3 More Rock are All-Stars

Toronto – The National Lacrosse League has announced the All-Star reserves for the East and West Divisions for the 2011 All-Star Game, presented by the Oneida Indian Nation. The game takes place at the Turning Stone Arena at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York on Sunday, February 27 at 2:00pm ET.

The starting lineups were announced Monday and Rock captain Colin Doyle was named a starter for the East All-Stars and will make his record ninth All-Star Game appearance.

Rock goaltender Bob Watson will be one half of the East netminding tandem after Philadelphia’s Brandon Miller was named as the starter earlier in the week.  Watson, who will make his fourth All-Star appearance, is off to a great start this season and has been named the Overall Player of the Week and Defensive Player of the Week one time each over the first month of the season and also collected the January Player of the Month Award.

2010 NLL Defender of the Year Sandy Chapman will make his first All-Star Game appearance this year.  Chapman carries a major leadership role with the Rock in addition to his heavy workload on the defensive side of the ball.

Rookie phenom turned sensational sophomore Garrett Billings will also make his first All-Star Game appearance.

Billings had a phenomenal rookie season and was one point better than teammate Stephan Leblanc to lead the NLL Rookie scoring race in 2010 with 83 points.

“When I heard there was going to be an All-Star game this year, I was really hoping I might have the opportunity to play in the game and help showcase the game to some new fans,” said Billings.  “I also think I’ll learn a few things with the exceptional group of talent that will be assembled together on one floor.”

With four players and their head coach heading to the showcase of NLL stars, the Rock will have strong representation at the All-Star Game.

“The number of Rock players selected and our head coach being named an All-Star as well is certainly a reflection of how solid the Rock organization has become,” Billings explained.  “It’s also a compliment to management and the job they are doing.”

Last week the league announced that the East will be coached by Toronto Rock head coach Troy Cordingley, and the West by Washington Stealth head coach Chris Hall.  Ed Comeau and Derek Keenan will serve as assistant coaches for the East and West, respectively. 

Tickets for the All-Star Game are priced at $20 and $30 for adults and $10 for youth 12 and under. They are available at the Turning Stone Box office or by calling 315-361-SHOW or toll-free at 1-877-833-SHOW. The Box Office is open daily from 10am to 8pm.  Tickets may also be purchased at any Ticketmaster location or online at ticketmaster.com. Group ticket packages are also available.

The 2011 NLL All-Star game presented by the Oneida Indian Nation will be televised in the United States live nationally on VERSUS. Details relating to the Canadian telecast of the game will be announced in the near future.