Rush Acquire 1st Round Pick, Zach Manns and Adam Jay from the Toronto Rock
July 10, 2023 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Saskatchewan Rush News Release
SASKATOON, SK - The Saskatchewan Rush have acquired a 2023 first-round pick, forward Zach Manns and defender Adam Jay from the Toronto Rock in exchange for forward Mark Matthews. Pending league approval.
Matthews will now get to play closer to home after spending ten seasons with the Rush organization, winning three championships and accumulating over 1000 points in a Rush sweater.
"I've been doing this job for a long time and difficult decisions are often made, but this one is on a whole different level," said General Manager Derek Keenan ."Mark Matthews is the best player in franchise history, period."
"The decision to trade Mark is multilayered. Firstly; what is best for Mark? I think this is a great fit for Mark, for many reasons. I think Toronto had a need and he fits that need well. I think logistically it works well for Mark."
The first-round pick is at 12th overall in 2023, meaning Saskatchewan now holds three picks in both the first and second rounds of the NLL Entry Draft.
Zach Manns, a lefty forward, is entering his fourth season in the NLL. The Victoria, BC product has a total of 116 points in 48 regular season and playoff games. This summer in Senior A ball, Manns leads the WLA with 60 points in 11 games, only trailing Keegan Bal, Mitch Jones, Curtis Dickson and Kevin Crowley in points per game.
Adam Jay, also from Victoria, B.C., is heading into his fifth NLL season. The 6'3 defender has a total of 49 professional games under his belt, averaging 2.45 loose balls per game and had 15 caused turnovers last season.
"From a Saskatchewan Rush team perspective, the players and draft pick we have acquired are a move forward to getting back to the level our fans are more accustomed to," said Keenan.
"Zach Manns is a young, strong, athletic lefty forward with experience in a great program and huge upside. Adam Jay is a solid, athletic defender we've liked for sometime. The 12th pick in this year's draft is a valuable asset to help continue to build the team going forward."
The Saskatchewan Rush organization would like to thank Mark Matthews for his tremendous contribution to our organization over the years and wish him the best of luck in all future endeavours.
National Lacrosse League Stories from July 10, 2023
- Rush Acquire 1st Round Pick, Zach Manns and Adam Jay from the Toronto Rock - Saskatchewan Rush
- Rock Acquire Mark Matthews from Saskatchewan in Blockbuster Trade - Toronto Rock
- Thunderbirds, Austin Shanks Agree to One-Year Extension - Halifax Thunderbirds
- Mammoth Sign Head Coach, Assistant General Manager Pat Coyle to Multi-Year Contract - Colorado Mammoth
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