Winning Look for 2009
Published on January 8, 2009 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
Edmonton, AB-Today Captain Chris McElroy and forward Andy Secore unveiled the new jersey for the Edmonton Rush. The new look brings a new energy to a team that has many new faces in the line-up this year.
"When reviewing the season last year we had comments on improving the look of our jerseys from fans and players, so it was an easy decision to design a new look." states President Duane Vienneau "This new jersey has more silver colouring and brings the visual of our secondary logo."
The Edmonton Rush launch their 2009 National Lacrosse League season Saturday night with a clash against the arch-rival Calgary Roughnecks at the Pengrowth Saddledome.
This is the first of three meetings in the NLL's Battle of Alberta this season with the Rush hosting the next two encounters both at Rexall Place on March 13 and April 3.
Last season the Rush finished the year with a disappointing 4-12 record - a season hampered in large part by an 0-6 start which resulted in a wholesale change of the coaching staff. Under new GM/Head Coach Bob Hamley, the Rush began to turn things around midway through the year and those changes continued well into the off-season with Hamley making numerous alterations to the Rush roster.
The result of Hamley's wheeling and dealing gives the Rush a vastly revamped lineup for the '09 campaign but one with plenty of promise and higher expectations. Several of Hamley's moves were designed to fire up the Rush's offence and the team now has several go-to players on the attack including 2008 NLL All-Star Andy Secore, last season's leading scorer Mike Hominuck, a returning Jason Wulder, Dan Teat, and hometown favourite Jimmy Quinlan. The Rush should also get a good boost from the team's two first-round picks in the 2008 NLL Entry Draft - Jamie Floris and Ryan Campbell.
The Rush have also made several changes on the defensive side of things including a complete overhaul of the goaltending with former league MVP and onetime Roughneck Steve Dietrich coming on board along with a pair of free-agent acquisitions - Chris Levis and Brandon Atherton. The defence is anchored by Rory Glaves, Captain Chris McElroy, Ian Hawksbee and that trio will be capably aided by the likes of Chris Seller and Chris McKay. The Rush have also bolstered the troops with the addition of former Roughnecks enforcer Ryan McNish.
Head-to-Head History
The Rush and Roughnecks have met 10 times in regular-season play during their three years of co-existence with Calgary holding a 7-3 lead in the all-time series. The Roughnecks won three of four meetings in the Rush's inaugural season of 2006 though the Rush captured their only victory of the year with a last-second goal at the Saddledome. Calgary has won two of three meetings in each of the past two seasons although both of the Rush's wins came on the Roughnecks' home floor.
Statistically Speaking
Mike Hominuck finished on top of the Rush scoring derby in 2008 with 54 points, one ahead of Jimmy Quinlan and two up on Dan Teat. Quinlan led the way with 22 goals, one up on Hominuck and the departed Dan Stroup, while Teat finished with a team-leading 35 assists.
From the 2008 season, the Rush finished with 1,053 loose balls, led by Ian Hawksbee who set a new team record with 123.
With more offensive firepower brought in during the off-season, the Rush will hope to improve on the power play in '09 as the club finished second-last in the NLL a year ago at just 34.6% (27 goals on 78 opportunities). Better goaltending and some new faces on defence should help the Rush's penalty-killing which struggled last year, finishing with a league-worst 44.1% (38 goals against in 68 opportunities). Edmonton also ended up with a league-low two shorthanded goals.
Fans can watch the game live online and free of charge via the NLL Network at NLL.com
National Lacrosse League Stories from January 8, 2009
- Winning Look for 2009 - Edmonton Rush
- Toronto Rock Host Buffalo Bandits in Home Opener this Weekend - Toronto Rock
- Knighthawks forward Joe Walters named fifth best rookie in NLL by NLL Insider - Rochester Knighthawks
- Grant's Blog #6 - Comeback, preview, and radio debut - Rochester Knighthawks
- Bandits to Air on WWWS AM 1400 Saturday - Buffalo Bandits
- Bandits Make 300 Level Tickets Available For Purchase - Buffalo Bandits
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