The Saskatchewan Rush kept it in the family with the first overall pick in the 2016 National Lacrosse League draft.
The defending champs wasted no time selecting Ryan Keenan, a forward from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn.
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He happens to be the son of Rush head coach and general manager Derek Keenan.
Ryan Keenan said he is joining a great organization that has an amazing fan base.
“I’m just so glad to be a part of it, especially with knowing a lot of the guys, playing with a number of the guys in the past and being good buddies with them,” Ryan Keenan said.
“It’s kind of a great situation to enter the league into and I’m pretty grateful for that.”
Despite the family connection, Keenan is full value for the pick.
He was rated as a top-tier prospect and he’s ready for the pressure of playing under his father’s watchful eye.
“With my work ethic I have and my confidence, I’m gonna do whatever I can the rest of the year to make sure I’m at that level where I head into training camp and I’m confident enough I won’t have to worry about that.”
Keenan had at least 90 points in each of his final two seasons in junior and added 40 more as a member of the Brooklin Redmen in Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) this summer.
With the Rush trading Riley Loewen to the Calgary Roughnecks last week, it should open a spot for Keenan on the roster for the 2017 season.
He’s determined to earn that spot.
“I’m going to be working hard the rest of the year to get to that level where I’m confident I can make it and contribute right away,” Keenan stated.
For now, Keenan is going to enjoy the moment.
“I know my mom, who we lost a couple years ago, she’s here smiling now because it’s a very special moment for the whole family,” Keenan said.
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The theme of making space continued with the third overall selection as Saskatchewan added defender Mike Messenger.
He could potentially replace John Lintz, who was also traded last week.
Messenger won an NCAA Division II title with Limestone College in 2014 and was seen as the top defender in this year’s draft.
The two-time defending Champion’s Cup title-holders start the 2017 regular season on Jan. 7.