Rock acquire defender Brad MacDonald in trade

Toronto sent its first-round pick in next year’s draft (2006) to Calgary for defenceman Brad MacDonald, a tenacious defender with two years of pro experience. MacDonald has experience with the Orangeville Jr. A Northmen and the WLA’s Coquitlam Adanacs, and he is one of the top young defenders in the game.

“It’s a great pick up for us,” said Rock head coach and GM Terry Sanderson. “He’s a young kid with some pro experience and we’re very happy to have him in the fold.”

Sanderson said there is a “tremendous upside” to MacDonald’s game.

“He’s a tough, mobile D guy who can transition the ball as well. And for a D guy he’s got some decent touch around the net.

MacDonald, 22, was selected in the second round of the 2003 NLL Entry Draft by Calgary (23rd overall). He was the captain of the Jr. A Northmen and played for them in two Minto Cup championships. The Barrie Lakeshores acquired his OLA Major Series Lacrosse rights after selecting him third overall in the 2005 OLA Major Draft.

“There’s a lot of good things you can say about him. He’ll be a great addition to this organization.”

In 21 career regular season games, MacDonald has 17 points (seven goals and 10 assists) along with 38 loose balls and 38 penalty minutes. He has four career playoff games under his belt and appeared in 15 regular season games last year with the Roughnecks.