The Edmonton Rush announced today a trade which sends forward Corey Small to the Vancouver Stealth in exchange for first-round picks in the 2016 and 2019 NLL Entry Drafts. (Pending league approval)
“A very difficult trade for us to make, Corey was the first player I drafted when I came to Edmonton in 2009. He’s been a very good, committed and passionate player for us from day one and he’s an even better person. I will miss him a lot. ” states GM/Head Coach Derek Keenan.
Small was the Rush’s first-round selection (ninth overall) in the 2009 NLL Draft out of the University of Albany, and quickly established himself as one of team’s top offensive threats. In 2011, Small led the Rush in scoring, amassing 63 points including a career-high 40 assists.
In 2013, Small set career-highs in goals (28) and points (64), and he ends his tenure with the Rush as one of the club’s all-time leading point-producers. He leaves the Rush with 218 regular-season points, one behind Jimmy Quinlan for second place, as well as fourth in goals (88) and second in assists (127).
Small also left his mark in the Rush record book. Alongside Mark Matthews and Shawn Williams, Small co-holds the team record for points in a single regular-season game with nine, and, with Ryan Ward, he co-holds the team record for goals in a single playoff game with five.
After missing all of the 2014 NLL season due to a knee injury, Small returned to the Rush this year, and had notched one goal and three assists in Edmonton’s first two games.
“The Edmonton Rush would like to thank Corey for the outstanding contribution he has made to the team over the past 6 years.” continues Keenan
“The trade gives Corey an opportunity to play closer to his home in Victoria and also the opportunity for our team to get closer to the line-up mix we used last season.”
The Rush have activated forward Tyler Melnyk from practice roster to the 20-man roster. Melnyk was acquired in the 2014 NLL Entry Draft in September. Edmonton was awarded a compensatory pick for losing free agent Ryan Ward prior to the start of the 2014 season, and with the No. 19 pick, the Rush picked up Calgary native Tyler Melnyk. The 6-foot 195-pound forward scored a whopping 96 points in the 2013 Senior B and President’s Cup playoffs, earning him a promotion to the WLA where he put up 21 goals and 13 assists for the Langley Thunder. Melnyk completed his NCAA play with Marquette University, setting single-season school records for goals (36) and assists (15) in his senior year. He is the first Marquette player to be drafted in the NLL and the first Golden Eagle named to an All-American team (Honorable Mention).
