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A Saskatchewan Rush fan favourite is taking his talents to Philadelphia as part of a blockbuster trade in the National Lacrosse League on Friday.
The Rush traded forward Ben McIntosh and three draft picks for Wings forward Josh Currier and two first-round draft selections.
Rush general manager and head coach Derek Keenan confronted his team’s present and future in a trade that sends McIntosh away from the only team he’s ever played for.
“There are many layers to this trade,” Keenan said in a team news release.
“Ben has been a great player for the Rush and an integral part of three championships. He’s an outstanding player and a quality person. On a personal level, I’ll miss him a lot.”
Saskatchewan received Philadelphia’s seventh overall selection in this year’s draft and a first-round pick in the 2021 NLL Entry Draft. The Rush will now have four first-round selections in the next two drafts.
In exchange for Currier, who collected 17 goals and 35 points over 14 games in the pandemic shortened 2019-2020 season, the Rush sent two second-round compensatory picks – 34th and 35th overall – in the 2020 draft that Saskatchewan which were awarded for losing free-agent defencemen Scott Campbell and Brett Mydske. The final pick is a conditional second-round selection in the 2023 draft.
“From the Rush perspective, we are happy to get a really good player in return. Josh Currier is a proven scorer in the NLL. He has the ability to produce offence in multiple ways. He’s an excellent off-ball player, and with his speed and quickness, he has the ability to create his own shot. His toughness and grit make him a great fit to our offence,” Keenan said.
Currier, a sixth overall selection in the 2016 NLL Entry Draft after playing his college lacrosse at Virginia Wesleyan. The 27-year-old played for the Rochester Knighthawks until he was selected by Philadelphia in the 2018 Expansion Draft. In the Wings’ first season, Currier set career-highs with 34 goals, 28 assists and 62 points to go with 66 loose-ball scoops and four caused turnovers.
McIntosh, known for his scoring touch and aggressive physicality, was the first overall selection by the Rush in the 2014 NLL Entry Draft out of Philadelphia’s Drexel University, where he now lives.
“This trade addresses the now and the future for the Rush. It enables us to compete for another championship in 2021 along with taking care of the future.”
McIntosh registered 20 goals and 15 assists over 10 games last season.
“On behalf of the Rush organization, I’d like to thank Ben for his outstanding contributions over his six seasons with the team,” said Keenan. “This trade is good for everyone involved. Ben now resides in Philadelphia and, given the fact his fiancee is from there, it is permanent for him. This is a good fit for Ben and I’m happy for him.”