Rush and Swarm Make Trade
Published on July 13, 2011 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
Edmonton, AB--Edmonton Rush General Manager/Head Coach Derek Keenan announced a major trade for the National Lacrosse League club today.
The Rush have acquired two-time NLL Defensive Player of the Year Ryan Cousins, two-time 40-goal scorer Aaron Wilson, goaltending prospect Kevin Croswell, and a second-round pick (10th overall) in the 2011 NLL Entry Draft from the Minnesota Swarm in exchange for Edmonton's first-round pick (sixth overall) and fourth-round pick (31st overall) in the 2011 NLL Entry Draft, along with the Rush's second-round pick in the 2012 NLL Entry Draft.
Theacquisitions significantly bolster the Rush in all areas with Cousins providing stellar defensive play and leadership, Wilson bringing top-flight offensive talents, and Croswell solidifying the team's future between the pipes.
"In Ryan Cousins we have acquired a world-class player," said Keenan. "He has long been a top defender in the NLL along with being a great leader. He also adds more speed and skill to our transition game."
"Aaron Wilson is the best off-ball offensive player in the NLL and a great finisher so he will complement our terrific playmakers such as Ryan Ward, Scott Evans, Corey Small and Zach Greer.
"Kevin Croswell is a young goalie who has shown steady improvement and is edging closer to being an NLL starter. We also think there will be a very good player available with the 10th overall pick."
Cousins, who was the captain of the Swarm, spent seven seasons in Minnesota and was named the NLL's Defensive Player of the Year in both 2007 and 2008. The six-foot-one, 200-pound left-shooting rearguard is a 10-year NLL veteran, playing in 128 regular-season games and amassing 31 goals and 47 assists for 78 points plus 172 loose balls.
The 30-year-old Toronto native had his best offensive season in 2005 when he registered career-highs in goals (9), assists (14), and points (23).
Wilson spent the last three seasons in Minnesota after playing six years in Toronto and helping the Rock win the 2005 Champion's Cup. He set a career-high with 41 goals during that championship season and has totalled 24 points in seven playoff games.
The five-foot-eight, 180-pound forward had his most prolific season in 2010 when he reached the 40-goal plateau for a second time and set a career-high with 89 points. Last season with the Swarm, Wilson notched 23 goals and 34 assists for 57 points.
Wilson, 31, plays in the summer for his home-town Kitchener-Waterloo Kodiaks (Major Series Lacrosse) and currently has 17 points in 10 games.
Croswell, a native of Peterborough, Ontario, was primarily used by the Swarm as the back-up to Nick Patterson, and has played just 953 minutes over the course of the past four NLL seasons. The six-foot-four, 205-pound netminder has a career 11.52 goals-against average and a .773 save-percentage.
Croswell mustered the best outing of his NLL career in 2011, managing an impressive 47 saves in a 13-8 victory over Calgary last April. This summer, he is playing for his home-town Peterborough Lakers (Major Series Lacrosse) and is anchoring the league-leaders with a 6-0 record along with the league's second-best goals-against average at 7.11.
National Lacrosse League Stories from July 13, 2011
- Dawick Claws His Way to Day 3 at WSOP Main Event - Toronto Rock
- Rock Acquire Dan Carey and Draft Picks from Colorado - Toronto Rock
- Knighthawks Re-Sign a Lacrosse Legacy - Rochester Knighthawks
- Mammoth Acquires Youth, Picks In Trade With Rock - Colorado Mammoth
- Minnesota Swarm Acquire First Round Draft Pick From Edmonton - Minnesota Swarm
- Rush and Swarm Make Trade - Edmonton Rush
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