Rush sign unrestricted free-agent Bruce Alexander
November 20, 2009 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
Edmonton, AB--The Edmonton Rush have added size and experience to their lineup for the 2010 National Lacrosse League season with the signing of unrestricted free-agent defenceman Bruce Alexander.
At six-foot-five and 250 pounds, the 10-year pro gives the Rush some much-needed physical presence on the back end to match up against the West Division's hulking forwards.
"Signing Bruce is a big step towards us building a winning team, and it is another indication of the level of commitment our ownership has," noted Rush GM/Head Coach Derek Keenan.
"Bruce is exactly the type of player we were looking for. In addition to his size and strength, he brings us tremendous leadership on the floor and in the locker room."
In 129 regular-season game, Alexander has 73 goals and 167 assists for 240 points along with 342 loose balls. The 36-year-old product of Victoria, B.C., spent the last four seasons in Portland, and prior to joining the LumberJax he played in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Ottawa, and Syracuse.
Rush Sign Significant Talents
In addition to inking Alexander to a contract, Rush GM/Head Coach Derek Keenan was also busy signing a number of key contributors including one of the last remaining original Rush figures, home-town product Jimmy Quinlan.
Quinlan, who re-signed with a new two-year pact, has scored 20-plus goals in three of his four seasons with the Rush and is one of the franchise's all-time leading scorers with 178 points in 63 games.
"Not only has Jimmy been a quality performer for us, he has been instrumental in bringing the team to the forefront in the community with his passion for teaching the game of lacrosse," said Keenan.
Ryan Campbell, a Rush first-round pick in 2008, was also re-signed along with recently acquired forward Dean Hill who was part of the trade that brought Gavin Prout from Rochester to Edmonton.
Also signed to contracts for the upcoming season are 2009 draft picks Scott Tinning, Brett Mydske, Geoff McNulty, and Shane Lopatynski.
Tinning was the Rush's first-round pick (12th overall) from the Ontario Junior League's Brampton Excelsiors where he notched 31 goals and 42 assists for 73 points during the regular season.
Brett Mydske was last season's B.C. Junior âA' League Defensive Player of the Year while McNulty was a top playmaker for the St. Catharines Athletics in the Ontario Junior âA' League. Lopatynski was a fifth-round pick from the Edmonton Eclipse of the Alberta Junior âA' League.
The Rush opens the regular season on the road against the Washington Stealth on January 15 and the next day against the Colorado Mammoth at Pepsi Center on Saturday, January 16. The Rush opens the home regular season on Saturday, January 23 against the Buffalo Bandits at Rexall Place. Training Camp opens December 5 at Leduc Recreation Centre.
National Lacrosse League Stories from November 20, 2009
- Rush sign unrestricted free-agent Bruce Alexander - Edmonton Rush
- Knighthawks will have their "Olympic Moment" - Rochester Knighthawks
- The Boston Blazers Kick Off 2010 Campaign With Open Tryouts - Boston Blazers
- Bandits 2010 individual game tickets to go on sale November 30 - Buffalo Bandits
- Bandits to hold open practice - Buffalo Bandits
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