A leaner and faster lineup is what new head coach Glenn Clark has in mind for the Toronto Rock.
Most of the players were retained despite the first-round elimination from the National Lacrosse League playoffs last spring, and they get into their first pre-season action in the Metro Centre in Halifax against the Philadelphia Wings on Saturday night.
In assessing what they had, Rock executives asked Clark to take over a veteran lineup that needed tweaking rather than demolition. Clark's plan hinges on improved overall fitness levels and speed up and down the floor.
``We've changed the whole coaching staff and with that comes a change in direction and philosophy,'' says Clark, the former Rock defenceman. ``With that, a commitment to fitness has been a real goal for us.
``We hope to become a more systematic team that pays attention to details.''
The Rock were NLL champions five of seven years before being bounced by the Rochester Knighthawks last April.
Jim Veltman, the 40-year-old captain, Colin Doyle, Blaine Manning and goaltender Bob Watson have been the club's backbone over the years, and they're all making the trip east.
Two players to watch as the Rock move towards their regular-season opener Jan. 13 at Rochester will be rookies Mike McLeod and Matt Carroll.
``We're looking for them to infuse some energy into the group,'' says Clark.
McLeod, from Owen Sound, Ont., is a defence-transition player _ ``a good all-around player'' _ out of the Orangeville, Ont., juniors, and Carroll is a solid defenceman who captained the junior Whitby Warriors last summer.
Wings defenceman Dan Finck is from Halifax and will be getting a rare opportunity to play a pro game in his home city.
It's not the first East Coast venture for the Rock. They played exhibitions against the now-defunct Montreal Express in Halifax and in St. John's, N.L., four years ago. Wings coach Lindsay Sanderson was assistant coach of the Express at the time, and he grew up on an Annapolis Valley farm near Harmony, N.S.
``I'm really excited about going back again,'' he said.
The world indoor championships will be staged in Halifax next year, and the Toronto-Philadelphia game is a good promotional tool for the global tournament.
``To spread this game around and let the Maritimes get a look at this calibre of lacrosse is great,'' Sanderson said.
He'll have five players on the floor in their first NLL game on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Toronto announced that former Rock defenceman Terry Bullen has been added to the coaching staff to direct the defence.
© The Canadian Press, 2007
