Rush 1st Overall Draft Pick McIntosh Makes Debut Saturday Night
January 2, 2015 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
Edmonton, AB----It hasn't taken long for Ben McIntosh to find his groove with the Edmonton Rush.
The No. 1 overall pick in the most-recent NLL Entry Draft will make his pro debut on Saturday night when the Rush visit the Buffalo Bandits to launch the 2015 season. McIntosh is expected to bring even more offensive skills to an already potent Rush attack, and despite being new to the team, the burgeoning star is quite familiar to a number of players he'll be trying to light up opposing goaltenders with.
"I have played with (Robert) Church for as long as I can remember, I currently play with (Riley) Loewen and Jarrett Davis in Maple Ridge (WLA summer season) and I played a season with Mark Matthews in junior so that has definitely helped with the transition," said McIntosh.
"It's not always easy coming on to a new team and fitting in but these guys have made it easy. They are all great players and great guys to play with."
Chosen out of Drexel University, McIntosh was deemed the "most pro ready" of all the elite prospects eligible for the '14 draft. In his senior season, McIntosh collected 48 goals raising his career total to 191 with the Dragons in 90 regular season and playoff games. The native of Coquitlam, British Columbia, was previously an Honorable Mention All-American at Drexel as well as First Team All-CAA, and a CAA Commissioner's Academic Award recipient majoring in international business. McIntosh finished with 328 career points at Drexel.
In junior, McIntosh and Church were part of the "Big Four" with the Coquitlam Adanacs. Despite playing in limited action due to his college commitments, McIntosh starred for the Adanacs in 2012, scoring 27 goals and 15 assists for 42 points in only nine games, and then going on to finish second in scoring at that season's Minto Cup tournament.
After going first overall in the WLA draft to Maple Ridge, McIntosh had a breakout summer campaign in 2014, leading the Burrards in playoff scoring with 38 points including 27 goals - 14 of which came on the power play. McIntosh suited up for just 11 regular-season games for Maple Ridge but racked up 32 points.
All of that experience has helped McIntosh be prepared for donning a Rush jersey for his first pro game.
"I think just having played with and against a lot of players in the league already helps," said McIntosh. "Also I have been lucky enough to play in a lot of big games with Coquitlam in my junior years and with Drexel in college.
"The transition has been pretty smooth so far. I'm sure the speed is going to elevate even more so I'm sure it will take a bit of getting used to but it will be exciting."
Under GM/Head Coach Derek Keenan, the Rush have certainly aced their recent top draft selections featuring the electrifying duo of Mark Matthews and Curtis Knight along with standouts like Robert Church, Riley Loewen, and Adrian Sorichetti. McIntosh may be a different fit than all the rest but he and the Rush are definitely anticipating similar results.
"I think I will fit in more as an inside guy creating space for my teammates and myself by setting picks," McIntosh explained. "Everyone on our offense is so good with the ball in their sticks so I think my role may be a little more off-ball.
"I think my best asset is creating space and getting open inside and playing in tight to the net. Hopefully I'll be getting a lot of chances from in close."
Fans can enter the 2015 Rush Bracket Challenge sponsored by Pizza Hut and Pure Canadian Game FREE of charge at Facebook.com/theedmontonrush or www.edmontonrush.com. An entry must be completed and submitted on or before January 2, 2015. Once the season has begun on January 3, 2015, no more entries will be accepted. Limit one (1) registration and entry per person and per email address. Full details of the 2015 Rush Bracket Challenged sponsored by Pizza Hut and Pure Canadian Gaming are located at Facebook.com/theedmontonrush and www.edmontonrush.com. (2015 Rush Bracket Challenge does not include exhibition games).
2015 Edmonton Rush Season Tickets are now on sale and single game tickets are now on sale. The Rush open the 2015 Season, Saturday, January 10, 2015 against the Minnesota Swarm. For more information, please visit www.edmontonrush.com or phone 780 732-RUSH to speak with a ticket representative and get your tickets to the 10th year of Edmonton Rush lacrosse.
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- Rush 1st Overall Draft Pick McIntosh Makes Debut Saturday Night - Edmonton Rush
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