In spite of having one of the top three goaltenders in the NLL and a veteran backup, the Edmonton Rush selected two more goalies in the entry draft last month.
With their second pick, 13th overall, the Rush chose Alberta native Adam Shute. Shute played junior box for the Coquitlam Adanacs where he helped get the team to the postseason after a slow start. Interestingly, he also played attack for the New England College Pilgrims of the NCAA where he scored 68 goals in his senior season.
Shute is a quality prospect. Ranked by In Lacrosse We Trust as the second-best goalie prospect, Shute might push recent acquisition Tyler Carlson for the No. 2 role on the roster, although he’s probably a couple years away from challenging incumbent starter Aaron Bold.
The Rush took another Alberta netminder with their final pick of the draft. With the 53rd pick, general manager Derek Keenan went for Mike DeGirolamo. The 6’5″ goalie has spent time with the Sherwood Park Titans and the Okotoks Raiders. DeGirolamo was one of five Albertans picked by the Rush who have placed a priority on giving local kids a shot at making it to the NLL in an effort to grow the game.
DeGirolamo doesn’t necessarily project to making a lineup of goalies with as much talent as Edmonton has, but it does demonstrate the fact that Keenan is not going to sit back and let the returning players cruise into the upcoming season.
Bold will once again have to earn the starter’s role, Carlson will have to prove that he can be counted on in the backup role after a spotty 2014 season with the Minnesota Swarm, and Shute will be pushing both to show that he has the skill to earn floor time as a rookie.
