NLL Saskatchewan Rush

Rush Announce 2018-2019 Roster

Published on December 10, 2018 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Saskatchewan Rush News Release


Saskatoon, SK - Shrewd work at the draft table and in free-agent acquisitions has paid for the Saskatchewan Rush as the club formally announced its opening roster for the 2019 season.

The reigning NLL champions went heavy on defence for the initial lineup, including 2018 draft picks Ryan McLean and Tyler Gaulton along with free-agent pickup Jordi Jones-Smith. The forward group remains a stacked bunch led by 2018 league MVP Mark Matthews plus playoff MVP Jeff Shattler, and now adding 2018 first-round pick Connor Robinson.

One of the few difficult decisions the Rush did make came in the backup goaltending position. Adam Shute will get the job out of the gate playing behind Evan Kirk as eight-year veteran Tyler Carlson was let go although he could still opt for a spot on the practice roster.

"That was a hard move to make," said Rush GM/head coach Derek Keenan. "Tyler has been so loyal and he's a great teammate, but it was just time. Adam proved he could do the job, was willing to be on the practice roster last year when he could have gone elsewhere, and he's younger."

On the opposite end of the spectrum was Keenan's array of decisions about his young defenders - a group that includes homegrown Saskatchewan Swat junior product Zach Gould, who earned a spot on the practice roster. Those decisions highlighted the team's look ahead to the future, while still sizing up their shot at a fourth title in five years.

"Jones-Smith was a no-brainer because he was the best of the new group of defensive guys," noted Keenan.

"Mason Pynn was a highly regarded pick of ours two years ago but came to his first training camp in terrible shape and I told him he couldn't play in this league with a fitness level like that. Two years later and he's got no body fat on him. He's fast and strong so we've brought him in. He's good with his stick, can run the floor well, and he's good at getting after loose balls.

"Tyler Gaulton was a sixth-round pick, falling for whatever reason, this year and he was excellent. He's big and strong, a good athlete, efficient stick skills, and he knows how to play the game. Ryan McLean was our third-round pick this year and he's just a beast, strong and mobile. And Zach Gould is a good young player and he deserved a spot on the practice roster."

The Rush roster may take a significant swing prior to their season-opener on December 28th in New England should the club get its last three remaining unsigned players inked to new contracts. It's a trio made up of Robert Church, who's coming off an MVP-nominated season, along with hard-nosed defenders Nik Bilic and Mike Messenger.

"We have some depth on defence and some very good players to choose from. If our unsigned guys all come back then we've got some options," added Keenan.

RUSH ROSTER:

Goaltenders - Evan Kirk, Adam Shute

Defencemen - Brett Mydske, Kyle Rubisch, Chris Corbeil, Matt Hossack, Matt MacGrotty, Nick Finlay, Ryan McLean, Tyler Gaulton

Transition - Jeremy Thompson, Travis Cornwall, Jordi Jones-Smith, Mason Pynn

Forwards - Mark Matthews, Ben McIntosh, Ryan Keenan, Jeff Shattler, Curtis Knight, Marty Dinsdale, Connor Robinson

Practice Roster - Zach Gould

Check out the Saskatchewan Rush Statistics

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National Lacrosse League Stories from December 10, 2018


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