After previous years of trying to swing a deal, the Calgary Roughnecks finally got their man.
The Roughnecks traded for left-handed defender Creighton Reid from the Buffalo Bandits in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2017 NLL Draft and a second-round selection in 2019, three minutes before Trade Deadline Day drew to a close in a three-way deal with the Colorado Mammoth and Bandits.
The defender was dealt earlier on in the day from the Mammoth to the Bandits, before finding a permanent home for the rest of the year with the Roughnecks.
The Roughnecks have shown serious interest in Reid in previous years, who adds some much needed depth to the defensive core, something that GM Mike Board was looking to check off his list to improve the team.
“He’s a big strong defender and a lefty which is what we needed on that side,” Board said. “He’ll add to our left-side and transition game, and he’ll help us in our transition to the playoffs.”
Reid will now work with a familiar face on the Roughnecks bench in assistant and defensive coach Rob Williams, who Reid has played for during the summer in Maple Ridge, B.C.
This will make the transition to a new team smoother for the 30-year-old, whose position is desired by other teams.
“It’s hard to find left-handed offensive guys and left-handed defensive guys in the league,” Board said.
“Once you get them, people tend to hang onto them.
“When you get one, you want to lock them up for awhile.”
Reid will have his first game in Roughnecks colours this Saturday night when they visit the Rochester Knighthawks at 5:30 p.m. MT, as they’ll look to gain some momentum late in the campaign.
With four games left in the regular season the push is on to bring lacrosse playoff action to Calgary for another year.
Coming off an 18-13 win over the New England Black Wolves on March.25, the Roughnecks were able to break a three game slump to improve their record to 5-9.
“It’s been an interesting year that with some of the flashes we’ve shown it’s one of the reasons why we have the faith that we’re going to get into the playoffs and hopefully do some damage,” Board said.
“We feel like we are headed in the right direction.”
A direction that Board sees Reid playing a big role in both this season and in the future.
The 6-foot-2 195 pounder brings a wealth of post-season experience to the roster, which includes an NLL league title in 2011 as a member of the Toronto Rock.
In addition to his playoff experience, Reid has recorded 22 goals and 73 points accompanied with 467 loose balls in 122 career games in eight seasons in the league.
“We’ll look to have him back next year and in the years beyond,” Board said.
“We’re happy to have him.”
