Benesch Makes Quick Trek to Ol' Stomping Grounds
Published on February 4, 2009 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
Edmonton, AB--Ryan Benesch enjoys the new start he's received with the Edmonton Rush in his young professional lacrosse career. He's just surprised to make a return to his old digs so soon after leaving Toronto.
Benesch, a 24-year-old Rush forward, was acquired by Edmonton from the Toronto Rock in mid-January and a mere three-weeks later, he'll be back on the carpet at the Air Canada Centre to face his former club Feb. 7. Benesch starred for two seasons in Toronto, posting back-to-back 50-plus point seasons and was a key ingredient to the Rock's offense. His play in 2007 -- when he fired 33 goals and 25 assists for 58 points in 15 games -- earned him the National Lacrosse League Rookie of the Year honours. He followed that campaign with a 19-goal performance and 31 assists for 50 points in 14 games in 2008.
Yet, after sitting out for the final two regular season games in 2008 and the first two games of this season with the Rock, the 5-9, 190 lbs. product of Kitchener, Ont., felt his time with Toronto was over. Enter Rush general manager and head coach Bob Hamley. No stranger to pulling the trigger on a deal, Hamley made changes to his roster and headlines across the NLL by acquiring Benesch and rugged defender Derek Suddons in exchange for a first round selection in the 2009 NLL Entry Draft and a second rounder at the 2010 Draft.
The deal is regarded by NLL insiders as a big win for Edmonton now and likely a winner long-term for the club too. In grabbing Benesch, Hamley added another offensive weapon the Rush desperately needed and in Suddons, a rock on defense for Toronto in the past and one of the most reliable NLL defenders, bolstered the back end.
"It wasn't a huge surprise, I had asked for a trade," said Benesch, who saw his floor time with the Rock diminish. "I was just waiting to be dealt."
The transaction was a huge relief for Benesch, especially with him getting a new life to his promising career as the new kid in town for the on-the-rise Rush.
"It's a great feeling to get a fresh start with a new team, especially like Edmonton," Benesch said. "They're a great bunch of guys here and that makes it easy just to come in and play and hopefully help the team get wins."
Being familiar with current members of the Rush, such as goalie Steve "Chugger" Dietrich and Hamley, among others, has helped Benesch in his new environment. So what was Hamley's message to the young scorer?
"He welcomed me to the team and told me his expectations," Benesch said. "He told me there was no pressure on me. Just to relax, get back to the basics and do what I can do and it'll be fine. "Bob knows what I can do. He told me to 'come in and do what I can do,'" Benesch added. "He didn't put any pressure on me expecting me to come in to be the go-to guy."
Benesch made an immediate impact in his first game in the Rush lineup though, scoring two goals, including the game-tieing goal and added an assist for a three-point night in a 10-9 win against Portland Jan. 16 at Rexall Place.
He might not consider himself a go-to guy, however, after five games, Benesch's numbers prove he's a prime candidate for a scoring role and his all-around game has impressed with 8 goals, 12 assists for 20 points and 30 loose balls.
His top game will be needed again this week as the Rush travel to Ontario to battle the Rock Saturday. The Rush (2-4) look to gain ground in the West Division, while Toronto (1-3) needs a win to keep out of the East Division cellar.
So what went sour in TO and how will Benesch approach the game in Toronto?
"Maybe it was just a clash of personalities," said the passive Benesch, reflecting on his laid back attitude and it's effect on his role there. "All I really know it was my time to go.
"Things weren't working and everything has a time to end and my time was then."
Now as a member of the Rush, Benesch wants no more than to earn a victory in his ol' stomping grounds Saturday.
"When you play your old team, you obviously want to beat them," he said. "It's not just the fact I was traded from them, I just want to beat them because I'm now part of the Edmonton Rush and our job is win and I'll do what I have to go to get the W.
"It's just a matter of me being ready to play that game and do what I can do and it's going to be up to the guys on our team too. It's not just going to be me out there trying to prove we can win, it's going to be this whole team."
A team that's made this new kid feel comfortable in his settings this season.
"Players here make it really easy to play with, so I got real lucky to come to a team like Edmonton where everyone gets along," Benesch said.
"It's just fun. It's back to having fun and I'm looking forward to the rest of the season."
Fans can watch the game live online and free of charge via the NLL Network at NLL.com.
The Rush return home to Rexall Place, Sunday, February 22 at 6:00 p.m. to face division rivals the Colorado Mammoth. Tickets are available by calling (780) 732-RUSH.
National Lacrosse League Stories from February 4, 2009
- Bandits and McDonald's Team up to Offer Family Four-Pack - Buffalo Bandits
- Knighthawks' Jason Henhawk out with Injury - Rochester Knighthawks
- Mike Accursi Named Offensive Player Of The Week - Buffalo Bandits
- Swarm Plays Back-to-Back Games this Weekend - Minnesota Swarm
- Boston Blazers Look to Bounce Back Against New York Titans - Boston Blazers
- Fans Help Create Jax Website - Portland Lumberjax
- Mammoth Rookie Danowski,tabbed With Honors - Colorado Mammoth
- Roughnecks Playing Matchmaker This Friday - Calgary Roughnecks
- Disher Overall And Defensive Player Of The Week - Portland Lumberjax
- Portland's Matt Disher named Player of the Week - NLL
- Benesch Makes Quick Trek to Ol' Stomping Grounds - Edmonton Rush
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