NLL Insider

Talk with just about any National Lacrosse League coach and he’ll tell ya the transition game on the floor is key. What about transition upstairs, though?

Yeah, Bob Hamley. Mr. Transition. Not so much on the rug, but keeping up with the wheeling and dealing of this Edmonton Rush coach/general manager just may leave ya outta breath by the time you finish reading the transaction sheet. And just when you think it’s all done, here it comes again and you’re right back to where ya started. This offseason alone, we count at least five trades orchestrated by Hamley to beef up his roster and ya know what? He ain’t about to apologize.

“I’ve been brought here to do a job,” says The Hammer.

So true, and if coaches/GMs are paid by the transaction, then Hammer’s got his mind on his money and his money on his mind. Well, not really. The only thing Hamley loves more than lacrosse is winning lacrosse and there’s no doubt he’s doing whatever it takes to get the Rush on the right side of the standings. So now that I’ve made poor use of an old hip-hop line that really has no bearing on how Hamley goes about his job, let’s hear what the fella has to say as he assesses what’s up for 2009 after learning some lessons in 2008.

Edmonton owner Bruce Urban brough in Hamley after an 0-5 start cost Paul Day his job as coach. The Rush won 2 of their next 3 games, including wins over Rochester and Portland. A loss to Toronto followed, but that was just temporary because wins over Calgary and San Jose gave the Rush a 4-7 record and … what’s this? A run at the playoffs?

“Coaching changes tend to get everyone’s attention,” says Hamley. “They start thinking their job is on the line.”

Deals for players — and draft picks — were pouring in for Edmonton. Rarely did a day go by where we weren’t reading of something involving the Rush. In comes Matt King in goal and Ian Crashley. In comes Dan Teat. In comes a handful of draft picks. In fact, by late March, Hamley had orchestrated enough deals to give Edmonton two first-round picks in the 2008 draft and two more in the coveted 2009 draft. Not too bad considering the franchise really didn’t have anything when Hamley arrived.

“When I was called by the team, they were very upfront and honest with me,” says Hamley. “We really had no picks. So we talked about forming a plan and sticking to that plan so we’ve made the deals to get picks.”

Thing is, Hamley was happy with the team’s defense and goaltending. It’s the offense, one of the lowest-scoring units in the NLL, that was the source of problems. As of now, the offense is set up with fellas like Lindsay Plunkett, Dan Teat, Mike Hominuck, Jimmy Quinlan, Andy Secore, Tim O’Brien and Ben Prepchuck. But you know as well as I do that a new deal could be just around the corner. Still, Hamley’s pleased with what he’s got. 

“If the season started tonight, I’d put my left side up against any in the league,” Hamley says. “And with Teat on the right, it gives us good leadership. We’re always trying to get better, but I like our left side a lot.”

As happy has he was with the defense, deals also were made to shore up that end. Ryan McNish, Chris McKay, Andrew Biers and Rory Glaves will be in front of a new — and hungry goalie.

“We’re very happy to have Chugger on board,” Hamley says of the deal that brought veteran Steve Dietrich to Edmonton. “He had a great summer, he’s lost 25-30 pounds and he’s as limber as I’ve ever seen him. He’s got a lot to prove.”

Chugger? Something to prove?

“Everyone’s seen his injuries the last 4-5 years and he thinks some people have given up on him,” says Hamley. “He’s coming in with the attitude that he’s got something to prove.”

Draft-wise, Hamley’s amped. He loves the game of Jamie Floris, who notched 51 points (17 goals, 34 assists) in 18 regular-season games with the Salmonbellies of New Westminster. The first-round pick, No. 4 overall, should be in the opening day lineup for Edmonton. The No. 10 overall pick was used on Ryan Campell, a natural shooter who played with Brampton this summer and Kelly Kilpatrick, who scored 10 power-play goals with the Coquitlam Adanacs. “He’s more of a tranny kid, but we’ll give him a chance on offense,” Hamley says.

So yeah, there’s plenty to write and talk about with the Rush as they aim for an improvement on the 4-10 mark of last year. 2008 started with a thud, had an injection of hope in the middle of the season and then collapsed with an 0-5 finish. The beauty of new seasons is that hope and optimism spring eternal and there’s no shortage of either in Edmonton as it gets ready for 2009.

Rate This Story:

(+58 rating, 13 votes)

 Loading ...