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Off-season of change continues for Vancouver Stealth; Moleski latest vet to leave, and No. 2 draft pick could be dealt

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Kyle Belton, whose NLL career included a stop with the Toronto Rock, is coming to the Vancouver Stealth for the 2015 season. (NLL photo.)

Kyle Belton, whose NLL career included a stop with the Toronto Rock, is coming to the Vancouver Stealth for the 2015 season. (NLL photo.)

The remaking of the Vancouver Stealth continues.

Defender Jeff Moleski is the latest veteran to leave the National Lacrosse League club after their dreary 4-14 debut at the Langley Events Centre this past season. The 32-year-old left-hander from Prince George signed a one-year deal with the Calgary Roughnecks as an unrestricted free agent on Friday.

He had been with the Stealth for four seasons after spending his first six years in the NLL with Calgary. The Stealth picked up Moleski from Calgary for a 2011 first-round entry draft pick.

Moleski joins defender Mike Grimes (six years with Stealth, traded to Minnesota) and forward Brett Bucktooth (three years with Stealth, signed with Connecticut as a free agent) as core members of the Stealth who have moved elsewhere during the off-season.

There could be other notable changes. Team captain Kyle Sorensen, a defender, has had knee trouble playing summer lacrosse with Peterborough. And fellow veteran Matt Beers, another defender, is said to be looking at a fire department job. If that happens, he’ll have to take time off from the Stealth.

Jamie Lincoln, a forward picked up midway through the campaign as a free agent, was also moved on Friday, traded to Connecticut for Kyle Belton. Belton, listed as a forward, split last season between the Toronto Rock and Philadelphia Wings and had four assists points in 14 games. The Wings moved to Connecticut over the summer and are yet to claim a nickname.

Belton has played summer lacrosse with the Western Lacrosse Association’s Langley Thunder, another major tenant of the LEC. He had eight goals and 24 points in 18 regular season games with them in 2013.

This off-season, the Stealth have also added forward Dane Stevens and defender Tyler Hass via the Grimes’ trade. They’ve re-signed defender Tim Henderson, who missed all of last season with military duties, and and also inked free-agent defender Tyler Burton, among others.

Vancouver brought more than 40 players to training camp last season in a bid to come up with their 20-man active roster.

Next up is the entry draft on Sept. 22. Vancouver has the second pick, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Stealth deal it. General manager Doug Locker has admitted that he’s listening to offers.

The Edmonton Rush, who have the first selection, are expected to take Ben McIntosh, who put up big-time goal totals this summer with the WLA’s Maple Ridge Burrards. That leaves Jeremy Noble, another righty forward type, available.

He fills many needs for Vancouver. He could quarterback their offence. He’s a leader. He’s won before, both with the Orangeville Jr. powerhouse and the University of Denver.

As good a fit as he is with Vancouver, he might be an even better fit with other teams. Considering his school ties, he’d be a fan favourite with the Colorado Mammoth. He’d also be instantly marketable for the Minnesota Swarm, since his twin brother Jason already plays there.

Vancouver brass were openly critical last season of the team’s left-handed scorers. It wouldn’t be surprising to see them move the No. 2 selection if they could get a bonafide go-to lefty, as well as a another pick in the first or second rounds.



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