Rush trade for star forward Adam Jones

The Saskatchewan Rush bolstered their offence Monday, but had to give up one of their top scorers.
 
The Rush acquired star forward Adam Jones from the Colorado Mammoth, in exchange for Zack Greer.

“Adam is an outstanding player who will be an excellent catalyst for our offence,” said Derek Keenan, general manager and head coach of the Rush.

Jones had 68 points last season while setting a league record with at least one goal in 56 straight games. In 2015 he had a career high 51 goals and 93 points in Colorado. 

The trade was, however, a fair price to pay to acquire the emerging star forward. Zack Greer is a veteran of the Rush franchise and is coming off his second consecutive 40-goal campaign.

“Zack was an electrifying player for the Rush and a first-class person,” said Rush owner, Bruce Urban. “The fans and the entire organization offer a tremendous thank you and heartfelt best wishes to Zack.”

A pair of draft picks was also swapped with the Rush giving up a first rounder this year and receiving a second rounder next year. 

It will still be several months before Jones will visit his new “home” in Saskatoon, but he is excited to play for one of the loudest arenas in the NLL.

“I’ve played there a few times and people in Saskatchewan always seem to get behind their teams,” Jones said from his home in Ontario.

“I was in my basement when I got a phone call saying I was traded and never thought it would be to Saskatchewan. I am super pumped.”

Jones also sees it as a chance to grow the game in a province that has quickly taken to professional lacrosse and sent a senior team to a national tournament for the first time in 40 years.

“They pretty much saved a franchise, with the team from Edmonton coming in,” he said. “I think it was a big relief that when the team was moved that they had so much support.”

The Rush open the 2017 season Jan. 7 on the road against the Georgia Swarm.