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Saskatchewan Rush

Rush Select Keenan & Messenger in First Round of 2016 NLL Entry

September 27, 2016 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Saskatchewan Rush News Release


With the first overall pick in the 2016 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft, the Saskatchewan Rush held firm with their plan to take the best player available in selecting talented forward Ryan Keenan.

The consensus top pick by most insiders, Keenan is regarded as the most-pro ready player in the talent pool with a polished game and skill set to match, making him the right fit for the two-time defending league champions. Saskatchewan acquired the pick two years ago by trading Corey Small to Vancouver for the Stealth's first-round selection.

"The selection of Ryan Keenan is all about what he can bring to the Rush," said Owner Bruce Urban.

"There is the obvious family connection, but with the first overall pick, you don't play hunches or favourites. You take the best player on the board and without a doubt that player is Ryan Keenan."

Keenan, the son of Rush GM/Head Coach Derek Keenan, had an outstanding season with Quinnipiac, leading the school to its first-ever win in the NCAA Championship Tournament. Along the way, Keenan posted a 30-game scoring streak with 51 points including 33 goals, plus a plethora of individual honours including First Team MAAC Conference and MAAC Tournament Team and a spot on the MAAC Conference All-Academic Team. This past summer, Keenan registered 40 points in 13 games with Brooklin (Ontario's Major Series Lacrosse).

From IL Indoor's Stephen Stamp:

"(Keenan) does enough of everything to step right into the NLL and make a contribution. Passes well, shoots, well, sees the floor well, high lacrosse IQ, hard worker. Keenan is the kind of player whose contributions may not jump out at you, but when you watch him closely, you see that he is helping his team win ... Keenan has done nothing in the MSL playoffs to suggest he's anything but ready to step into an NLL lineup and contribute in a depth role."

Saskatchewan also had the third overall pick in the draft after acquiring a first-round selection from the Rochester Knighthawks. With the No. 3 pick, the Rush chose defenceman Michael Messenger from New Westminster (B.C.'s Western Lacrosse Association) where he put up seven points in regular-season action. In junior, Messenger helped the Coquitlam Adanacs win a pair B.C. provincial titles and earn spots in the Minto Cup.

Another player regarded as pro-ready, Messenger helped Limestone College win back-to-back NCAA Div. II championships in 2014 and 2015, and was named the '15 championship game's most outstanding player. After leading all of Div. II with 55 goals in 2015 to go with First Team All-American status, Messenger was selected as the 2016 Nike/Lax Magazine Div. II Pre-Season Player of the Year. He didn't disappoint in his final season, racking up 60 goals and wrapping up the year by being named the USILA/Nike Div. II Most Outstanding Player.

Check out the Saskatchewan Rush Statistics

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