This time last year, the Edmonton Rush were chomping at the bit to select consensus first overall pick and eventual NLL Rookie of the Year Mark Matthews. While the Rush will not be as lucky this year, Head Coach and General Manager Derek Keenan will look to add some depth to the roster at the upcoming 2013 NLL Entry Draft.
Apart from selections in the fifth and sixth round, Edmonton’s draft lineup this year is a tad irregular due to trades. The Rush will start things off by selecting fourth overall, a pick acquired from Philadelphia in the Brodie Merrill trade. The team’s two second round selections and lone third round selection were also acquired via trades, while their fourth round selection was shipped to Philadelphia.
Edmonton’s defense includes stalwarts such as Brett Mysdyke, Jarret Toll and back to back NLL Defensive Player of the Year Kyle Rubisch. The back end will need little adjusting after allowing just 170 goals against last season, the lowest in the Western Division and second lowest league wide, bested only by the Rochester Knighthawks (165). Any defensive oriented selections taken in the draft will have to be skilled in transition, similar to Jeremy Thompson, Chris Corbeil or Jeff Cornwall.
If last year’s draft is any indication, the Rush can be confident in their draftees’ ability to make an immediate impact offensively. Mark Matthews led the team in goals last season and finished second in team points, while fellow rookie Curtis Knight rounded out the top five in team scoring with 46 points.
Keenan is also Head Coach of the reigning Minto Cup champion Whitby Warriors Jr. A club and has shown a tendency to draft current or ex-Warriors in the draft. John LaFontaine, Mark Matthews, Curtis Knight and Mike Cudmore are all current Rush players who have played under Keenan in Whitby. Ex-Warriors eligible in this year’s draft include Zach Palmer, Mitch Wilde and Adrian Sorichetti.
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