The Edmonton Rush had a successful 2013 season thanks in part to young guns Mark Matthews and Jeff Cornwall. At this year’s draft the Rush continued to add pieces to their young team. With their first round pick in this year’s draft the Rush selected Robert Church.
Church made an impact this summer playing for the Burnaby Lakers. Church in only 9 games played this year with the Lakers had 12 goals and 21 assists for 33 points. Church also led the team in playoff scoring with 13 points. Church has proven that he can help power an offense and come up big when his team needs him as he was a big part of the Lakers making the playoffs this year. Church adds to the Rush giving them another weapon to play with Mark Matthews along with adding speed to their transition game. Church was a great selection by the Rush and will be a name to remember for fans as he will have a breakout season this year.
The Rush also picked up Nik Belic as they traded down in the first round. Belic was a loose ball machine with the Swarm in 2012 as he picked up 60 loose balls and forced 15 turnovers. Belic will add to the Rush’s defense hopefully giving them more stability on the back end and support in front of Aaron Bold.
The Rush had two picks in the second round and drafted Riley Loewen and Adrian Sorichetti. Loewen another product of the WLA played for the Maple Ridge Burrards this summer. Loewen put up 90 points in his final season at Limestone College and put up 23 goals and 14 assists for 37 points this with the Burrards this season. Loewen is another great addition to the Edmonton’s offense as he add yet another dimension to their offensive game and if given the ball can make a team pay.
Sorichetti played for Hofstra University. With Hofstra Sorichetti put up 27 points and will be a good depth player for the Rush. Expect Sorichetti to fight for playing time but if he can create offensive opportunities he could see himself moving up the depth chart.
The Rush would draft Brett Mydske in the third round Mydske will be expected to help solidify the Edmonton defense. Mydske was the top defender in 2012 in the BC junior league and has the talent to be one of the best defenders in the NLL. The Rush would add another defenseman with their sixth and final pick as they added some grit in the form of Ben Snider.
Overall this was a very successful draft for the Edmonton Rush as they were able to add two dynamic offensive pieces to compliment their already young offensive core led by Mark Matthews. The Rush also added defensive depth to help out in front of Aaron Bold which should make Bold’s life easier as he will not be pelted by shot this year. Watch out for the Rush this season as all the pieces are coming together for the team.
