October 26, 2009
Reffue now GM; Ryan remains Blazers' coach
by George Martins/
In just six words, Tom Ryan succinctly described one significant change in his job description.
As press time approached for the November edition of the New England Lacrosse Journal, the Blazers’ coach was asked if first-round draft pick Max Seibald had agreed to sign and play for Boston this season.
“That falls under Doug’s realm now,’’ Ryan wrote in an e-mail.
Ryan, who served as coach and general manager of the Blazers in their inaugural campaign last season, has – gladly, he suggests – dropped the GM duties for the 2010 season. Team president Doug Reffue is the team’s new general manager.
Prior to commenting, albeit briefly, on negotiations with Seibald, Ryan expounded on his redefined role.
“Since stepping down as GM I have been able to focus more on the team and what we can do to build on last year’s success,’’ wrote Ryan, whose Blazers went 10-6 and finished tied for first in NLL’s Eastern Division before losing to Buffalo in the playoffs.
“We have been analyzing our power-play and man-short units from last year ... what worked what we need to improve on. We have a pretty extensive video analysis underway that evaluates our players on stats that are not normally tracked. Our goal is to be able to assess an individual’s performance based on more than just goals, assists and loose balls. We are removing bias and [evaluating] a player’s performance in a more accurate and quantitative manner. This information will help guide us in tough decisions moving forward.
“At times last year I got caught up in the day to day of running the team. I am really looking forward to devoting more of my time this year to preparing myself for games and practices.
As for the prospects of 2009 Tewaaraton Trophy winner Seibald suiting up for the Blazers in 2010, Reffue is hopeful.
“Max is not signed yet but we’re working with him and I have no doubt that he will be a Boston Blazer,’’ the GM said. “But with any first-round pick like that there is some work you have to do. He’s one of the biggest names in the game.’’
Known for his leadership qualities, tenacity, grit, speed, strength, and skill, Seibald scored 141 points during his college career, the most by a Cornell midfielder. He reportedly has run a 4.38 40-yard dash and has had shots recorded at 106 miles per hour.
“If you have a two-way middie who plays a hard, physical style, that’s what we’re looking for in indoor players,’’ said Ryan. “The way he plays field would lead us to believe he’d a be an good indoor player if he wants to be.’’
Reffue, who was working on contracts for players on last year’s roster as well as the 2009 draft picks at press time, said the Blazers had agreed to terms on a three-year deal with Mitch Belisle and a one-year pact with Daryl Veltman.
