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Player Spotlight highlights the finer details and elements while supplying insight to the fans on what a player's thought process may be pertaining to a certain play, game or situation. It brings the intensity, passion, and inner most thoughts of the individual player that otherwise may not be felt or heard. |
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PLPA Correspondent Kevin M. Neibauer recently had the chance to chat with new Philadelphia Wings netminder, Matt Roik. Roik, a 6 foot 5 inch, fifth year pro was recently acquired by the Philadelphia Wings to fill the void opened when back-up Nick Schroeder was taken in the expansion draft. Wings General Manager and Coach, Lindsay Sanderson was ecstatic about getting Roik to bolster his goaltending. With Dallas Eliuk and Roik, the Wings have what some consider as the best tandem in the league. The Dunville, Ontario native, Roik was named as the Grassroots Marketing Coordinator. It is the first time that an NLL team has used a player in such a fashion. Roik will be responsible to spearhead a program geared at local schools and communities to heighten lacrosse awareness. We discussed several topics, including his new teammates, Lindsay Sanderson and the Philadelphia area. | |
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What are your feelings about Philadelphia? |
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I love being in the East...the rivalries, the talent. Look at Buffalo, Rochester and Toronto, all have rosters that are strong from top to bottom, I think that's what make the rivalries so intense. As a visiting player, you stay at the Holiday Inn and you only experience a small part of Philadelphia. Now that I moved here and work here I am learning what the city has to offer. It's a blue collar, hard working city and the fans expect the same from the players. Roik made it clear that he lives in Philadelphia and has a 9 to 5 job at the Wachovia Center. |
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What do feel about Lindsay Sanderson? |
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I have played his teams for years up in Canada. Lindsay has done a tremendous job up their with the team (Northmen), Both Lindsay and Terry Sanderson are well respected and very dedicated.
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Glenn Clark....what does he bring? |
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Veteran leadership, great player and will help this team immensely. He takes pressure off of Tommy Hajek. It is a testament to Lindsay Sanderson that Glenn wants to play here. Glenn lives and works in Toronto....it's his hometown.
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What do you expect this season? |
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I am very excited to get things going. Glenn Clark, the draft picks and the addition of Brad Self are all tremendous." "Self is a great lacrosse player....he has it all, great hands, great vision and a really good shot. Brad will make a major difference once he comes on board. If it came down to Brad or John Grant,,,,I'll go with Brad, he's that good. For those who don't know, Brad Self will finish a college commitment before playing for Philadelphia. Self should be on board at mid-season, if not sooner. |
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What do the rookies, Glenn Clark, Brad Self and Matt Roik do to lessen the gap between Philadelphia and Toronto? |
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It's not what we as individuals bring its what we bring as a team. Every team in the Eastern Conference should be a play-off team, The East is that good." "The guys I see and talk to are all excited. Johnny Christmas, Danny Finck, Luke Wiles...they can't wait to get going. Last season depth was a problem....not now." "Guys like Marohl and Jeff Ratcliffe...they want to win. |
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Dan Marohl had a break out season last year. Who steps up this year? |
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That's always hard to say. This much we know, it will be defense first. The goals will come, but defense first. |
| PLPA Correspondent Kevin M. Neibauer has been contiributing to several on-line sites for the past ten years. Kevin currently acts as the Philadelphia Phantoms correspondent for ProHockeyNews.com Besides his work on the hockey site, Neibauer also contributes to PhiladelphiaLacrosse.com Kevin has been a box lacrosse referee in Philadelphia. Bt day, Kevin is a Union Sheet Metal Worker out of Local 19 in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area |
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