NLL Insider

Yesterday’s semi-blockbuster deal that sent former Rookie of the Year, Ryan Benesch, and steady pure defender, Derek Suddons, to the Edmonton Rush, has sent Toronto fans into yet another frenzy as they scratch their heads over another move their team has made from what used to be, at least, the franchise’s nucleus not so long ago.

The trade actually goes against what Toronto management and coaching staff reported over the off-season and even this year in regards to Benesch’s future with the team.

NLL Insider first reported on Benesch being a double healthy scratch late last year and that an apparent rift between the player and team coaching staff had transpired.

It appeared a trade would likely happen over the off-season, but Toronto Rock Director of Lacrosse Operations, Mike Kloepfer, told the National Post that he expected Benesch would be back in 2009 and described Ryan as “a young player who at times struggled with the new demands that come with playing professionally.”

Kloepfer went onto say, “He’s a young player that was coming off the success of a rookie-of-the-year season. He is learning to grow into the demands of the pro game and we’re committed to helping him do that. It’s something every young player has to learn.”

The team again reiterated their support of Benesch heading into the 2009 season, with Rock President, Brad Watters, telling the Toronto Sun that, “He had a great rookie year and now he’s looking to improve some things. The coaches will decide the roles and who contributes what.”

Watters also told the paper that he felt Benesch was plagued with heavy expectations dating back to the now very much infamous Colin Doyle trade, which saw Doyle, defender Darren Halls, and a 2008 and 2009 first round pick sent to San Jose for Benesch, Chad Thompson, Kevin Fines, and the Rock’s 2007 first rounder.

“He has such great skills that he can now develop without all the pressure,” added Watters in the Sun article.

Many Rock players NLL Insider had spoken to said Benesch came into the Rock’s training camp this year in the best shape they’d seen him, with Benesch excelling in a number of the team’s fitness tests ahead of most other players on the team.

Kloepfer made those same sentiments last year prior to the start of the 2008 season, telling The Canadian Press, “Ryan came into training camp in great shape and appears to be determined to pick up from where he left off last year as the 2007 NLL rookie of the year.”

Benesch, who was also scratched late in his rookie season, was on pace to post practically identical numbers last year prior to the Rock shelving him for their last two games. Although his goal total was down from the 31 he posted in his first season in the league, Benesch posted more helpers, looseballs and penalty minutes in only 14 starts last winter.

In fact, Benesch’s 0.72 goals per game dip last year was better than what the team’s total offense did in 2008, compared to 2007, which saw the Rock score almost an entire goal less a game last year (0.94 goals less per outing in ‘08).

The Rush’s new sniper also had a solid summer, leading the KW Kodiaks in scoring with 66 points, his best in the MSL so far during his Senior career, finising sixth overall in Ontario.

During last week’s media conference call, when Toronto Co-Head Coach Glenn Clark was asked about Benesch being a healthy scratch, Clark simply stated that lineup decisions were based partially on how players perform during their weekly Wednesday evening practices.

Benesch was of course a healthy scratch for a second time this season after Clark’s comments last week, his fourth consecutive game in the press box since being scratched in the Rock’s last two in 2008. The Rock are 1-3 during that span and scored just six goals in their lackluster loss to Buffalo this past weekend.

In June of 2007, Clark told the Toronto Sun, “(Benesch) is a lights-out scorer, he’s a talent. You give those talents time to go.”

Plus the links below…

• Ryan Benesch 2007 Rookie of the Year highlight vid: YouTube 
• Orillia Minor Lacrosse searching for new home after closure: The Orillia Packet & Times
• Chris McElroy has been through it all in Edmonton: Slam Sports
• Rama Kings back to Junior B loop with Tornadoes movin’ on up: The Orillia Packet & Times
• “I’m happy to be with Calgary and I’m sure Lewis is happy to be in Toronto.”: The Canadian Press
• “[Defense] is pretty all we’re going to work on. I’m not too worried about the offense.”: NLL.com
• “We’ve tried to change the culture, we tried to change the dressing room.”: Slam Sports
• Rich Kilgour to coach at NCCC: Niagara Gazette
• “Kyle Wailes may be one of the best ‘pure feeders’ I have seen in lacrosse”: Wingslax.com
• Rock declares 2009 Entry Draft the best of the last decade: TorontoRock.com

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