Rush Owner & Governor Bruce Urban has announced that the National Lacrosse League franchise is relocating to Saskatoon and will be known as the Saskatchewan Rush.
This move takes effect immediately and the Saskatchewan Rush will be part of the 2016 National Lacrosse League with their goal set on defending the Champion’s Cup title won this past June when the franchise was located in Edmonton.
“This is certainly a monumental day in the history of the Rush, and we are immensely pleased with the reception we have already received in the City of Saskatoon and from throughout the entire Province of Saskatchewan,” said Urban.
“Our entire franchise is delighted to be bringing the best professional lacrosse in the world to Saskatoon. We are enthusiastic about what is to come as the Rush defend the National Lacrosse League championship in our new home.”
The Saskatchewan Rush will play out of the SaskTel Centre, home to the Western Hockey League’s Saskatoon Blades, and seating 15,100 for hockey and lacrosse. The SaskTel Centre also hosts numerous big-name concerts and will showcase the UFC’s first-ever visit to Saskatchewan.
“On behalf of SaskTel Centre, the City of Saskatoon and the Province of Saskatchewan, I am proud to announce that the defending champions of the National Lacrosse League will make Saskatoon their new home beginning with the 2016 season,” said Will Lofdahl, Chief Executive Officer of SaskTel Centre.
“We know full well that they will enjoy much success in Saskatchewan.”
The Rush are coming off an outstanding 2015 season – their 10th year in the National Lacrosse League. After compiling a 13-5 record during the 18-game regular season, the Rush defeated the arch-rival Calgary Roughnecks in the best-of-three West Division Final to earn their spot in the Champion’s Cup.
The Rush swept the league-leading and six-time champion Toronto Rock in the best-of-three Champion’s Cup series, taking Game 1 in Toronto 15-9, and then finishing off the Rock by a score of 11-10 before a crowd of more than 12,000 fans.
“We’re excited to welcome Saskatchewan to the National Lacrosse League,” said NLL Commissioner George Daniel. “We look forward to showcasing great NLL action at SaskTel Centre in 2016.”
Genier joins Rush as new President
In addition to announcing the move to Saskatoon, the Rush are pleased to announce that Lee Genier has been named the team’s new President.
Prior to joining the Rush, Genier oversaw the Calgary Stampeders and his leadership guided the team to becoming the flagship franchise of the Canadian Football League. During Genier’s tenure with the Stampeders, the team won three Grey Cup titles and had the largest season-ticket base in the entire league.
Previously, Genier was a board member of Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton and the Team Lead during its gold-medal performances at the Sochi Olympics.
“I am very proud to be joining the Rush and being part of this exciting new venture in Saskatchewan,” said Genier.
“Our intent is to bring the Rush and the National Lacrosse League to the forefront of the sports landscape in the City of Saskatoon and the entire Province of Saskatchewan. I am looking forward to working closely with the business community, developing a huge fan base, and making Saskatchewan proud of the Rush.”
Genier, who is an avid outdoor sportsman, is active in the community as well as he sits on the Foundation Board of Directors at the Mount Royal University.
