Three Canadians change NLL franchises as 2020 free agency begins

Kyle Buchanan (YouTube)

The National Lacrosse League began its free agency on Saturday, and since then, three Canadian players in the NLL have departed the San Diego Seals and signed with another franchise. Forward Kyle Buchanan of Nepean, Ontario is now with the Buffalo Bandits, defenseman Adrian Sorichetti of Whitby, Ontario signed with the Saskatchewan Rush, and defenseman Garrett McIntosh of Coquitlam, British Columbia is now with the Vancouver Warriors.

Buchanan is the most notable signing. Last season with the Seals, Buchanan had 12 goals and 27 assists for 39 points in 12 games last season. The Bandits become Buchanan’s fifth NLL franchise. He has previously played for the Washington Stealth, Philadelphia Wings, and New England Black Wolves. Sorichetti had five goals and six assists for 11 points last season in 18 games, while McIntosh had one assist in 11 games. Sorichetti has previously played for the Rush from 2014 to 2018, while McIntosh was with the Calgary Roughnecks from 2014 to 2018.

The signing of Buchanan could arguably be the second most notable story in the NLL offseason since the season was cancelled due to coronavirus on June 4. At the end of June, the NLL announced their annual awards and a Canadian won each of the five major awards.

Shayne Jackson of Bowmanville, Ontario was named the NLL Most Valuable Player. He had 73 points this past season (31 goals and 42 assists) and was third in NLL scoring. New England Black Wolves goaltender Doug Jamieson of Ohseweken, Ontario was the goaltender of the year. Last season he had a record of eight wins and three losses, with a goals against average of 8.77.

Graeme Hossack of Port Perry, Ontario was the defensive player of the year. Last season with the Halifax Thunderbirds, Hossack had nine goals and nine assists for 18 points. This was the second straight year Hossack was named the NLL Defensive Player of the Year as he won in 2018-19 with the Rochester Knighthawks.

Challen Rogers of Coquitlam, British Columbia was the NLL Transition Player of the Year. In 2019-20, he had 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points and collected 51 loose balls with the Toronto Rock. Meanwhile, New York Riptide forward Tyson Gibson of Maple, Ontario was the NLL Rookie of the Year. Last season with the Riptide, Gibson had 16 goals and 26 assists for 42 points.

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