Rush Ready to Tackle Mammoth Friday in Denver

G-M and head coach Derek Keenan has a balance of veterans and newcomers with the Saskatchewan Rush for the upcoming 2019-20 National Lacrosse League season.

Keenan unveiled the 21-man roster in advance of the Rush’s first regular-season game Friday in Denver against the Colorado Mammoth. Five Saskatchewan picks from the last three N-L-L Drafts are among the 21 players, including key returnees such as goaltender Evan Kirk, defenceman Kyle Rubisch and forwards Mark Matthews and Ben McIntosh. All Rush will be aired on 92-9, THE BULL with Friday’s broadcast beginning at 7:30 and the play-by-play from Colorado at 8:30. The first Rush home game is Saturday, December 14 against the New England Blackwolves. First face-off is 7:30 p.m. at SaskTel Centre. Following is the news release from the Rush…

RUSH UNVEIL 2019-20 ROSTER

Saskatoon, SK – General Manager/Head Coach Derek Keenan announced today the official roster for the Saskatchewan Rush heading into the 2020 National Lacrosse League season.

The Rush begin the 2020 NLL season this Friday as they head to Denver to take on the Colorado Mammoth.

The three-time champion Rush return their most-notable names including 2018 league MVP and four-time First Team All-Pro Mark Matthews, 2018 NLL Cup MVP Jeff Shattler, former NLL Rookie of the Year Ben McIntosh, 2018 First Team All-Pro Robert Church, Team Captain Chris Corbeil, four-time Defensive Player of the Year Kyle Rubisch, and former Goaltender of the Year Evan Kirk.

While there is an ample amount of established, veteran talent on the roster, the Rush roster has taken an upswing in youthful enthusiasm as evidenced by the number of recent draft picks who have made the squad. Earning spots on the roster were 2019 first-round draft picks Holden Garlent and Justin Robinson, along with 2018 first-round choice Connor Robinson, 2017 fourth-round pick Austin Murphy, and 2018 third-round selection Ryan McLean.

“It was important for us to get some youthful enthusiasm onto the roster, but our veteran leadership core had an outstanding camp and were really focused,” said Keenan. “This past weekend was our final training camp and they really took the bull by the horns and made it easy on the coaching staff.”

Two veterans reemerged at this camp and were welcomed back with open arms. Ryan Dilks, the NLL Defensive Player of the Year in 2016, and fellow defenceman Jeff Cornwall both missed all of last season due to work commitments, but the duo have returned to strengthen the Rush’s back end.

“They both make a huge difference for us, on the floor and in the locker room,” said Keenan.

The Rush will have their home-opener on Co-op Field at SaskTel Centre when they host the New England Black Wolves on Saturday, December 14th. Tickets can be purchased here.

2020 Rush Roster:

Goaltenders: Evan Kirk, Adam Shute

Defencemen: Ryan Dilks, Holden Garlent, Matt Hossack, Ryan McLean, Justin Robinson, Kyle Rubisch

Transition: Chris Corbeil, Travis Cornwall, Mike Messenger, Jordi Jones-Smith, Jeremy Thompson

Forwards: Robert Church, Marty Dinsdale, Ryan Keenan, Mark Matthews, Ben McIntosh, Austin Murphy, Connor Robinson, Jeff Shattler

Practice Roster: Cameron Dunkerley (goaltender), Zach Gould (forward), Tanner Thomson (forward)

Short-Term Holdout List: Jeff Cornwall

Draft List: Luke Keenan