Edmonton Rush Announce 2010 Roster
Published on December 23, 2009 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
Edmonton, AB---The Edmonton Rush open the 2010 National Lacrosse League campaign with the highest expectations in team history following an off-season of loading up with talented players through the shrewd moves of a new GM/Head Coach.
With four years under their belts and no playoff berths to show for their work, the Rush have revamped the lineup heading into the new season all in an effort to finally reward their loyal legion of fans with an appearance in the Champion's Cup playoffs. Derek Keenan, the Rush's new GM/Head Coach, spent the majority of the summer and fall finding new players to make the playoff dream become a reality, and the feeling amongst insiders is that the Rush have all the elements in place to be a real threat to the rest of the NLL.
"Until we start playing games for real we won't know for sure but on paper and what I have seen at camp and the exhibition game with Calgary I believe we have the ingredients for success." states GM/Head Coach Keenan
A number of key players have returned to the Rush including the franchise's all-time leading scorer and hometown hero Jimmy Quinlan, team captain Chris McElroy, defensive stalwarts Ian Hawksbee and Rory Glaves, and sniper Andy Secore. What should bolster the confidence of the returnees is the fact that the supporting cast around them has dramatically improved to the point where the Rush have added some of the NLL's very best players.
Keenan went out and recruited some familiar names who've played for him in the past particularly Brodie Merrill, unquestionably one of the world's lacrosse phenoms. The former NLL and Rookie of the Year is coming off another All-Star season while adding the league's Transition Player of the Year to his plethora of awards. Merrill will undoubtedly help the Rush at both ends of the floor.
Another key off-season acquisition is Gavin Prout, the former franchise scoring leader for the Colorado Mammoth. A seven-time All-Star, Prout's undeniable offensive talents will go a long way towards erasing the Rush's scoring woes which have seem them twice finish dead-last in the league in goals-scored. The Rush's entire offence underwent a major overhaul with Prout now joined up front by 2009 first-round pick Corey Small, veteran Ryan Powell, along with Ryan Ward, Justin Norbraten, and Dean Hill who all came over in a major trade with Minnesota. Also joining the fray up front are two more '09 top draft picks - Scott Tinning and Dane Stevens.
"I also think we have a strong group of leaders. We have 4 rookies on the roster and I think all will make an impact, a couple immediate, a couple down the road. I also think we have depth in all areas. It might take a bit of time to mold this team but I think that process will be quick" continues Keenan
Defensively, the Rush's new look will certainly help the club improve on a league-worst 39.7% penalty-killing. Merrill, McElroy, and Hawksbee will be counted on to track down loose balls - Merrill being one of the league's best since coming into the NLL in 2006, while McElroy and Hawksbee have both held the Rush team record in the category. Newcomer Scott Stewart will bolster the back end alongside faceoff man Pat Jones, returning Ian Crashley, and hulking Bruce Alexander. Veteran Derek Suddons, '09 draft pick and former junior standout Brett Mydske, and popular enforcer Ryan McNish round out the Rush's defensive corp.
The Rush should also find themselves in much better shape between the pipes - a sore point for the club one year ago. Matt Disher returns to the Rush where he spent part of the 2008 season and the veteran netminder is coming off his best season where he set career bests in both save-percentage and goals-against average. He'll be backed up by Brandon Atherton, one of the NLL's top goaltending prospects.
"I like both of our goalies, we are big and athletic on the back end, we are skilled and fast in transition and we have skill perimeter presence and experience on offence."
Rush News: The Rush is pleased to announce Global Sports Anchor and Reporter John Sexsmith as the in-house announcer for the 2010 season. Sexsmith is very involved with minor lacrosse in the city of Edmonton and is looking forward to joining the Rush at Rexall Place for the 2010 season.
The Rush starts the 2010 season on the road January, 15, 2010 versus the Washington Stealth in Everett, Washington, while the club's first home game is set for January, 23, 2010 at Rexall Place against the Buffalo Bandits.
National Lacrosse League Stories from December 23, 2009
- Washington Stealth Announce 2010 Roster - Washington Stealth
- Calgary Roughnecks Announce 2010 Roster - Calgary Roughnecks
- Wings Announce Final Roster For 2010 Season - Philadelphia Wings
- Knighthawks To Take Flight With Veterans At The Controls - Rochester Knighthawks
- Toronto Rock Announce 2010 Roster - Toronto Rock
- Edmonton Rush Announce 2010 Roster - 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.
