Saturday, June 1, 2013

Chiefs acquire Jesse Gamble from Kodiaks for Mat MacLeod and Corey Fowler


The Six Nations Chiefs have given their transition game a shot of adrenaline, acquiring Jesse Gamble from the Kitchener-Waterloo Kodiaks in exchange for Mat MacLeod, Corey Fowler and other considerations. Gamble is one of the best transition players in lacrosse. He finished second in IL Indoor's voting for National Lacrosse League Transition Player of the Year and in 2011 was named Major Series Lacrosse's top defender. The lefty played primarily offence for most of that season and scored 45 points, but switched to defence when John Lovell took over as head coach and shone in the role immediately. Lovell is also the 25-year-old Gamble's coach with the Toronto Rock, where he had a breakout season in 2013, showing outstanding defensive improvement and continuing to impact games with his blazing speed.


The Kodiaks are getting some talent in return. MacCleod is a skilled righty who can contribute anywhere on the floor. He plays primarily a transition role but is capable enough to play regularly in the offensive zone as well, as he has proved with his growing role with the Colorado Mammoth. MacLeod and Gamble were teammates from 2006-09 with the Orangeville Northmen, where they won a pair of Minto Cups. MacLeod racked up 185 points in four seasons with the Northmen and has totalled 43 points the last two seasons in Colorado.

The 22-year-old Fowler was the leading scorer in CLax this year and was named the top rookie and most outstanding player in the league. He tallied 32 goals and 48 assists for 80 points, a new CLax record, in 14 games. Fowler is a small but waterbug-quick righty who scored 4 goals for Six Nations in their tight loss to the Brooklin Redmen earlier this week. He is currently also playing for his hometown St. Catharines Saints Sr B team.