SASKATCHEWAN RUSH ACQUIRE SNIPER ADAM JONES

The Saskatchewan Rush announced a major trade on Monday as the two-time defending National Lacrosse League champions acquired star forward Adam Jones from the Colorado Mammoth in exchange for forward Zack Greer.

The two teams also exchanged draft picks in the deal. Colorado gets Saskatchewan’s ninth overall selection in the 2016 NLL Entry Draft which takes place later this month, while the Rush receive the Mammoth’s second-round pick in the 2017 Entry Draft.

In Jones, the Rush land one of the NLL’s top offensive talents, who set career-highs with 51 goals, 42 assists and 93 points during the 2015 season. He became just the fourth player in Mammoth history to reach the 50-goal plateau, and his 93 points put him tied for eighth in league scoring. Despite missing four games last season, Jones still struck for 42 goals, six of those coming in the fourth quarter of a wild comeback victory over Vancouver.

“Adam is an outstanding player who will be an excellent catalyst for our offence,” said Rush GM/head coach Derek Keenan.

“It is not easy trading a player with the skills and character of Zack Greer, but he will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2017 season and we have to mindful of the future. Adam is three years younger. He has already proven to be an elite offensive talent in the NLL and there is even more upside to come.”

Greer spent the past six seasons with the Rush and is coming off his second consecutive 40-goal campaign. He will be fondly remembered by the Rush fans for his seven-goal game against Calgary as well as several key goals during the Rush’s run to a second straight Champion’s Cup.

“Zack was an electrifying player for the Rush and a first-class person,” said Rush owner/governor Bruce Urban. “The fans and the entire organization offer a tremendous thank you and heartfelt best wishes to Zack.

“While we say good-bye to Zack, we want to enthusiastically welcome Adam Jones to the Rush and to Saskatchewan. Adam is a thrilling player to watch and we expect he will become even more dynamic playing alongside his new teammates with the Rush.”