Let’s consider for a moment that the Edmonton Rush haven’t had Curtis Knight all season. They have still managed to advance to the Champion’s Cup despite being without who was one of their best scorers last season.
Now, the Rush are hosting game two of the NLL Champion’s Cup tomorrow night. They have been led by Mark Matthews, the second leading scorer in the regular season, and goaltender Aaron Bold, whom they acquired from the Rochester Knighthawks.
The Rush are built interestingly. They have plenty of veterans via trade, but they’ve also used the draft very well to develop their roster. They don’t have many free agent acquisitions, which is reasonable, considering the team’s financial woes.
Offense
Riley Loewen- Draft
The 11th overall pick in the 2013 NLL entry draft. The Rush got this pick from the Minnesota Swarm as a part of a deal that sent Shawn Williams to Minnesota. The Swarm would later trade Williams to Buffalo.
Robert Church- Draft
The 5th overall pick in the 2013 NLL entry draft. They acquired the pick from the Minnesota Swarm as a part of the deal that sent the fourth overall pick to Minnesota (which they used to select Cam Flint, whom they had to trade to Colorado later on). The Rush also acquired defenseman Nik Billic in this trade.
Jarrett Davis- Trade
Acquired from the Buffalo Bandits as a part of the Aaron Wilson trade in 2013 in exchange for a second round selection.
Tyler Melnyk- Draft
The second round pick of the Rush in the 2014 draft, going 19th overall. This was a compensation awarded by the NLL due to losing UFA to the Philadelphia Wings in the off season.
Mark Matthews- Draft
Matthews has become the face of the Rush and arguably the best player in their history. He was the first overall selection in the 2012 NLL draft via a trade with the Washington Stealth. They acquired the pick from the Stealth as a part of the trade that sent Paul Rabil to Edmonton (for, like, one day) and the Stealth added Athan Iannucci.
Matthew Dinsdale- Trade
Was acquired from the Calgary Roughnecks at the 2015 NLL trade deadline.
Zack Greer- Trade
Acquired from the Minnesota Swarm in exchange for a first round pick in 2013. The trade was in 2011.
Ben McIntosh- Draft
The first overall pick in the 2014 NLL entry draft. The Rush acquired this pick, their second first overall selection in two years, from the Minnesota Swarm in exchange for Brodie MacDonald and the third overall pick. Edmonton also acquired goaltender Tyler Carlson.
Defense
Brett Mydske- Draft
The Rush’s third round pick in the 2009 NLL entry draft. He was selected with the 25th overall selection.
Kyle Rubisch- Dispersal Draft
Acquired via the Boston Blazers dispersal draft. He was the second overall selection of the draft.
John Lintz- FA
Signed with Edmonton from Calgary after his rookie 2009 season.
Jeff Cornwall- Trade
Acquired from the Buffalo Bandits in exchange for two second round picks.
Chris Corbiel- Trade
Acquired from the Buffalo Bandits in exchange for a first round pick, the ninth overall.
Ryan Dilks- Dispersal Draft
Acquired via the Boston Blazers dispersal draft in 2011. He was Edmonton’s second round selection in this draft, going 11th overall.
Matt MacGrotty- Draft
The fourth round pick of the Rush in the 2014 NLL entry draft, the 35th overall pick. The Rush acquired this pick from the Minnesota Swarm in exchange for Dane Stevens.
Transition
John LaFontaine- Draft
The third round pick of the Rush in the 2010 NLL entry draft. He was the 28th selection overall.
Adrian Sorichetti- Draft
The 13th overall pick in the 2013 NLL entry draft. They received this pick from the Buffalo Bandits when they sent Aaron Wilson to Buffalo. They also acquired Jeremy Thompson via this trade.
Jeremy Thompson- Trade
The Rush acquired Thompson from the Buffalo Bandits in 2013. They traded Aaron Wilson to the Bandits in exchange for Thompson and a second round pick, which became Adrian Sorichetti.
Goaltending
Tyler Carlson- Trade
Traded from the Minnesota Swarm to Edmonton in the same trade that brought Edmonton the selection to draft Ben McIntosh. The third overall pick and goaltender Brodie MacDonald were shipped to Minnesota as a part of he trade.
Aaron Bold- Trade
Acquired from the Rochester Knighthawks as a part of the trade that sent Shawn Williams to Edmonton as well. In exchange the Rush sent Alex Kedoh Hil, Andy Secore, and Ryan Cousins to Rochester.
