The Langley-based Vancouver Stealth announced on Monday that they have acquired left-handed forward Corey Small from the Edmonton Rush, in exchange for the team’s first round picks in 2016 and 2019, pending league approval.

The St. Catharines, Ont., native was a member of the Rush since being drafted ninth overall in first round of the 2009 NLL Entry Draft.

In 64 career regular season games, he’s scored an impressive 217 points (88 goals, 129 assists) and compiled 200 loose balls.

His best year was in 2013 when he put up 64 points (28 goals, 36 assists) in 16 games with Edmonton.

“Corey is a player we have had a strong interest in for some time so it’s really exciting to finally get him here,” Stealth president and general manager Doug Locker said. “We believe he’s a natural fit for our offense and provides us with another scoring threat that our opposition has to deal with.”

In the summer, Small is a member of the Victoria Shamrocks of the Western Lacrosse Association.

He finished the 2014 regular season with 76 points, tied for first with fellow teammate Rhys Duch, who he’ll be reunited with as a member of the Stealth.

The 27-year old has helped guide Victoria to back-to-back Mann Cup appearances in 2013 and 2014.

“Ever since Vancouver came into the league I’ve always thought it’d be a great place to play,” Small said. “I’ve got a great relationship with a lot of the guys and I can’t wait to be on the floor with them this weekend.”

“He’s an amazing player who will fit in and help the team right away,” Duch said. “He’s an all-around player with a lot of talent who will do anything to help the team win. A few of us have had the opportunity to build chemistry with him in Victoria over the past few years and can attest to his value in the locker room, as well.”

Small missed all of the 2014 NLL season when he suffered a torn ACL during the off-season.

He joins a Vancouver squad that has scored an NLL leading 42 goals this season.

“I feel great,” Small said. “My knee feels back to normal and I feel just as good as I did before the injury.”

Small played his college lacrosse at the University of Albany.

“Getting quality left-handers in this league is hard to do, so when the opportunity presented to acquire a player of his caliber we jumped at it,” Locker said.

Small make his Stealth debut when the team travels to Colorado to take on the Mammoth on Saturday night. Game time at 6 p.m. and is available online at www.UniversalSports.com.

The Stealth’s next home game is on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. when they wrap up the month with a visit from the Mammoth.

Tickets are available at www.StealthLAX.com

Langley Advance