TORONTO (CP) - Colin Doyle is on the move in a trade that could transform the fortunes of two National Lacrosse League teams.
The Toronto Rock sent the star forward and defenceman Darren Halls to the San Jose Stealth for forwards Kevin Fines and Ryan Benesch, the No. 1 pick in the 2006 NLL draft, and defenceman Chad Thompson on Wednesday.
San Jose also picked up a 2007 first-round draft pick while the Rock acquired the Stealth's 2008 and 2009 first-round selections.
The blockbuster comes just days before the 2007 begins. The first two games are Saturday although Toronto and San Jose don't open play until January.
"Naturally it was a shock for Colin," Mike Kloepfer, the Rock's director of lacrosse operations, said on a conference call. "It was something he didn't expect but I think he realizes change happens and he accepted that."
Doyle - the 2005 league MVP, a seven-time all-pro selection and winner of five championships during nine seasons in Toronto - gives the Stealth the type of big-time scorer they've been looking for.
They were just 5-11 last season, with offence at the source of their problems.
"We had to address that and we gave up a lot but we got a lot," said Stealth general manager Johnny Mouradian. "He knows . . . that he's going to have an impact on the direction of our franchise for years to come."
The deal shook Doyle, who is getting married Dec. 31 and just graduated from teachers' college, but he's expected to suit up or San Jose's opener Jan. 5 versus Rochester.
Mouradian likens the deal to the one the NHL's San Jose Sharks made last season for Joe Thornton.
"We have a lot of young ball players and we need someone like Colin to come in and see if he can take our team to the next level, just like Thornton did with the Sharks," he said. "We see the parallel there."
The Rock, on the other hand, signalled an intention to change the playing style they employed last season when they finished 8-8. Toronto opens the season Jan. 13 in Rochester.
Kloepfer projects Benesch as an offensive player who can develop into a consistent left-handed scorer like Doyle. Fines and Thompson should be able to contribute immediately as transition players for the Rock.
"We look at it from both ends, offensive to defensive transition and taking away opportunities from teams as well as generating them from our defensive end," said Rock coach Glenn Clark. "I think we've addressed it in both of those areas."
Kloepfer understands that Rock fans may initially have a hard time with Doyle's departure but asks for time to understand it. He says the deal had to be made, something even the current Rock players were acknowledging.
"One of the concerns we've had with our roster is where we're scoring our goals from and one thing Glenn has identified and it's been very obvious looking at where the team has been is that our transition opportunities haven't been there," said Kloepfer.
"Once these young players get here and start showing what they can do and what they can contribute, I think our fans will be excited."