Team Canada bolsters roster

Defencemen Ryan Cousins and Jeff Moleski and forward Rhys Duch have been named to Canada’s team for the world indoor lacrosse tournament in Prague, May 21-28.

They join forwards John Grant Jr., Colin Doyle, Dan Dawson and Josh Sanderson, transition players Brodie Merrill and Jordan Hall and goaltenderAnthony Cosmo on the roster.

Canada won the first two world indoor championships and aims for a third, and a strong defence corps will be vital.

Cousins, 29, is a two-time pick as best defenceman in the National Lacrosse League. The six-foot-one captain of the Minnesota Swarm is always assigned to stop top opposition forwards. Outside lacrosse, Cousins is a firefighter in Markham, Ont., and job commitments will limit his role with the Swarm until March. He expects to be at the top of his game come May.

“Ryan Cousins is an exceptional defender who plays with an edge,’’ says head coach Ed Comeau. “He was a key part of our Team Canada defence during the 2007 world championship.’’

Moleski, 28, was an integral part of Calgary’s defence when the Roughnecks won the 2009 NLL championship and now plays for the Washington Stealth. The six-foot-one resident of Prince George, B.C., where he works weekdays as a mechanic for a gas distribution company, has earned a reputation as one of the best defenders in the pro league today.

“Jeff Moleski is one of those defenders who quietly goes about his business,’’ says Comeau. “He is strong and uses his size well.’’

Duch, 24, who also plays for the Stealth, finished seventh in league scoring with 33 goals and 53 assists in only his third pro season last winter. He was NLL rookie of the year in 2009. The native of Victoria plays summer ball with the Shamrocks in his home city. The five-foot-11 attacker was a valuable component in Canada’s attack during the 2010 world field lacrosse championships in Manchester, England.

“Rhys Duch is one of lacrosse’s top scoring right-handers,’’ says Comeau. “He is effective both inside driving to the net and with his outside shot.’’

- by Canadian Press