The Vancouver Stealth have added the league’s reigning rookie of the year.
The Stealth acquired Logan Schuss with their prized off-season pick-up Johnny Powless heading to the Minnesota Swarm.
The trade was announced on Tuesday (Mar. 31) just hours before the National Lacrosse League trade deadline.
Schuss was the top overall pick in the 2013 NLL draft by the Swarm, and he did not disappoint, scoring 36 goals and 73 points last season to win the 2014 rookie of the year. He also had 77 loose balls. In nine games this season, the Ladner native had 14 goals and 33 points, plus 44 loose balls.
In a game at the Langley Events Centre on Feb. 28, Schuss lit up the Stealth for three goals and eight points in his team’s 21-15 loss.
“We are ecstatic to bring Logan home to Vancouver,” said Stealth president and general manager Doug Locker.
“The opportunity to add a player of his calibre brings an additional goal scorer to a lineup that we already like.
“And the fact we can bring a prominent B.C. player home to represent his local team makes it all the more special.”
Schuss said he was excited to be joining the Stealth and beginning a new lacrosse journey in his home province.
Powless, who was picked up in a trade prior to the 2014 draft from the Rochester Knighthawks, had seven goals and 39 points in 11 games this season.
“The decision to trade Johnny after such a short time in Vancouver was a difficult one,” Locker said.
“We have immense respect for him both as a player and a person, but the reality was the travel demands were becoming increasingly difficult for him.”
Schuss is expected in the line-up this weekend as the Stealth look to snap a three-game losing streak.
The team is in Edmonton to face the Rush on Friday before the teams complete the home-and-home series on Saturday night at the Langley Events Centre.
