Edmonton Rush General Manager/Head Coach Derek Keenan announced today that the club has re-signed defender Brett Mydske to a one-year contract. Mydske captured the Rush's Top Rookie Award for the 2010 season as he showcased his talents at both ends of the floor. On offense, the New Westminster, B.C., native led all Edmonton defenders in goals (four), assists (six) and points (10), and back in the defensive end, Mydske was second only to Ian Hawksbee in loose balls collected by Rush rearguards with 67. "Brett put together a fantastic first season as a pro and we are extremely excited to see what he can do for the team in his second year," noted Keenan. "I believe that Brett will develop into one of the NLL's elite defenders." "Brett, along with Dane Stevens and Corey Small, played huge roles for the Rush as rookies and are now part of the nucleus that will take the team to even greater heights in 2011." Said Keenan After not dressing for last year's season-opener, Mydske played in all of the Rush's next 15 regular-season games and he appeared in both playoff matchups collecting a total of six loose balls. Mydske put together his two best games of the season in back-to-back outings, accounting for a goal and six loose balls in both games as the Rush topped Minnesota 16-14 and used a 14-13 overtime victory against Washington to clinch a playoff spot. The six-foot-four, 205-pound Limestone College product was Edmonton's third-round pick (25th overall) in the 2009 NLL Entry Draft. Prior to joining the Rush, Mydske was named the B.C. Junior 'A' League's Top Defensive Player for the '09 campaign. The Rush open the 2011 National Lacrosse League season on January 8 against cross-Canada rival and five-time league-champion Toronto Rock. The Rush will make their Rexall Place debut for the 2011 season on January 28 when they play the first of four games against the arch-rival Calgary Roughnecks.
