2023-24 NLL Preview: Rush Move On from Championship-Era Stalwarts

With the 2023-24 National Lacrosse League season set to begin Dec. 1-2, USA Lacrosse Magazine is going team by team in the days leading up to the opener. Today, we take a deep dive on the Saskatchewan Rush.

SASKATCHEWAN RUSH

2022-23 Record: 8-10
Head Coach: Jimmy Quinlan, third season
Assistants: Jeremy Tallevi, Bruce Alexander

Additions: Patrick Dodds, F (Panther City); Zach Manns, F (Toronto); Frank Scigliano, G (San Diego); Mike Triolo, F (Panther City); Cam Wengrenuik, F (Saskatchewan)
Departures: Matt Beers, D (Vancouver); Marty Dinsdale, F (retired); Adam Jay, D (Toronto); Dan Lintner, F (Toronto); Austin Madronic, F (New York); Mark Matthews, F (Toronto); Kyle Rubisch, D (San Diego)

STORYLINES TO WATCH

How will the start of a new era in Rush lacrosse begin?

Chris Corbeil heading to Toronto last offseason proved to be just the start of a mass exodus of players from the Rush’s championship era — a period which saw the team win three titles from 2015 to 2018. This year saw more Saskatchewan stalwarts pack their bags, including arguably the top offensive and defensive players in the history of the franchise, Mark Matthews and Kyle Rubisch. All good things must come to an end, and the previous core did appear to grow stale with age. After seven straight seasons finishing atop the West, the Rush went 8-10 the last two seasons and missed the postseason on both occasions.

Some veterans remain — including Robert Church, fresh off a 104-point season, and transition leader Mike Messenger — but a majority of the roster is under 28. Among the fresh faces are childhood friends Patrick Dodds and Zach Manns, looking to rekindle their chemistry from junior ball in Victoria, as well as new defensive cogs Ryan Barnable, Jake Boudreau, Bobby Kidd III and Jerrett Smith.

There’s talent here for sure, but is it enough to compete this season? Some growing pains should be expected as Jimmy Quinlan figures out what he’s got.

Can Frank Scigliano bring stability between the pipes?

The Rush have struggled with consistency at goaltender since the departure of Evan Kirk in 2020. Saskatchewan hasn’t had a starting goalie finish with a goals against average under 10 since, and all three goalies who played for the team last season — Alex Buque, Eric Penney and Laine Hruska — had GAAs above 11. None finished in the top 18 in the league in save percentage, either.

Hruska, a Saskatchewan native, was a feel-good story when he got to suit up for his hometown team at the end of last season. But if the retooled Rush have their sights on the playoffs, a proven veteran was needed. Saskatchewan hopes it found the answer to one of its major deficiencies by landing Frank Scigliano in a trade with San Diego.

For the price of two picks and the rights to Rubisch, the Seals acquired a tender with over 5,700 minutes of game experience just a year clear from his best statistical season. In 2022, Scigliano posted a GAA of 9.78 and a save percentage of 79.3%. His numbers took a slight hit last season — a 10.71 GAA and 77.6 save percentage — but both those numbers would still constitute a major improvement for the Rush.