Rush Rookie Loewen in the Mix Tonight
December 28, 2013 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
Edmonton, AB--- Riley Loewen may be a first-year pro, but it didn't take the rookie long to figure out what the strength of the Edmonton Rush is heading into the 2014 National Lacrosse League season.
"I think the greatest strength for the Rush this year is the mix of experienced guys and young guys," said Loewen.
"A lot of the guys on the team have been very successful the last few seasons in the playoffs with the Rush, and mixing that with some youth will keep pushing the veterans and make the team very competitive. I think this will help take us where we want to go."
Where the Rush want to go is the Champion's Cup final - where they were two seasons ago only to let a big lead slip away and wind up falling to the Rochester Knighthawks. The Rush's quest in 2013 ended early with a defeat against Washington in the West Division Semifinal.
It was a setback that remains bitter to the entire team, even the new players like Loewen, the first of two picks the Rush made in the second-round of last fall's entry draft. The Limestone College product joins fellow second-rounder Adrian Sorichetti and first-round selection Robert Church as first-year pros with the Rush heading into 2014.
"There are a lot of similarities to being a rookie pro and a freshman in college," noted Loewen. "They're both new to the team and have to earn their spot on the roster. Both have to learn the systems of the offense and defense which can be difficult. Also they both have to do their rookie duties for the team."
Loewen, Church, and Sorichetti could all be in the lineup when the Rush's season-debut takes place on tonight, Saturday, December 28 as Edmonton visits the Colorado Mammoth in Denver.
One season ago, the Rush's rookie crop yielded NLL Rookie of the Year Mark Matthews along with playmaker Curtis Knight. After years of trading away high-end draft picks, the Rush have made it a point to groom their own talent, and that process is paying off. It's never an easy process making the jump from junior or college to the pro ranks, and it became particularly more challenging this season with the reduced roster size and expanded schedule.
But all things considered, Loewen can't help but be excited to make his debut in the black and silver.
"I definitely had nerves about making the team as it's a tough league to make and with the smaller rosters this year, it made it even tougher," said Loewen, a six-foot-two, 200-pound forward from Burnaby, B.C.
"I knew all I could control was how well and how hard I could play and just tried to focus on that. I think my skill, hard work, and smarts helped me make the team. I just tried to stand out in a positive way by working as hard as I could."
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. (GSP and 2014 Season media accreditation available at www.edmontonrush.com).
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." states Bruce Urban, Owner.
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 28, 2013
- Mammoth's Comeback Falls Short in Season-opening Loss to Rush - Colorado Mammoth
- Minnesota Swarm Drop 2014 Season Opener 8-6 to Rochester - Minnesota Swarm
- Knighthawks Sting Swarm in Opener - Rochester Knighthawks
- Philadelphia Wings Win In Convincing Fashion In Buffalo Saturday Night - Philadelphia Wings
- Burton Re-Signs for Two Seasons - Rochester Knighthawks
- Rush Rookie Loewen in the Mix Tonight - Edmonton Rush
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