A late Thursday news release from the Saskatchewan Rush announced a pair of player signings.
One is 2022 draft pick Isaac Ngyou to a two-year contract and the other is veteran defender Ryan Dilks to a one-year contract. Following are the individual news releases from the Rush…..
Defender Ryan Dilks Signs 1-Year Contract with The Rush
“We are delighted to have Ryan Dilks back with the Rush for another season. We believe he is one of the best defenders in the NLL and what he brings to our team in terms of skill and leadership is hard to quantify,” says head coach and associate general manager Jimmy Quinlan. “His versatility to cover the oppositions best players no matter the side of the floor makes him an integral piece to our line-up. We look forward to seeing him in Rush green leading our back end and mentoring our younger crop of defenders.”
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound defender was raised in Hamilton, Ontario but later moved to Edmonton, AB where he now resides. Dilks was originally drafted in 2010 by Boston but joined the Rush via the 2012 NLL Dispersal Draft.
Ryan has been with the Rush since 2012 when the team was known as the Edmonton Rush. He came over with the team to Saskatchewan in 2016 and was named Defensive Player of the Year. In 148 games with the Rush, Ryan has tallied up 236 caused turnovers and 614 loose balls.
“When we look at the leadership void with the departure of Chris Corbeil to free agency, the first guy we look to is Ryan Dilks!,” states general manager Derek Keenan.
This past season, Dilks was an asset to the defensive line putting up 101 loose balls and 34 caused turnovers. He also tacked on one goal and eight assists in 18 games played.
“I couldn’t be happier to continue my career with the Rush and to be back in the province of Saskatchewan for another year,” says Ryan Dilks. “I love this team and I’m looking forward to bringing the trophy back to the best fans in the league”
The Rush 2022 Draft Pick Sign Isaac Ngyou to a 2-Year Agreement
“Isaac was a player we were very high on heading into the 2022 NLL draft and were excited to select him with our pick in the second round,’ says head coach and associate general manager Jimmy Quinlan. “He’s a player who has excellent feet, communicates well in the defensive end, and is able to push the ball up the floor. We are excited to get him in camp and begin working with him.”
The Rush acquired Isaac 40th overall in the 2022 NLL Entry Draft. The left-shot defenseman played this past season with Langley Jr. A, and put up 2 goals and 5 assists in 13 games. Ngyou also played up with the Langley Sr. A in the 2022 Mann Cup from September 8-18th. The 6-foot-1, 185 pound defender was an integral part of the three wins for the Thunder before falling shy in the final with a 16-11 loss to the Peterborough Lakers.
“We like skilled athletes on our backend and Isaac brings a lot of that,” says general manager Derek Keenan. “He has an opportunity in front of him to push for a roster spot”.
The Saskatchewan Rush are excited to welcome Isaac to the organization and look forward to having him continue to develop under Jimmy Quinlan’s coaching staff.
