Edmonton Rush Announce Their 2011 Roster
December 23, 2010 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
Edmonton,AB----The Edmonton Rush has announced its roster for upcoming National Lacrosse League season today, a lineup that intends to challenge for the 2011 Champion's Cup title.
Rush General Manager/Head Coach Derek Keenan has assembled a group that blends veteran savvy, youthful enthusiasm, talent, hustle, and a desire to succeed. The Rush are coming off their best season in franchise history and intend on improving on that which means only one thing - a trip to the NLL championship game.
"We were within a goal of hosting the Champion's Cup game last season. We achieved a great deal but there's so much more that we want and are striving for," said Keenan, whose team notched a franchise-best 10-6 regular-season record in 2010, and then knocked the defending champion Calgary Roughnecks out of the playoffs in the West Division semifinal. The Rush's season came to an end in the West Division final as they fell 12-11 in overtime to the eventual league-champion Washington Stealth.
"I am extremely happy with this roster and I am very confident that the Rush are going to be a serious contender for the championship in 2011," added Keenan.
"I like our mix of experience and youth, but most of all I like the skill sets that these players bring and the effort that these players are willing to put forth. We're designed to play an up-tempo, exciting brand of lacrosse, and that is going to take a lot of desire and hustle from our players. I think this group of players is willing to do whatever it's going to take to get the Rush to Champion's Cup."
The Rush have a host of notable names back for the quest of 2011's title run including new team captain and two-time defending NLL Transition Player of the Year Brodie Merrill, last year's team leading scorer Ryan Ward, goaltender Matt Disher who is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, and slick forward Gavin Prout, who sits 10th on the NLL's list of all-time leading scorers. As well, the Rush return two original members of the team from the inaugural 2006 season - local product and assistant captain Jimmy Quinlan along with stalwart defender Rory Glaves.
Also back in black and silver for 2011 are goaltender Brandon Atherton, defender Pat Jones, transitions Scott Stewart and Ian Hawksbee, and forwards Andy Secore and Dean Hill.
Newcomers to the Rush include defender Bruce Murray (free-agent signing), Bill Greer (dispersal draft selection), and Devan Wray (trade with Calgary).
Also back with the Rush for the 2011 season is the strong contingent of players who made great strides in their rookie campaigns of a year ago. Anchoring that group is transition player Brett Mydske, who earned the Rush's Top Rookie award last season. He is joined by fellow sophomore standouts Corey Small, Dane Stevens, and Scott Tinning - all offensive-minded forwards who expect to take on greater roles in 2011. John Lafontaine and Kedoh Hill, who were taken with back-to-back picks in the 2010 NLL Entry Draft, are the Rush rookies for the upcoming season.
As well as solidifying their 23-man roster, the Rush moved defender John Lintz and goaltender Mitch Anders to the Practice Roster, while veteran rearguard Ryan McNish was placed on the Protected Player List and defender Jarrett Toll currently playing hockey for the Golden Bear at the University of Alberta is placed on the Hold Out List.
2011 Rush Roster
Goaltenders
00 Brandon Atherton
1 Matt Disher
Defenders
5 Ian Crashley
7 Derek Suddons
10 Bruce Murray
12 Pat Jones
43 Rory Glaves
Transition
2 Brett Mydske
8 Scott Stewart
17 Brodie Merrill Captain
19 Bill Greer
24 Devan Wray
33 John Lafontaine
81 Jimmy Quinlan Assistant Captain
88 Ian Hawksbee
Forwards
4 Scott Tinning
9 Gavin Prout Assistant Captain
20 Dane Stevens
21 Andy Secore
44 Ryan Ward
45 Corey Small
66 Kedoh Hill
73 Dean Hill
Edmonton Rush fans are going to be able to keep track of their favorite team better than ever before thanks to the club ¬â¢s new television broadcast agreement.
The Rush have partnered with Citytv which will air seven of the team ¬â¢s eight road games live during the 2011 National Lacrosse League season.
In addition to the Citytv broadcasts, both of the Rush ¬â¢s matchups against the Toronto Rock will be shown on TSN2. The Rush visit the Air Canada Centre in Toronto for the season-opener on Saturday, January 8, and then the two clubs face each other again in the regular-season finale at Rexall Place in Edmonton on Saturday, April 16.
The Rush will make their Rexall Place debut for the 2011 season on January 28 when they play the first of four games against the arch-rival Calgary Roughnecks.
National Lacrosse League Stories from December 23, 2010
- Minnesota Swarm Announce Final 23-Man Roster for 2011 Season - Minnesota Swarm
- Rochester Knighthawks Set 23-Man Roster - Rochester Knighthawks
- Knighthawks Jamieson Signs Longest Contract in NLL History - Rochester Knighthawks
- Roughnecks Roster Ready for 2011 - Calgary Roughnecks
- Wings Select Final 23 - Philadelphia Wings
- Pat O'Toole Moves to New Role as Knighthawks' Goaltending Coach - Rochester Knighthawks
- Boston Blazers Release Head Coach Tom Ryan - Boston Blazers
- Washington Stealth Announces Roster for 2011 Season - Washington Stealth
- Boston Blazers Announce 23-Man Roster for the 2011 NLL Season - Boston Blazers
- Edmonton Rush Announce Their 2011 Roster - Edmonton Rush
- Mammoth Names Final Roster for 2011 Season - Colorado Mammoth
- Rock Set Final Roster - Toronto Rock
- Iannucci Back with Philadelphia Wings - Philadelphia Wings
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.
