeremy Noble, the former Orangeville Jr. star who just wrapped up his senior season at the University of Denver.
The Stealth were said to be high on right-hander Ben McIntosh, too, who’s more of a crease man, but the Edmonton Rush traded up with the Minnesota Swarm to get the No. 1 pick and are said to covet McIntosh, with the idea of reuniting him with his former Coquitlam Jr. teammate Robert Church.
McIntosh, who plays summers with the Western Lacrosse Association’s Maple Ridge Burrards and finished up his college career at Drexel University this season, sparkled in the WLA playoffs, scoring 27 goals in 11 games before the Burrards were eliminated in the final by the Victoria Shamrocks.
The Stealth are said to be getting considerable trade offers for the No. 2 pick. The Colorado Mammoth, who have the No. 4 selection, are reportedly keen on moving up to get Noble, due to his university ties.
