Rush Pedal to the Medal

December 6, 2013 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release


Edmonton, AB---The Edmonton Rush put the pedal to the metal this past weekend, getting the 2014 National Lacrosse League season started with the first stint of training camp sessions.

Putting systems into play was the first priority for the coaching staff, anchored by assistant Jeff McComb and Jimmy Quinlan. That was the goal - getting started on putting into effect what the players would be executing when the NLL season begins Dec. 28. But that goal was just a minor part of whole process. The job was having an entire season's worth of goals listed out so that everyone in black and silver would know what targets were ahead.

New Rush captain Chris Corbeil detailed the plan of attack for the 2014 campaign following the team's first set of training camp sessions.

"We identified a few things as a leadership group and we wanted to address them at a formal level," noted Corbeil. "The first thing was getting off to a quick start, and that's why you've seen such a higher level of intensity in this training camp.

"Secondly, is our play at home. It has to dramatically improve. We were 7-1 last year on the road which is fantastic, but we were 2-6 at home and that's inexcusable. We handled everything so well on the road like back-to-back games and in tough places to play like Rochester and Toronto. Then we come home to our fans and where we should be familiar with things and we don't play well. We owe it to our fans. We have to perform well in front of them."

A quick start and home-turf success will go a long way towards help the Rush reach the other team goals that the leadership group identified.

"We want to have a home playoff game. We been in the playoffs and now we need to have a game at home," added Corbeil.

"And lastly, we want to win the championship. I think we have the group of guys to do that. Anything less than winning the championship, I think we'll consider that a failure. Last year, we had a very dramatic exit, and before that we blew a 6-1 lead in the final. We've gotten close. Now we have to do it."

While Corbeil anchors the leadership group, he's backed by a solid group that includes all-star defenders Kyle Rubisch and Brett Mydske plus top-notch forwards Zack Greer, Jarrett Davis, and Cory Conway.

Greer, who set a Rush team record with four game-winning goals last season, has welcomed the added responsibility but feels the core posse has a very strong supporting cast to rely upon.

"It is great to be a part of that group but your attitude and effort shouldn't change with or without a letter on your jersey," said Greer, Edmonton's second-leading goal-scorer a year ago.

"We have a great group of guys and a lot of leaders in that room. Corbs is a great fit for us as a leader on and off the floor.

"We have to come together as a team and be ready to play each night in order to get wins in this league. The big difference among other things is the playoff structure so there's no time to take nights off."

The second training camp session will be hosted in Six Nations, ON the weekend of December 12-15. The team will take to the floor in an exhibition scrimmage against east divisional rivals Buffalo Bandits, Saturday, December 14 at Noon.

2014 Rush Training Camp

Thursday, December 12-Sunday, December 15

Thursday, December 12

10:00am - 11:30am ILA Six Nations

2:00pm - 3:30pm ILA Six Nations

Friday, December 13

10:00am - 11:30am ILA Six Nations

2:00pm - 3:30pm ILA Six Nations

Saturday, December 14

12:00am - 1:30pm Exhibition Scrimmage Game vs Buffalo Bandits ILA Six Nations (Open to Fans, free charge)

Sunday, December 15

9:00am - 11:00am ILA Six Nations

The Rush 2014 season starts Saturday, December 28 on the road in Denver, CO against divisional rivals Colorado Mammoth.

The Rush season home opener is set for Saturday, January 11, 2014, 7:00 pm on Crystal Glass Field at Rexall Place against Colorado Mammoth.

Rush fans will see Georges St-Pierre, Georges "Rush" St-Pierre, also known as "GSP," a Canadian professional mixed martial artist and world champion as well as a three-time Canadian Athlete of the Year at the season home opener.

"Georges St-Pierre will stand alongside our team, behind the Rush bench, for what promises to be a powerful start to the Rush 2014 season."

Rush fans will have the opportunity to meet GSP at half-time through contesting opportunities during the first half of the game.

Season tickets, mini-pack and single game tickets for the 2014 Rush Season are available by calling the Rush Office at 780 732-RUSH.



National Lacrosse League Stories from December 6, 2013


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