Banister Makes NLL Debut at Saddledome in Black
April 12, 2014 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
Edmonton, AB----Alberta-bred Mitch Banister has been activated from the Practice Roster and will make his NLL debut tonight for the Edmonton Rush.
Fittingly for Banister, the Calgary native will play his first pro game in front of his home-town crowd as the Rush meet the Roughnecks at the Saddedome. Banister is also the son of former Roughnecks owner Brad Banister.
Banister was Edmonton's fourth-round pick (35th overall) in the 2012 NLL Entry Draft, spending all of the 2013 NLL season on the Practice Roster. With injuries mounting for the Rush, Banister was put on the Active Roster and will now play his first professional game, filling in for defender Nik Bilic, who was placed on Injured Reserve.
Though he stands just six-foot and 175 pounds, Banister is a rugged customer who enjoys being a agitating, physical presence on the turf. During the 2013 summer season, Banister was third in penalty minutes for WLA's Maple Ridge Burrards.
"We like his toughness and he has a lot of grit," said Rush GM/Head Coach Derek Keenan upon drafting Banister. "He has a great big learning curve in front of him but we like him." The La Roche College product played his junior lacrosse in Okotoks, Alberta, and helped lead the Raiders to appearances in the 2010 and 2011 Minto Cup national championship tournaments.
"I saw him play against us at the Minto Cup and I liked his energy and his toughness," added Keenan, who also coaches the Whitby (Ont.) Warriors junior team. "I like his grit and tenacity. He's a pest for sure. I know our guys didn't like playing against him."
National Lacrosse League Stories from April 12, 2014
- Roughnecks Fall 15-11 to Rush - Calgary Roughnecks
- Swarm Hold off Bandits for 10-9 Victory on Hive Cares Night - Minnesota Swarm
- Knighthawks Ground Stealth, Clinch East Division - Rochester Knighthawks
- Stealth's Playoff Hopes Take a Hit - Vancouver Stealth
- Playoff Hopes Dashed, Philadelphia Wings Drop Nail-Biter in Toronto - Philadelphia Wings
- Playoff Hopes Dashed, Philadelphia Wings Drop Nail-Biter In Toronto - Philadelphia Wings
- Rock Clinch Playoff Spot with Win over Phildelphia - Toronto Rock
- Banister Makes NLL Debut at Saddledome in Black - Edmonton Rush
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
