The Vancouver Stealth announced today that they have signed forward Rhys Duch to a two-year contract pending league approval.
Duch enters his seventh season in the National Lacrosse League (NLL), all with the Stealth franchise. He appeared in 18 games with Vancouver during the 2015 season and led the team in scoring, recording a career high in points with 103.
“I am very excited to be remaining with the Stealth organization. I couldn’t imagine myself playing anywhere else,” said Duch.
Duch was the third overall selection by the Stealth in the 2008 NLL Entry Draft, and is the all-time franchise leader in goals, assists, and points. In 113 career regular season games, he has scored 265 goals and 358 assists for 623 points. In 11 career post season games, he has registered 30 goals and 35 assists for 65 points and won a Champions Cup with the Stealth in 2010. Duch’s accolades include setting the NLL rookie scoring record with 35 goals and 54 assists for 89 points and being named Rookie of the Year in 2009. In 2013, He led the league in goals with 45 and was a First Team All-Pro selection.
“The whole Stealth organization has been a class act from top to bottom. I have built so many lifelong relationships and look to create many more,” continued Duch.
Stealth President and General Manager Doug Locker drafted Duch in 2008 and knows what he means to the Stealth organization.
“Rhys is one of the top players in the National Lacrosse League and has played at that level since his rookie season. He can beat you in so many ways, and possesses tremendous lacrosse IQ. We are extremely proud that he has been with our organization his entire career and look forward to many more seasons with him as a member of the Vancouver Stealth.”
With the 2016 season set to begin in less than two months, Duch likes the makeup of this year’s squad and knows what he expects from himself and the team.
“A personal goal of mine is to play with more consistency game to game. As for the team, our first goal is to get in the playoffs, ultimately leading to a championship,” Duch finished.
The Stealth open the 2016 schedule at the Langley Events Centre on January 9 against the New England Black Wolves at 10 p.m. ET
