CALGARY, AB — Last season brought a lot of change for the Roughnecks right side as the Calgary Roughnecks traded for a bruising, power forward and drafted a young phenom.
The only returning member was the man they call Superman, Curtis Dickson.
In 2017, the Riggers will happily welcome back all three members of the 2016 unit that combined to put up 120 goals and 233 points.
Key Losses: N/A
Key Additions: N/A
Superman lived up to his namesake in 2016 as he set a new career-high and franchise record with 61 goals. Dickson’s 107 points led the Roughnecks forwards and he was a major factor in the team’s run to the playoffs and the West Final.
Dickson did not play in the summer as he was healing from a lower body injury. It is the first time in many years that he has taken the summer off from lacrosse and admittedly, he feels the healthiest he has been in a long time.
That could be quite the boon for Calgary.
Joining Dickson on the right side is fourth year man Tyler Digby. After coming over to the Roughnecks in a trade from the New England Black Wolves via the Vancouver Stealth, Digby slid right into the starting line-up and netted 32 goals.
The 6-foot-3 behemoth did a lot of his damage not through his scoring touch, but with his ability to set strong picks to open up either Wesley Berg or Dickson in the two-man game.
In the summer, Digby spent some time playing in the Western Lacrosse League with the Burnaby Lakers. While he only suited up for seven games, the big man was a force for the Lakers as he recorded 18 points (7 goals, 11 assists) during that span.
The third and final member of the right side of the Riggers offence is second-year man Wesley Berg.
As a rookie, Berg was impressive right out of the gate and continued to improve as each week passed. He finished his first season with 27 goals and 40 assists, while finishing third on the team with 88 loose balls.
His aggressive style of play and top notch athleticism make him a difficult player to stop on the floor. He plays a fantastic in-and-out game as he can beat defenders and get to the net or use his cannon of a shot from long-range.
Berg had a fantastic summer season, leading the Major Series Lacrosse league in goals with 27. With 18 assists, Berg finished the season ranked 9th in overall points and helped the Oakville Rock reach the playoffs where he scored 15 points (7g, 8a) in five games.
A healthy and rejuvenated group bodes well for success on the right-side in 2017.
The continuity gained from a year together and the presence of all three at training camp in 2017 (Dickson missed all of training camp in 2016 due to a hold-out) hints at better chemistry and results early in the new year.
Calgary will once again be looking for the right-side to act as the main catalyst for offence, even with an improved left-side. Together, the Roughnecks offence is in fine form for the 2017 season.
