FINAL PREPARATIONS FOR THE 2010 SEASON

The final sessions of the Edmonton Rush training camp takes place at the Leduc Recreation Centre this weekend giving the National Lacrosse League club closing opportunities to prepare for the 2010 campaign. 

It’ll be a power-packed weekend for the Rush, especially with the club getting together for the first time since camp took a break over the recent holiday season, and the last time before the regular season begins January, 15 at Everett, Washington.

Rush general manager/head coach Derek Keenan has a busy itinerary - both on and off the carpet - for his charges.

“It’s just a matter of getting back out there and getting the rust out after being off for two weekends and another opportunity for us to improve in all areas,” said Keenan. “We do have a number of situational things that we haven’t really worked on so we’ll do that.”

While the NLL season kicks off for many teams this weekend, Keenan and the Rush will use these final practice sessions to prepare before the wins and losses count in the standings for the club.

“We’ll sit down as a team and go over our goals for the season and our performance goals. There are a number of areas we’ll focus on with the players.

“We’re going to focus on our defensive game. There are some areas we have to get better at based on our exhibition game. We’ll watch some film from our game against Calgary, so that will be a focus point. And we’ll continue to improve our execution of offense.” 

Although Keenan is eager to get the season on for the new-look Rush, he’s pleased the club has the opportunity to build on several components of their game as other clubs play for real points. 

“I like the way it’s set up for us. I think it’s a bit of an advantage that we get an extra weekend,” he said. “We’ll get a couple of extra days of solid practice and then we’ll get to do some team building, as well.”

With a new coaching staff and several fresh faces in the lineup, the Rush look to create a closer environment as the team building exercises play an essential component for the club.  

And rather than using lacrosse sticks, the players, coaches and team staff will slip on sliders, pick up brooms and fire rocks to the house on the curling ice at Leduc Recreation Centre.

“We’ll get on the ice and do some curling. It will be a fun activity for us,” Keenan said.

“The team building thing is something I’m a big believer in. Over the course of my coaching, no matter what level, I’ve always done something.

“With athletes of this level, anything involving competition and fun is a team builder as the players are competitive. All the guys out there are going to want to win, but this builds character and team spirit amongst the group. It will be fun,” he added.

The activity of breaking out the brooms and taking turns sliding the granite stones down the ice will be relatively new to most players and with little curling experience expected on the sheet, observers can expect a few wobblers out there.

“I don’t think many of the guys have curling experience, however, we’ll find out,” Keenan said. “Some of the western guys may have. 

“I’ve curled a little bit, but Matt Disher, from Arthur, Ont., might be a ringer, so he’ll be on my team,” he added jokingly. 

The club will enjoy the time together and continue to build on the cohesion of the unit as the regular season quickly approaches.

“It is exciting as things get rolling and we have this opportunity to work this weekend and prepare for our two road games next weekend which will be difficult,” he said. “It’s going to be very productive and it will be a good weekend for us, for sure.”

The Rush starts the 2010 season on the road January 15 versus the Washington Stealth in Everett, Washington, while the club’s first home game is set for January, 23 at Rexall Place against the Buffalo Bandits.

WHAT: General Manager / Head Coach Derek Keenan introduces the 2010 Edmonton Rush and Assistanct Captains

WHEN: Friday JANUARY 8 2010, 3PM-4PM

WHERE: Leduc Recreation Centre. 4330 Black Gold Drive, Leduc AB (use east entrance)

Practice Times for the Weekend of January 8-10

Friday Jan 8: 6-8pm

Saturday Jan 9: 8:30-11:00am and 1-4 pm Curling

Sunday Jan 10: 10-12pm

All Practices and Curling event are held at Leduc Recreation Centre.