Saskatchewan Rush head coach and general manager Derek Keenan said their first two picks in the 2017 National Lacrosse League (NLL) draft were “absolute steals, both of them.”
The Rush went into the draft with a different approach, looking for depth players as the team prepares for the 2018 expansion draft.
READ MORE: Saskatchewan Rush making off-season moves with eye to NLL expansion
Keenan said they “came away from the draft better than expected,” choosing Nick Finlay and Johnny Pearson with their two second-round picks after having no picks in the first round due to previous trades.
“Both Finlay and Pearson can play and I think they’re going to push guys for jobs right away,” Keenan said in a statement.
Finlay, who plays transition, was taken 16th overall from Peterborough of the Ontario Junior A League. He also played field lacrosse at Trent University.
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“Nick is a big, athletic transition/defenceman,” Keenan said.
“He was awesome at the draft combine, probably the best guy out the back door there.”
Pearson was taken three spots later and Keenan couldn’t hide his excitement at landing him in the 19th overall spot in the draft.
“Johnny was my second-rated left-handed offensive player so to see him drop down to us, I’m very happy about that,” Keenan said.
Pearson set a career-high with 26 goals in his senior year at Ohio State University.
READ MORE: Saskatchewan Rush sign free agent Jeff Shattler
Forward Chris Boushy was selected in the third round with the 31st overall pick and forward Austin Murphy was taken 41st overall in the fourth round.
The Rush rounded out the draft by picking a homegrown player, Anthony Hallborg from the Saskatchewan Swat.
Hallborg, who is from Warman, went 58th overall in the sixth round.
The defenceman had 10 points and 30 penalty minutes last season in the Rocky Mountain Junior A League and Keenan said Hallborg made an impression at the combine.
“Hallborg is really fast, he’s got good skills and he’s a good defender,” Keenan said.
“He’s a really solid kid and I think he can push some guys at training camp.”
READ MORE: Saskatchewan Rush open 2017-18 NLL season on the road
The Rush start their quest for a third Champion’s Cup in four years on the road when they play the Toronto Rock on Dec. 16.
Saskatchewan’s first home game is the following week when the New England Black Wolves travel to Saskatoon for the Rush’s home opener on Dec. 23.
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