Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Three Chicago Machine Players Named Major League Lacrosse All-Stars






Kevin Leveille, Mike Gabel and Steven Brooks will play in July 17 MLL All-Star

Chicago, IL – Three players from the Chicago Machine pro lacrosse team – Kevin Leveille (#19, Attack), Mike Gabel (#9, Goalie) and Steven Brooks (#10, Midfield) - have been selected to play in the seventh annual Major League Lacrosse All-Star Game. Announced today by David Gross, commissioner of Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the All-Stars were selected by the League's head coaches, general managers and players. For a full roster of MLL All-Stars, visit http://www.majorleaguelacrosse.com/.

The MLL All-Star game will take place on Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 8:00 PM MT at Denver’s INVESCO Field at Mile High. For the second consecutive year, the game will match-up players from the Eastern Conference against their Western Conference counterparts. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN2.

About Kevin Leveille (Attack - 19)
Arguably one of the league’s best players, Chicago Machine attackman Kevin Leveille began his lacrosse career as a standout in high school in Albany, New York. Named a high school All American in lacrosse, he was a multi-sport athlete and was captain of both his high school lacrosse and hockey teams. During his four-year career at the University of Massachusetts/Amherst he finished 11th on the all-time UMass scoring list, was an All American, and was a finalist for the Tewaaraton Trophy, Lacrosse’s Heisman. He started his pro career with the Boston Cannons where he played until being traded to Chicago at the end of the 2005 season. This year he is Chicago’s top scorer, is 3rd in the league in points, 2nd in goals scored, and has a 42-game scoring streak dating back to 2004.

Kevin’s brother, Mike Leveille, joined the Chicago Machine this season and the two now play together on the same team. When not playing lacrosse, Kevin works as the upper Midwest Sales Manager for Warrior and Brine Sports. He’s a huge music fans and has 6,000 songs on his MP3 player. His favorite bands include Phish, Grateful Dead, and the Talking Heads. In addition, he plays the guitar and enjoys going to concerts and hockey games.

About Mike Gabel (Goalie - 9)
Goalie Mike Gabel is one of the original players of the Chicago Machine franchise, now in his 3rd pro year. Mike is having a break-out year in 2008, currently ranked 2nd in the league in save percentage and goals-allowed-average. Mike’s college career at Vermont was record-breaking. His save percentage was 11th best in the country in 2005 and he ended his career breaking Vermont school records for “goals-allowed-average” both in a season and in a career.

When not protecting the cage for the Chicago machine, Gabel stays very busy as the co-founder of True Lacrosse with teammate Jake Deane. At True Lacrosse, Gabel and Deane train high school and college athletes, preparing them for college and professional lacrosse careers.

About Steven Brooks (Midfielder - 10)
Libertyville, Illinois, native Steven Brooks is known to the world of lacrosse as a powerhouse, having most recently played for the 2008 NCAA National Champion lacrosse team at Syracuse University. He’s already making a name for himself, ranking in the top 25 in the MLL in points scored and in the top five of the 2008 Rookies. To be named to the All Star team in his rookie season is certainly a portent of great things to come.

Steven’s teammates and friends know him as “Brooksie,” a fun-loving, superstitious, and outgoing guy. His spirit, despite some personal tragedies in his life, has helped strengthen the team. Steven’s lacrosse stick has the initials of his mother who passed away while he was in high school. He continues that tradition with his Chicago Machine stick as well.

About the Chicago Machine
The Chicago Machine is Chicago’s outdoor professional men’s lacrosse team, members of the Western Conference of Major League Lacrosse (MLL). Now in their third season, the Chicago Machine plays at TOYOTA PARK, 15 minutes southwest of downtown Chicago. Led by head coach John Combs, the team has top players from nationally ranked college programs such as Notre Dame, Cornell, UMass, Virginia, Johns Hopkins, Navy and Syracuse.

The Chicago Machine play the Los Angeles Riptide at 3:30 pm on Sunday, July 6, 2008, at TOYOTA PARK in suburban Chicago. For game schedule, ticketing, team and player information, visit http://www.chicagomachine.com/. To receive score and team news updates, text “Machine” to 28546.












Media Contact: Kevin Boyer, (312) 588-3713, Kevin.Boyer@allterrain.net