Victoria Shamrocks general manager Chris Welch continues to make moves not only for the present but also for the future.
Welch has acquired the Western Lacrosse Association playing rights to Rory Smith and a second-round pick in the 2014 draft from New Westminster. In exchange, the Salmonbellies receive the playing rights to Chet Koneczny and a conditional first-round pick in 2016.
鈥淭his deal is made with the future in mind,鈥� Welch said in a statement. 鈥淲e believe Rory is interested in returning to the WLA next year, so we made sure that if he does, he鈥檒l be in green and white. We鈥檙e very familiar with how difficult it is to play against him, so we鈥檙e hoping we can get him on our side.鈥�
Smith, who is committed to the Six Nations Chiefs in Ontario for the 2013 season, is known as one of the toughest fighters in the game.
Welch said if Smith plays in the WLA in either 2014 or 2015, the Salmonbellies will receive the first-round draft pick. If he doesn鈥檛, the Shamrocks retain the pick and the players鈥� rights revert back to New West in 2016.
鈥淗e鈥檚 earned that reputation, and there鈥檚 no question he鈥檚 very tough and very intimidating,鈥� Welch said of the 26-year-old. 鈥淏ut there鈥檚 a lot more to his game than just fighting. He鈥檚 a very solid, athletic defender who can cover the best offensive guys, and he brings a tremendous presence on the floor and in the lineup that demands people pay attention.鈥�
In three seasons with the Salmonbellies (2009-11, which included Mann Cup appearances in 2009 and 2010), Smith played In 75 regular season and playoff games, scoring one goal and recording five assists, while racking up 396 penalty minutes.
The Shamrocks are expected to announce a few more moves, including the addition of defender Tyler Burton of the Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League. Welch may be looking to add defender Scott Carnegie from the Calgary Roughnecks or possibly Dylan Evans, also of Rochester.
