The Edmonton Rush have a new coach, some new players and a new sense of hope for the team’s success.
Derek Keenan has begun his first season with great optimism as head coach for the Rush, a team whose last National Lacrosse League season didn’t end well with only five wins and 11 losses.
The team has several new players, including assistant captain Brodie Merrill, Gavin Prout and Ryan Powell.
“I think it’s a much more talented and athletic team from last year and much better at getting out and getting it done on the turf,” Keenan said. “It can say on paper that you’re better, but the job has to be done on the floor.”
Keenan added that making it to the playoffs isn’t out of the question.
So far, the team has played two out-of-town games, earning a win and a loss. Saturday will mark the Rush’s first in-town game of the season.
They are to play against the Buffalo Bandits, a team with the reputation as one of the finest teams in the NLL, having won the league’s championship four times. Their most recent championship win was in 2008.
