Despite his team’s four-game losing streak, 5-7 overall record, and fifth-place standing in the National Lacrosse League’s West Division, Saskatchewan Rush general manager Derek Keenan made a transaction before Monday’s N-L-L trade deadline to get back into title contention.
The Rush acquired forward Rhys Duch, age 36, from Colorado in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2023 N-L-L Draft, which may become a second-round pick if Saskatchewan makes the playoffs. Duch has fourteen years of experience in the league and has played on two championship teams. The native of Victoria scored the game-winning goal in 2019 as Calgary won the championship, and he was a member of the Washington Stealth’s 2010 championship team. This season, Duch has 10 goals and 33 points in just eight games with the Mammoth. He might make his Rush debut against his former teammates on Saturday at SaskTel Centre. The following is a press release issued by the Saskatchewan Rush….
Two-Time NLL Champion Acquired by the Rush
Saskatoon, SK — The Colorado Mammoth have traded one of the most prolific goal scorers in NLL history, Rhys Duch, to the Saskatchewan Rush.
This season, Duch has 10 goals and 33 points in just eight games. Throughout his 14-year career, the 36-year-old has collected an astonishing 452 goals and 1107 points, in addition to four championships and two NLL crowns.
The native of Victoria scored the overtime winner in 2019 to give Calgary its first title in ten years; he earned his first championship in 2010 with the Washington Stealth, which included Matt Beers and Cam Sedgwick.
In return, the Rush handed the Mammoth a 2023 third-round pick, which will be upgraded to a second-round selection if Saskatchewan makes the playoffs.
Duch might make his Saskatchewan debut on Saturday when the Rush meet his previous team, the Calgary Roughnecks, at the SaskTel Centre (March 25th).