SEALS SIGN CORE DEFENSEMEN

The San Diego Seals announced today that the team has re-signed a group of core defensemen in Drew Belgrave, Eli Gobrecht, Mike McCannell and Matt Sykes.

“We’re keeping the band together,” said General Manager and Head Coach Patrick Merrill. “This is a young, core group of our defense and it was important for us to bring these guys back. They understand our system, they’re gritty and hungry to win. We know what they’ll bring to the table, and we can’t wait to have them back on the floor this season in San Diego.”

A member of the team since the inaugural season, Belgrave signed a three-year contract. Appearing in 45 regular season games with the Seals, he’s notched nine points, 110 loose balls and 39 caused turnovers. Belgrave was originally drafted by the Toronto Rock in the second round of the 2017 NLL Entry Draft.

Gobrecht signed a one-year contract extension with the team after a breakout sophomore season. The only defenseman to appear in every regular season game last year, the righty recorded 94 loose balls, 20 caused turnovers and contributed at the face-off X.

McCannell was the Seals’ first selection in the 2021 NLL Entry Draft, taken fifth overall. The transition player from Stony Brook University appeared in two postseason games with the Seals after finishing his senior season with the Seawolves. McCannell’s deal is for two years.

Sykes also signed for two more years.The defenseman has registered six points and 99 loose balls in 28 career regular season games.

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