Rush Rookie Goaltender Macdonald a Huge Deal

Published on March 15, 2012 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release


Edmonton, AB---Think Big. That's the presence netminder Brodie MacDonald provides between the pipes for the Edmonton Rush.

The hulking, six-foot-seven, 265-pound rookie goalkeeper from Vernon, B.C., not only uses his massive frame to his advantage, but also played a huge role in Langley Thunder's colossal title run in the Western Lacrosse Association last summer and a shocking appearance in the 2011 Mann Cup final.

At just 22-years-old, the goaltender has already shown championship pedigree as the upstart Thunder rode MacDonald's stellar play to capture the WLA title and in the previous season MacDonald was the backup goalie for Minto Cup winners Coquitlam Adanacs.

"His performance in junior and in last summer taking that young Langley team all the way to the Mann Cup," said Rush head coach and GM Derek Keenan. "He's probably the best young goalie prospect in the game right now. He's a really good prospect with all the size and all the abilities."

MacDonald was also part of a huge off-season deal between Edmonton and Philadelphia Wings -- acquired by the Rush as part of the Brodie Merrill transaction -- and the bulky netminder turned that opportunity into backing up Rush starter Aaron Bold for the 2012 campaign and grabbing one of the less-than-20 goaltender positions available in the National Lacrosse League.

His carpet time in Edmonton so far is limited because of the exceptional play of Bold, however MacDonald got some relief work Mar. 10 in Calgary and saw over 20 minutes of action in the 16-9 Battle of Alberta loss to the Roughnecks.

"I was glad to get the cobwebs out, but I was a little bit shaky in my first NLL action," said MacDonald of his debut. "I started to find a groove as it went on, but it wasn't the best showing I would have liked."

"Aaron's been so good that it's been hard to get him (MacDonald) in," Keenan said. "Those were his first minutes all year. He was good, but he made some mistakes, too."

MacDonald is content with his role in Edmonton as the 19th overall selection at the 2010 NLL Draft hones his craft and gets adjusted to the professional box league and the differences from the senior WLA game including larger net size, smaller sticks and equipment restrictions in the NLL.

"Especially in the NLL, you have to bide your time," said MacDonald. "Take what you can and I'm in no rush. I'm just learning what I can and I'm happy backing up Bold."

And there's plenty to like in MacDonald's game, according to the Rush bench boss, noting his size, strength and mobility.

"For a big guy, he's very mobile," Keenan said. "He covers a lot of net, but he also moves real well. He's got quick feet and quick arms. He's got big feet, too and he's got to use them to his advantage as well."

"For sure," MacDonald said on using his size and athletic advantage. "As opposed to some other big goaltenders, I move faster and I'm more of a mix of position and reaction type.

"In junior I was big, but in minor I was pretty average in size. I think that's why I've learned to move so well before I got big. I had to learn to play goal, move and use my angles then and not just rely on my size," added MacDonald, who praised Burnaby junior A coach Kevin Hill for his development in the position.

"He's got a lot to learn as he's still pretty green in the NLL," added Keenan. "There's a big learning curve, but he's working hard at it and he really wants it bad."

Edmonton takes on the Philadelphia Wings Saturday, March 17 at Wells Fargo Center before returning to Rexall Place for a two-game homestand starting Saturday, March 24 against the Washington Stealth.

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