Jan. 3, 2006
The banner on the top of the Edmonton Rush's Web site might have given a good indication of what the expectations are for this season. The word `WIN' was crossed out with a black line and underneath it simply read, `SURVIVE.'
Perhaps not the most confidence-inducing slogan, but certainly a realistic one for an expansion franchise boasting a callow roster lean on extensive NLL experience. But the Rush have several things going for it to not only make this season exciting, but also to help set the stage for a successful future.
Unlike many teams troubled by travel, the majority of players on the Rush's roster have moved to Edmonton and settled in for the season. With this unusual density of players, much of it due to the mobility of the team's youth, the Rush will have the luxury of playing together multiple times a week while the competition must wait for the weekend.
"With 18 players living in Edmonton and training together three or four times a week without a coach will be a big advantage," said Rush captain Andrew Turner, the 2005 NLL Defenseman of the Year. "It might take a while to get things together, but we've been together a lot and the players are eager. Hopefully, the learning curve won't be too steep."
Turner, a member of the Rochester Knighthawks for the past six years and a postseason veteran, sees the players' proximity as a beneficial contrast to the situation with his old team. With many of the Knighthawks having a lengthy commute from Southern Ontario for games and practices, the ability to form team-building bonds - critical for a young team - was not available, Turner said.
Paul Day, the Rush's coach and GM, saw the same things during his time in Rochester.
"In Rochester, some players had to travel four to six hours just for a home game and sometimes two or three hours for practice," said Day. "We've got an all-Canadian team and a lot of them love to come and play in Edmonton. And even the guys in Vancouver only have an hour flight. It was part of the plan."
Establishing the rapport within a team is a boon, but won't necessarily put wins in the books - or people in the seats.
Helping to do that will be the Rush's motivated promotional and marketing unit that has cultivated the eager fan base in Alberta's capital. On opening night (Jan. 6 against San Jose), the promotional team plans to unveil a custom Rush motorcycle built by Orange County (N.Y.) Choppers, made popular by the Discovery Channel series "American Chopper." Also, Canadian country group Road Hammers will be performing at the game.
Even the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders have been scheduled to make an appearance at Rexall Place this season.
"I've never seen anything like it," Turner said. "The front office and ownership have done a great job in promoting the team. Everyone knows about us and is excited.
"Some owners have been criticized for not spending the money to make money, but this ownership group understands the importance. The city is ready for the season and constantly asking us about it."
"The ownership and staff have done an outstanding job," added Day, the NLL's winningest active coach who led the Knighthawks to their 11th consecutive playoff berth last season. "They're from Edmonton and their full-time job is to take care of lacrosse. We're so blessed to have them when other teams only have people working on lacrosse part time."
Excitement and fan support will make this first season in Edmonton a success for the franchise (and league), but the final outcome will depend on a defensive unit anchored by Turner. There are several talented snipers on the team, but a lock-down backline and the exuberance of youth might hold up against some of the more experienced teams in the West.
"Defensively, we're very strong, but we'll have to limit teams to 10 or 11 goals," Turner said. "We're going to have to win games with speed and transition. We've got a young athletic team so hopefully we can catch those older, veteran teams that can't match our energy."
The Rush will catch no breaks with the schedule. Forty percent of their games come against the last two NLL champions (four against Calgary, two against Toronto). "We'll need to steal a couple," said Day, who, like Turner, hopes that final three games of the season against Portland will hold the season in the balance.
"We want to be competing for a playoff spot in the last couple of weeks," Turner said. "We want those games to meaningful."
Time will tell whether these aspirations are realistic enough for this season, but with the franchise they've put together in their first season, the Rush has the foundation for success in the future.
NOTES: Day was particularly pleased to see promotional commercials on two of the network affiliates in Edmonton promoting the team...According to Day, Canadian players were more likely to relocate to Edmonton as opposed to some of the U.S. cities, due to work-visa restrictions...Four of the Rush's first six games are at home in Rexall Place.
Edmonton Rush
Division: West
Last year: expansion team.
Home arena: Rexall Place (capacity, 16,389).
Head coach: Paul Day (ninth overall NLL season, 80-47 record).
Returning all-star: Andrew Turner (first team, defensive player of the year, 0-13-13 with
Rochester).
Outlook: Day is the winningest active coach in the league and he's already landed an ace
in Turner, who spent six seasons with the Knighthawks. Goaltender Pat Campbell, who had
his moments as a backup to Pat O'Toole in Rochester under Day, has taken his act west to
Edmonton. Rory Glaves, who spent his rookie season in Anaheim, was Day's first pick in the
dispersal draft. When Day took over the Knighthawks from Barry Powless in 1998, the team
was coming off its lone championship season, then made the playoffs every year he was at
the helm. Don't expect results to come nearly that quickly with an expansion team.
The schedule: "Orange County Choppers," featured on the Discovery's Channel's
"American Chopper" television series, will unveil a custom motorcycle before the opener, at
home against San Jose. That game, plus the three straight against expansion cousin
Portland to close the season, are worth looking forward to.
- compiled by Tom Borrelli
