Rush Predications for 2008

January 10, 2008 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release


Edmonton, AB----With the Edmonton Rush set to open their season on the road this Saturday against the always-tough Colorado Mammoth, it's the perfect time for a little look-ahead with some predictions for the 2008 season.

Game time 7:00 p.m. at Pepsi Center, Denver Colorado, broadcast live on Shaw Cable, Channel 10.

Most Valuable Player

For the past two seasons, the Rush's top player has been a goaltender. In 2006, crowd favourite Pat Campbell took the honour and last season, Curtis Palidwor stole the show enough times to edge out leading scorer Chris Gill in a close vote.

In '08, however, a shooter will finally get his due and it will be ... Chris Gill. The veteran was terrific in his first season with the Rush setting franchise highs and team records all over the place while also reaching the prestigious 300-goal plateau. One of his most memorable games last season was when the Rush won on the road again in Calgary with Gill achieving the first "sock trick" (six-goal game) in Rush history.

There's no telling whether Gill has another sock trick in him or not for 2008, but it's a good bet that he'll lead the team in scoring for a second straight year. He racked up 62 points last season with a rather limited cast around him and now this season the Rush offence not only has returnees like Dan Stroup and Jimmy Quinlan, it's been bolstered by newcomers Mike Accursi, Kyle Goundrey and Ben Prepchuk. That's bound to mean more goals in general and certainly more production on the power play which bodes well for Gill's point totals.

Top Scorer

Gill is the man here, but he won't be alone among Rush players who have some lofty totals - perhaps even some career years.

Accursi is coming off a banner playoff performance for Rochester last spring and he could certainly turn those post-season numbers into something special for the Rush during the regular season. Stroup had 51 points a year ago and he, like Gill, will benefit from a spread-out offence that will take the heat of one or two top guns.

Having been a second-option too often in Colorado, watch for Prepchuk to approach the numbers he'd put early on with the Mammoth and even back to the glory days with Calgary. He's definitely proven to be a force on the Rexall Place floor while he was with Colorado and now having it as his home floor could yield big things.

And while they won't likely be right at the top of the scoring leaders, the balanced offence will get a good charge out of Randy Daly and A.J. Shannon - two players who had strong showings last season despite long-term injuries.

Top Defenceman

Former captain Andrew Turner took the award in both the previous two seasons, so it will obviously be a new face taking home the hardware this year.

The winner in 2008 will take a big step to the forefront of the Rush roster having been overshadowed for some time by Turner's presence. Coming off his best year, former NLL All-Rookie Team member Rory Glaves will immerge as the Rush's top rearguard. In fact, in very close voting last season, Turner barely squeaked past Glaves, who ended up claiming the very deserving Unsung Hero Award.

Glaves is a steadying influence who doesn't take needless penalties, finishes his checks and will jump into the offensive play when the time is right.

The hole left by Turner's absence won't be nearly as big if Glaves continues to progress. It's quite possible even that Glaves could make this the year a truly breakout season and get himself into the hunt for not only an All-Star Game appearance but also get in the running for the NLL's Top Defenceman Award.

Top Transition Player

This could very well be the most difficult award to hand out consider the cast of characters the Rush have in this area.

Leading off there's last year's winner and new team captain, Chris McElroy, whose game hit a new high in '07 and is bound to get only better in 2008. He's tenacious on defence and has the gifts to lead the charge up the floor. If he finishes a few more times than he did last season, he'll easily eclipse his career high of eight goals.

Then there's a strong newcomer cast led by Ian Hawksbee. All he did a year ago was lead San Jose and finished 10th in the league in loose balls. And also joining up for the Rush this season is Chris Seller who should provide some punch at both ends of the floor.

Unsung Hero Award

This is one of the best honours to receive as it goes to a player who may not lead the team in any particular statistical category but he contributes on a regular - and often timely - basis.

He will also likely be someone who dishes out a hit, maybe drops the gloves a time or two, makes a big play coming back in his own end, and even provide a glimmer of leadership.

Glaves took the award last season for being a rock-steady defenceman. In 2008, there are several strong candidates but the early-season nod will go to Randy Daly.

Daly struck for a pair of game-winning goals in 2007, including the deciding marker in the biggest victory in franchise history when he found the back of the net in the dying seconds against Philadelphia for the club's first home-floor win. If Daly can stay healthy, he's a valuable second-tier contributor on offence. And if anyone remembers the elbow-drop he laid out an opponent with last season, it's clear he doesn't back away from the rough going.

Community Service Award

The Rush have had to work hard to gain their place as the No. 3 pro sports team in town and in large part that effort has come from getting out into the community.

Many players have taken the time to attend charity events of all shapes and sizes and numerous players have spent hours teaching the skills of the game they love to youngsters in school.

Last year the award was shared by Jimmy Quinlan and the now-retired Jamey Bowen - both local products who taught lacrosse at the St. Francis Xavier Academy and also spent many hours supporting local charities.

This award may not come with the glitz that MVP or Top Scorer does but it's hard not to salute someone who gives the most they can of themselves.

The Rush will return home on Saturday, January 19 for their Season Home Opener in Rexall Place at 7:30 p.m. against the Toronto Rock. Continuing with providing fans with an exciting atmosphere, the half-time entertainment is Tupelo Honey. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster , 451-8000.



National Lacrosse League Stories from January 10, 2008


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