THE CANADIAN PRESS
CALGARY — Calgary Roughnecks defender Craig Gelsvik announced his retirement Tuesday after seven seasons in the National Lacrosse League.
The Roughnecks said Gelsvik’s regular job will prevent him from playing this season.
"He was basically told by his boss (a Vancouver builder) he had to choose between lacrosse and his work," Roughnecks GM Kurt Silcott said in a release.
"Unfortunately, as a married man with children, he had no option but to pick his day job."
Gelsvik, 33, was obtained in 2003 from Buffalo in exchange for Kyle Laverty and a second-round draft pick. The Coquitlam, B.C., resident played a key back end role when the Roughnecks captured the Champion’s Cup in 2004.
"It’s frustrating to lose a player of Craig’s calibre," said Silcott. "But I guess it’s all part of being a part-time league. Sometimes real-life situations get in the way and those left have to collectively do what they can to fill the gap."
Gelsvik, a six-foot-three, 230-pounder, played in 104 career NLL games for Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa and Buffalo. He registered 32 points (one goal, 31 assists), 428 loose balls and 222 penalty minutes.
The Roughnecks also announced that injury-plagued transition player Jesse Phillips of Langley, B.C., will not return next season.
The team said Phillips felt he would be unable to attain the high standard of fitness that would allow him to make a decent contribution to the team.
In 78 NLL appearances, the six-foot-one, 210-pounder scored 110 points (43 goals, 67 assists) and picked up 515 loose balls. Both Gelsvik and Phillips have been placed on the holdout list.
Former Roughnecks defender Brad MacArthur also announced his retirement after playing seven seasons in the league. He played for Calgary in 2004, took two seasons off, and played for the Toronto Rock last season.
MacArthur played in 92 career games since 1999 and was considered one of the top faceoff men in the league. He won 624 career faceoffs and retired in 11th spot on the NLL’s all-time faceoff wins list. MacArthur also played for Rochester and Montreal.
Notes: — Also Tuesday, the Colorado Mammoth named Bob Hamley assistant coach. Joel Rather was named the team’s strength and conditioning coach, Ian Abeyta was named assistant strength and conditioning coach and Dr. Ken Szarka was named performance coach.