Torn pec puts Chris Corbeil’s Toronto Rock debut on pause
Chris Corbeil (Photo: Brent Just)
Prior to the start of the team’s training camp this past weekend, the Toronto Rock announced that Chris Corbeil had been moved to their injured-reserve list. Toronto had signed Corbeil, one of this year’s most in-demand unrestricted free agents, to a single-season contract in August.
As confirmed in the Rock’s Friday afternoon announcement, “Corbeil suffered a torn pectoral muscle during training for the upcoming season and has undergone successful surgery to repair the tear.
“He will not be available to begin the season, however Rock medical staff and Corbeil are both extremely optimistic about the possibility of the star defender pulling on a Rock jersey later in the season.”
Corbeil and now former Saskatchewan Rush teammate, Kyle Rubisch, were considered by most to be this past summer’s top two defensive UFAs. While Corbeil signed with the Rock, Rubisch remained with the Rush.
If and when he plays in 2023, it will be Corbeil’s 13th season in the NLL. At 34 years old, the three-time Defensive Player of the Year finalist proved a season ago he’s still one of the top D-first players in the league today.
“Chris’s situation is just awful, it’s just a case of bad luck because he was preparing for the season like he always does and then he suffers a pretty significant injury,” said Rock Owner, President and General Manager Jamie Dawick in last week’s team statement. “It’s going to delay his debut with the Rock, but there is lots of time ahead for him in a Rock uniform, it’s just unfortunate that it won’t be at the beginning of the year.”
The same announcement also confirmed that defender Jason Noble was moved to the team’s hold-out list, Dawick stating that the former NLL Defensive Player of the Year (2017), “…wasn’t’ ready to come to camp.” The Rock had traded their first-round pick in the 2020 & 2021 NLL Entry Draft to the Georgia Swarm for Noble’s services.
Last year, Toronto defenseman Mitch de Snoo was named the NLL’s Defensive Player of the Year, joining Pat Coyle (2002) & Sandy Chapman (2010) as the franchise’s former winners of the same honour.
Returning to Toronto’s defensive unit this season are: de Snoo, Latrell Harris, Brad Kri, Billy Hostrawser, Brandon Slade, Josh Jubenville, Sheldon Burns, Jamison Dilks, Adam Jay, Phil Mazzuca, Chris Weier, TD Ierlan, Jordan McKenna and captain Challen Rogers, who many expect will see even more offensive minutes than he has in recent seasons. Last year, the Rock finished with easily the league’s lowest goals-against total (166).
In addition to picking up Corbeil via free agency this past offseason, the Rock also signed veteran forwards Corey Small & Stephen Keogh to one-year deals.
The Rock will play their first of three exhibition games this coming Saturday against the Colorado Mammoth at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre. Toronto will also play pre-season games against the Rush & New York Riptide. All three contests will be open to the public. While there is no admission fee, the team is asking for a charitable donation.