The Saskatchewan Rush have bulked up the right side of their offence as General Manager Derek Keenan announced the acquisition of forward Mike Mallory from the Vancouver Warriors, pending league approval.
In exchange for Mallory, the Rush sent Vancouver a second-round pick in the 2022 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft.
The pick was originally Vancouver’s via a trade with Albany (New England), but was then shipped to the Rush in a trade for Nik Bilic.
“I’ve always liked Mike’s game,” said Keenan. “He brings some size to the right side of our offence, and I love his versatility. He’s capable of playing both ends of the floor, is strong in transition, and shoots the ball really well.”
The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder was initially drafted in the third round of the 2011 NLL Entry Draft by the Washington Stealth, but had his most productive season to date in 2016 when he picked up six goals and eight assists for 14 points playing in eight games for the Colorado Mammoth.
A native of Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Mallory suited up last season for the Warriors, appearing in 13 games and notching eight assists along with 62 loose ball scoops and four caused turnovers.
Mallory has been more regularly able to showcase his offensive skills playing for Maple Ridge in the WLA, registering a pair of 20-goal, 50-point seasons and finishing second in team scoring in 2019. Mallory was twice a First Team All-Star in the British Columbia Junior ‘A’ League and earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2010. In two seasons with the Delta Islanders, he collected 206 points, including 93 goals, in just 49 games.