Exhibition Season Is Here

Published on December 17, 2009 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release


Edmonton, AB--- Brodie Merrill can't have Saturday in Lethbridge come fast enough. It's not that the transition player hasn't enjoyed getting ready in the Rush training camp -- he's just eager to get some game action in with his new teammates as the Rush battle the Calgary Roughnecks in Battle of Alberta exhibition play Saturday, December 19 at the Enmax Centre in Lethbridge, Game Time, 7:30 p.m.

"It'll be nice to see our unit out there as a team together playing," said Merrill, who scored 47 points and picked up a league-best 216 loosies last season "We've had scrimmages, but, nothing compares to game style and game speed."

Compared to the Team White versus Team Black play in training camp, Merrill's eager to play alongside the new-look squad and see what the Rush puts on the carpet against Calgary in the pre-season matchup.

"It's nice competing against each other out here, but there are times looking at the other squad and there's some players you're really looking forward to playing with, so, once we combine it for the exhibition game, it'll be exciting," said Merrill.

"We try to simulate game situations in practice, but nothing quite the same as going against another opponent," said dependable Pat Jones, likely the steal of the recent Dispersal Draft at 23rd overall. "We want to go out and play with intensity and hard work and work on the systems. There's a lot of new faces, but we'll go in and try to win, just like we do every game. We're going to play as hard as we can to prepare for the first regular season game."

The Roughnecks provide a top-notch quality test for the Rush as the defending Champion's Cup winners again are a favourite for the NLL crown this year.

"There's an extremely talented roster," said Jones of Calgary. "They have a lot of stars up front and a great leader in Tracey Kelusky. They're a veteran team and it will be a real good test for us."

"Saturday's going to be a great test for us," chipped in Secore. "Obviously, Calgary is the class of the league right now, so it's a great way for us to get our feet wet. We hope to build some chemistry, but also to compete against someone wearing another jersey. That's definitely going to be welcome for the players."

"My expectations aren't super-high for next weekend," said Keenan. "We just need to work through some things and get to know one another a bit better. "Exhibition games are all about preparations, right? It'll give us a good idea though of where we're at."

While Keenan expects the road game will act as a bond for the 23-players going into the exhibition contest, he also expects a valiant effort from his charges in Lethbridge.

"Even more than the result is how we play," he said. "We put an emphasis on guys willing to pay the price to have success. Saturday, I want the guys to show that. That's what we have to do to win."

"We're definitely taking 23 players to Lethbridge Saturday, so our roster will be set," said Rush head coach and GM Derek Keenan. "I've been really pleased with the efforts of the players. These are tough cuts. All the guys that made it to this point in camp deserve to be on this team, but, there is only so many spots and some guys have played better that others."

The team released forwards Ryan Campbell and Jamie Floris today.

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.

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National Lacrosse League Stories from December 17, 2009


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