Edmonton, AB- There are a lot of words that could be used to describe the new-look Edmonton Rush that will hit the NLL floor running in 2008.
But perhaps Chris McElroy, one of the original members of the Rush, put it best by selecting the word deeper.
"I think that's the main thing," said McElroy, last season's Transition Player of the Year for the Rush.
And with that much deeper roster come greater expectations. The Rush have always planned big. In 2006, the hope was that the team would make the playoffs as an expansion entry. It didn't pan out, but in 2007 more realistic hopes were set and the Rush were leaps and bounds beyond what they accomplished in Year 1. Still the team fell a bit short, missing the playoffs in large part to losses in close games and missed opportunities for success on their home floor.
Now entering the '08 campaign, hope has been exchanged for strong belief. The Rush believe they are a playoff-ready team even in what will most certainly be a very competitive West Division.
"Playoffs for sure are our No. 1 goal," said McElroy, who is one of only seven players remaining from the Rush's inaugural game.
"Sure we want to win the championship but we're focused first on jelling and getting into the playoffs. We have the potential to be a team that really makes some noise this year, but we have to take things one step at a time. Just by making the playoffs, you can make anything happen in a one-game knockout situation but first you have to make it to the playoffs. Anything less than that and we'll be very disappointed."
McElroy, who had 14 points in 16 games last season, has seen everything that has gone on with the Rush over three years. There's been good and bad but the team has grown. Now in 2008, the best of the Rush's young hopefuls are still around and now they're backed by some significant veterans. It's a balanced lineup that on paper should be able to compete with and beat any NLL foe.
"I really like the look of this team," said McElroy. "We're definitely fast, maybe the fastest team in the league, and we're faster up front than we were last year. Our transition should be the best it's ever been and we've got very solid goaltending.
"I think it's going to be a great year and a very exciting year for the fans to watch us."
It was a busy summer for Rush GM/Head Coach Paul Day as he wheeled and dealed more than any of his counterparts around the league. Along with the trades there were free-agent signings, an expansion draft and a dispersal draft. There are plenty of new faces but the moves made are more positive than they appear if you look beyond the stats.
"Every one of the guys he brought in is a talented player but they're also quality people," noted McElroy. "That's a key thing. We have the potential to be a great team. We want to become a close-knit group in time for that first game against Colorado."
For the two years of the franchise, whoever stood between the pipes had to stand on his head in order for the Rush to have a chance to win. With the moves made up front, scoring won't be quite at such a premium meaning the Rush can do without miraculous goaltending. But Curtis Palidwor and newcomer Matt Disher are both more than capable of stealing games and former top draft pick Kurtis Wagar is also back and looking to push the two veterans for playing time.
The defence has never looked better for the Rush. Two key acquisitions were made just before training camp as Ian Hawksbee was brought in from San Jose and Mike Grimes arrived from Arizona. And with resident stalwart Rory Glaves and the rest of the cast in place, the back end is a definite strength. That group will be complemented by a dynamic transition pack that includes McElroy, Jimmy Quinlan, Chris Seller, Darren Hillier and Cory Melville.
Up front the Rush are drastically different from a year ago as the bulk of the off-season changes were made to bolster the offence. The Rush's scoring was up last year (160 goals compared to 150 in 2006) but the team ran into problems when top guns Chris Gill and Dan Stroup were keyed upon by the opposition defence. Gill and Stroup were the only two players to score more than 25 goals in '07 but they should have some good company in '08.
Mike Accursi is a legitimate threat each time he touches the ball, having notched seven 20-plus goal seasons and two 30-plus goal seasons during his 10-year career. Ben Prepchuk will be counted on for lots of scoring punch and he's eager to take on more of a role having been back-burnered by Colorado. Health bodies will also help as A.J. Shannon will be around for a full season and Randy Daly is back after notching 41 points despite missing the final four games.
And as McElroy pointed out, the Rush have filled a void in the grit and intensity department by bringing in Kyle Goundry, an ex-assistant captain with the Calgary Roughnecks.
With all the moves made during the off-season, here's a recap of who's in and who's out of the Rush lineup:
New Faces: Mike Accursi (traded from Rochester); Matt Disher (traded from Minnesota); Kyle Goundrey (free agent from Calgary); Mike Grimes (traded from Minnesota); Ian Hawksbee (traded from San Jose); Kevin Olson (free agent); Ben Prepchuk (traded from Colorado); Chris Seller (dispersal draft from Arizona).
Welcome Aboard: Steve Hutchins ('07 first-round draft pick); Kris Hartzell ('06 fifth-round draft pick); Ryan Polny ('07 free-agent tryout); Shaun Wilhelm ('07 free-agent tryout).
Say Goodbye: Jason Wulder (traded to Colorado); Jamey Bowen (retired); Ryan O'Connor (traded to Boston); Dan Finck (traded to Boston); Jamie Roy (released); Ted Jenner (released); Kevin Howard (released); Pat Campbell (expansion draft to Boston); Cam Bergman (work commitments); Daryl Welsh (released).
Training Camp Notes: GM/Head Coach Paul Day came away happy from the Rush's first training camps weekend.
"The fitness level of the players was great and the tempo was excellent," said Day. "We will spend the next month working on chemistry."
The second training camp goes this weekend at the Tri-Leisure Centre in Spruce Grove ... Veterans Dan Stroup and Chris Gill will be on the floor and they'll be joined by one of the Rush's key off-season acquisitions Mike Accursi ... Faceoff man Mac Allen will be out for the season after breaking his ankle during the Mann Cup.
Watch for: Rush all-time leading scorer Jimmy Quinlan to be used in a transition role this season thanks to the off-season additions up front. His speed, scoring ability and tenacious demeanour will make him valuable at both ends of the floor.
The Rush continue training camp this weekend in preparation for its 3rd season in the NLL at the Trans Alta Tri-Leisure Centre in Spruce Grove. Please see below for times:
Friday, December 7, 2007
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Training Camp Session #1 - North Field
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Training Camp Session #2 - South Field
Saturday, December 8, 2007
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Training Camp Session #1 - North Field
9:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Training Camp Session #2 - South Field
Sunday, December 9, 2007
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon Training Camp Session #3 - North Field
2008 season tickets are now on sale call (780) 732-RUSH or check the Rush website
Edmonton Rush Lacrosse Club for details.
National Lacrosse League Press Release 2007
Hamley reunited with McMahon in Colorado
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