It’s training camp time in the NLL. That means it is time for teams to get down and dirty and make the cuts they need to. While teams will need their rosters trimmed to 23 before December 20th, lots will happen between now and then. We will be looking at training camp rosters and news throughout the next month, starting with the previews.
Edmonton, after all of their regular season struggles, ended up as the west representative in the Champions Cup. Their roster looks mighty different, however, after many moves this off season.
Players Gone
Paul Rabil (Rochester), Shawn Williams (Buffalo), Aaron Wilson (Buffal0), Steve Toll (CLax), Derek Suddons (Buffalo)
The Rush lost two of their best offensive players in Williams and Wilson. Williams led the team in scoring last season, while Wilson struggled but was still a productive player. Rabil never suited up for a game so not much of a loss there. Toll decided to play with Brampton in the Canadian Lacrosse League while Suddons found a better deal in Buffalo.
Players Brought In
Jarrett Davis (Rochester), Mark Matthews (Draft), Cory Conway (Calgary), Mitch Banister (Draft), Alex Turner (Free Agent), Kyle Goodchild (Draft), Michael Burke (Draft), Simon Giourmetakis (Draft), Jeremy Thompson (Buffalo), Keegan Davidson (Free Agent), Curtis Knight (Draft), Mike Cudmore (Draft).
Davis is the big acquisition from outside of the system, as a righty shooter acquired from Rochester. Mark Matthews was the number one overall pick in the draft, so he is expected to do big things, Cory Conway was a part of a strong offense in Calgary, while Knight is also expected to do big things as a first round pick.
Offense
The Rush lost their leading scorer in Williams, but their right side is still pretty deep. It is led by Ryan Ward, who scored 57 points last year and was second on the time. Also on that side is Scott Evans who had some big games last year and scored 47 points.
Curtis Knight looks to make the team out of camp as a rookie while Cory Conway is also looking to make an impact in his first season in Edmonton. Jarrett Davis is also there along with Michael Burke and Keegan Davidson, and Eric Lewthwaite, who did not score in six games last year.
Mark Matthews is the man on the left along with Corey Small who scored 48 points last year, and Zack Greer who led the team with 31 goals. The veteran Tom Johnson is back along with Alex Turner who did not play last season.
Defense
The Rush are very happy that Chris Corbeil will be back in the black and gray this year. Ryan Dilks will also be back, but they need to see a little more out of him after his breakout year in 2011 in Boston. Kyle Rubisch forced 43 turnovers to lead the team last year while Jarrett Toll forced 20. Jeff Cornwall forced 19 and Brett Mydske 18.
John Lintz is the top defender on the left side along with Cornwell and Corbeil, and rookie Mike Cudmore. Tyler Codron and John Lafontaine and solid on the right and look to bring up rookie Kyle Goodchild.
Transition
Jimmy Quinlan is the captain and arguably the heart and soul of the Rush. On his side with the transition is Jeremy Thompson, acquired from Buffalo and second year player Jesse Fehr.
Quinlan forced eight turnovers last year and scored seven points. Fehr played in only three games last year and did nothing production wise.
Also on trannie is Mitch Banister, the son of former Roughnecks owner Brad Banister and will be playing in his rookie season.
Goaltending
Aaron Bold is the man after leading the league in several goalie categories while Brodie MacDonald will have the backup duties to himself. After being a highly touted prospect for years, he will finally get a respectable workload in 2013.
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