Rush franchise two players
August 1, 2006 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
EDMONTON, AB-General Manager/Head Coach Paul Day designated recently acquired forwards Dan Stroup and Chris Gill today shielding the veteran players from unrestricted free agency.
National Lacrosse League teams were permitted to name up to two franchise players, thereby retaining the rights to key veteran players. Only players that are 32 or older and have at least six seasons of NLL experience are eligible for the franchise designation.
The Rush acquired the pair of ten-year NLL veterans, Dan Stroup and Chris Gill through a trade with the Chicago Shamrox, in exchange for Rush forwards Matt Giles and Jason Clark and its 12th overall selection in the 2006 Entry Draft.
The NLL's free agent signing period begins on Wednesday, August 2 when teams will begin signing unrestricted fee agents to contracts and restricted free agents to offer sheets. Once a restricted free agent signs an offer sheet with another club, his club from last season will have the opportunity to retain the player by matching the offer.
Dan Stroup, 6'0", 190 lbs. right-hand forward was picked with the 9th selection by the Shamrox in the Expansion Draft. The power-play offensive specialist leaves the current NLL Champions Colorado Mammoth following two full seasons where he recorded 53 goals, 22 assists for a total of 75 points. His lacrosse resume brings great depth to the Rush offensive. He played in the NLL championships with Toronto Rock in 1999, 2000 and 2002 ... Was MVP of 2000 Champion's Cup Final for Toronto ... Has played for WLA's Coquitlam Adanacs ... Played field lacrosse for Team Canada in 1998 and 2002 ... Member of Team Canada for 2002 Heritage Cup ... Scored career-high 37 goals for Toronto in 2002 ... Set career highs with Vancouver Ravens in 2003 with 36 assists and 70 points ... NLL All-Star in 2004 for Ravens ... Recorded third 30-goal season of career in 2005 ... Led Mammoth and tied for second in NLL with 16 power-play goals in 2005 ... Averages more than three points per game and both goals- and points-per-game averages are higher in the postseason ... Has not missed a game since 1998.
Chris Gill, 5'11', 188 lbs. left-hand forward was picked with the 11th selection by the Shamrox in the Expansion Draft. Gill also leaves the current NLL Champions Colorado Mammoth after one season where he recorded 29 goals, 16 assists for a total of 45 points. Gill was a member of Team Canada in 1998 and 2002 for World Field Lacrosse Championships ... Won NLL championships with Toronto Rock in 1999 and 2000 ... Led Rock in scoring and ranked 15th in NLL with 50 points in 2000 ... Named All-Pro in 2002 after recording career-highs of 53 goals, 37 assists and 90 points for Vancouver Ravens.
• Discuss this story on the National Lacrosse League message board...
National Lacrosse League Stories from August 1, 2006
- Rush franchise two players - Edmonton Rush
- Sting Name Blasdell Franchise Player - Arizona Sting
- Minnesota Swarm Names Duane Jacobs Head Coach - Minnesota Swarm
- Bergey Receives Franchise Player Designation - Philadelphia Wings
- Mammoth names Catton franchise player - Colorado Mammoth
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
