2014 NLL Defender of the Year... Rush have two chances
September 19, 2014 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
Edmonton, AB---The Edmonton Rush are being well-represented at the National Lacrosse League's award ceremony which takes place this Sunday in Toronto.
Not only are several players in the hunt for NLL hardware including Jeremy Thompson, Aaron Bold, and Robert Church, but Derek Keenan is up for both GM and Coach of the Year while Rush Owner Bruce Urban is nominated for Executive of the Year. Yet it's one category in particular that the Rush will be really focused upon - the NLL's Defensive Player of the Year award.
Edmonton's Kyle Rubisch is the two-time defending Defensive Player of the Year and is generally regarded as the best in the league at his position. However, the primary challenger to Rubisch's reign is fellow Rush rearguard Chris Corbeil. The Rush are blessed with arguably the best crop of defenders in the NLL with Rubisch and Corbeil at the front of the pack.
The pair took some time to recollect their long history together as well as take some good-natured shots at each other as they vie for the honor of being the NLL's top defender.
Rush: You two have played together now with the Rush for three seasons but you also have a history together from the past. What was your first impression of each other?
Corbeil: Kyle and I actually grew up playing against each other in minor. He played with Brampton and I played for Burlington/Oakville. It wasn't until we made the move to Junior A that we got the chance to play together. From 2006-2009, we suited up for the Junior A Brampton Excelsiors and have played each summer since together with the Senior A Brampton Excelsiors.
Rubisch: I recall being extremely excited that we were going to be Jr A teammates after playing against each other in the same division in Jr B.
Rush: What was your favorite memory from past teams together?
Corbeil: My best memory of playing with Kyle came in the summer of 2011. We were playing in the Mann Cup against Langley when, in the middle of the best-of-seven series, we were both acquired by the Edmonton Rush (Kyle via the Boston Blazers dispersal draft and myself via a trade with the Buffalo Bandits) only a day apart. I remember Derek calling me to tell me about the trade and informing me right away that he would be drafting Kyle the next day. The news that we would be playing together in the NLL ended up being a sign of good things to come as we went on to beat Langley and win the Mann Cup - our first championship together as teammates.
Rubisch: I have to agree with Chris that winning the Mann Cup together was our best moment. Playing together for so long and coming so close to winning a Minto Cup, it was such a rewarding feeling to finally win a championship let alone winning with such a good friend.
Rush: Did you ever think you'd both play in the NLL and be such dominant players?
Corbeil: I didn't think I'd ever get the chance to play in the NLL. I saw a number of players before me, who were much better than I was, fail to earn jobs in the league, so I didn't really think I stood much of a chance. The idea of even playing in the NLL, let alone playing alongside Kyle or being nominated for any type of award, was pretty inconceivable for me. I think the coaching staff had higher expectations for me when we first started our junior careers. Despite that, Kyle clearly emerged as the more dominant player, and it wasn't long before he was earning all sorts of awards and accolades.
Rubisch: I think there was a little more excitement for Chris heading into our Junior A team, which was rightly deserved. Chris may argue that I am the better player but Chris brings so many different elements to the game that can't be matched. I focus on the defensive aspects of the game, but Chris is a complete player which is extremely rare. Chris is obviously one of the best defenseman in the game but he also sparks and dominates in the transition game and has one of the best finishing and scoring skills in the league. Not only has Chris emerged as an all-around player he has also developed into one of the best captains I have ever played for. He is a true leader on and off the floor, leading by example and always saying or doing the right things.
Rush: Chris, was it true that you and the rest of the team gave Kyle a hard time about not scoring very much last season despite a number of chances. He was amongst one of the last players to score a goal on the roster.
Corbeil: I give him a harder time about not scoring in his men's hockey league. I've come out to play with his squad a few times and I've yet to see him even register a single point, which is especially strange considering he's constantly bragging about his latest Phil Kessel-esque goal.
Rush: Kyle, did the team give Chris a rough go of it when he appeared shirtless in an ad for the team?
Rubisch: First off, it's true he does give me a harder time about not scoring in men's league hockey more than in the NLL but I think it's worse when Chris (a former pro hockey player) can't crack the top line of my men's league hockey team (LOL). And, of course I had to give Chris a hard time about the topless photoshoot because it was a tad embarrassing, but Chris loved every moment of getting to show off his chest. Chris also got to make fun, however, as I had to decline after being suggested for the picture as I decided I was far too less "physically defined" for the shoot.
Rush: You're both up for the Defender of the Year. Let's put it out there. First, Chris. Who had a better year ... you or Kyle?
Corbeil: I'd have to admit that Kyle had the better year. Kyle got the tougher assignments and still managed to be far more reliable defensively than me. He dominated the oppositions' forwards, once again leading the league in forced turnovers. He finished second among non-faceoff players in loose balls which is an incredibly important statistic. Aside from all that, Kyle made big plays for us at big times the entire season. He'd win possession for us at crucial times, he'd completely shut down the other team's top player, he'd deliver a big hit or get into a fight to change the momentum of the game. Quite simply, he dominated the defensive end of the floor. Kyle is the definition of a franchise player. No one is as dominant at their respective position as Kyle. Teams are forced to adjust their game plan around him and he has the ability to shut down any player in the world. He's as humble as they come and the ultimate team player. You couldn't build your team around a better player.
Rush: Kyle, you're the two-time defending champ of this award category. Does Chris a chance to dethrone you?
Rubisch: Personally, I think Chris had the better year. Not only did he lead us on defense with amazing numbers and performances, he also led our transition game and scoring huge game-changing goals for the team. He managed to do all this while taking on the top matchups, scooping up loose balls all over the floor and being the person for the Rush to follow and look up to.
Rush: Individual awards are great and the Rush are nominated in every major category. But would you trade the nominations and the awards themselves for a Champion's Cup title?
Corbeil: No question, I'd much rather win a Champion's Cup title.
Rubisch: As Chris said, I would no doubt rather win a champions cup title in Edmonton!
The 2014 NLL Combine and 2014 NLL Season Awards Ceremony is set for Sunday, September, 21, 2014 before the 2014 NLL Draft takes place on Monday, September, 22, 2014. All three draft weekend events will be hosted at Toronto Rock Athletic Centre (TRAC), which is located at 1132 Invicta Drive in Oakville, Ontario.
For the first time in NLL history, the league will announce season awards in a ceremony format with award finalists on-site. Current and former NLL players and coaches will also be in attendance with some serving as presenters for the awards, which include 2014 NLL MVP, Rookie of the Year, All-Pro and All-Rookie teams, and more.
Sunday, Sept. 21
2014 NLL Combine: 11 a.m. ET - 9 a.m. MST
2014 NLL Season Awards Ceremony: 7:30 p.m. ET - 5:30 p.m. MST
Monday, Sept. 22
2014 NLL Draft: 7 p.m. ET - 5 pm MST
Media members who wish to cover any or all events are asked to please submit a credential request by contacting NLL Media Relations Coordinator Jeff Baker via email (jbaker@nll.com
All three events will be broadcast live on NLL.com while Monday's Draft will also air live on YouTube via The Lacrosse Network (YouTube.com/TLN).
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National Lacrosse League Stories from September 19, 2014
- Roughnecks Reday for 2014 NLL Entry Draft - Calgary Roughnecks
- What to Expect at NLL Draft - Toronto Rock
- 2014 NLL Defender of the Year... Rush have two chances - Edmonton Rush
- Black Wolves Add Two Assistant Coaches - New England Black Wolves
- NLL Draft, NLL Awards & NLL Combine this Weekend in Toronto - NLL
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