Rush round up Accursi from Rochester
Published on July 24, 2007 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
In another bold off-season move to acquire more talent, Edmonton Rush GM/Head Coach Paul Day has traded the club's 2009 first-round draft pick to the Rochester Knighthawks for forward Mike Accursi.
With last week's acquisition of Ben Prepchuk from the Colorado Mammoth and the addition of Accursi, who ranks among the league's top 15 all-time leading goal scorers, the Rush have significantly bolstered their offensive punch.
"This is the most exciting trade I've ever made," said Day, who has now traded for Accursi three times. Day made a deal to acquire Accursi in junior and then later in the NLL in a 2005 swap with Minnesota.
"Mike is exactly the type of guy we needed," added Day. "He's got speed and he can play all three spots up front (crease, top and shooter) and even take faceoffs. Plus Mike is a great leader and a real workhorse in practice and in games. He is going to fit in nicely with us and really lead this team."
Accursi, too, is excited about making the move to the Rush.
"Everybody I've talked to can't say enough about the Edmonton fans and the city," said Accursi.
Accursi has played 10 years in the NLL and the 32-year-old has produced seven 20-plus goal seasons and a pair of 30-plus goal seasons. In 144 career NLL games, the Pelham, Ont., native has 253 goals and 275 assists for 528 points.
This past season he set a career-high with 77 points (26 goals and 51 assists) during the regular season. Included in his production were 12 goals and 22 assists on the power play.
In the playoffs, he led all players with 11 goals including three in the Champion's Cup final as Rochester defeated Arizona 13-11.
Accursi's best goal-scoring season came in 2003 when he notched 35 for the Buffalo Bandits.
"I've always been a good producer offensively and I love playing in big games," said Accursi. "I'd like to bring a little extra veteran presence and I take pride in my game so hopefully both of those things will help us turn some of those tight games that we've lost in the past to the plus side."
A high school teacher in the Niagara Catholic District School Board, Accursi and his wife Julie have a three-year-old son Carter and they are expecting twin girls in the next week.
The Rush will host the 2008 NLL All-Star Game this year. Full details will be available once the 2008 season schedule is announced.
National Lacrosse League Stories from July 24, 2007
- Wings Announce Protected List For Expansion Draft - Philadelphia Wings
- Knighthawks Deal Accursi To Edmonton For First-Round Pick - Rochester Knighthawks
- NLL Announces Blockbuster Trade - NLL
- Bandits Acquire Sean Greenhalgh From Philadelphia - Buffalo Bandits
- Wings Acquire Taylor Wray and Jason Crosbie In Three-Way Trade - Philadelphia Wings
- Rush round up Accursi from Rochester - Edmonton Rush
- Expansion Draft to be held on July 31st - NLL
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