As the season approaches, we have a great opportunity to look at a few other players, aside from Aaron Bold, who have the ability to become breakout players in 2016 for the Saskatchewan Rush. This roster no doubt is loaded with talent, so it should come as no surprise that potential is there. But who will step to the foreground and help carry this team in 2016?
Let’s start with a defensive player whose numbers have been climbing each and every year and may not get the type of coverage or credit he deserves: John Lintz. Last year Lintz had one goal and four assists, matching his career high in goals and besting his assist total; however not only were his offensive numbers up but so were many other statistical categories. Lintz had 70 Loose Balls and 28 Caused Turnovers, both of which were career highs for him. During the playoffs he also recorded another 23 Loose Balls, demonstrating that he has the toughness and grit to get in there and go for the ball when free. I predict another increase in career offensive numbers and will even go out on a limb to say that Lintz will have 100 Loose Balls by seasons’ end.
On the offense, a standout player that may not have seen a ton of playing time last year, but during his time on the floor put up decent numbers is Matthew Dinsdale. Dinsdale, in five games last year, scored nine goals and nine assists while adding another two goals and 11 assists in the playoff run culminating in the championship for the Rush. It appears that he finally discovered his role on the team and was able to translate that into offensive numbers. I believe that this trend that will continue this year.
The third standout player may not seem like a breakout player, but I suspect he is capable of more than what we have previously seen from him, and that is Curtis Knight. Remember a few things; nothing motivates a player to work harder, train longer and make up for lost time like missing an entire season due to injury, especially one that sees your team take a championship in the process. In 2014, the last season Knight played, he recorded 35 goals, 37 assists for 72 points, and 74 loose balls as well. I predict he will come back with even more power and score career highs in both goals and assists. Furthermore, I predict he will attain 43 goals and 48 assists as well as a nomination for the MVP award at seasons end.
This is going to be a great season of lacrosse in Saskatchewan and this team is sure to provide a captivating ride.
