Edmonton, AB-- The Edmonton Rush are excited to announce that two of the team's players have earned NLL weekly honors following the club's overtime victories this past weekend. (14-13 victory over the Washington Stealth and 13-12 over the Minnesota Swarm).

Brodie Merrill, one of the Rush's key off-season acquisitions, was named the NLL's Transition Player of the Week for his clutch overall performance, while Brandon Atherton picked up the Defence Player of the Week award for his heroic relief efforts coming off the bench into the net.

Merrill, a perennial all-star and former NLL Rookie and Defender of the Year, was at his best with a combined showing that featured five goals, five assists, and 31 loose balls to go with scoring the winning goal in overtime against the Swarm Saturday night. Merrill, currently second in the league in loose-ball collection, is currently on pace for 200+ season. Currently at 161 loose balls, Merrill has broken a team franchise record for all-time loose balls, which was held by current player Ian Hawksbee at 150 in the 2009 season.

"Brodie Merrill was the best player on the floor in both weekend games. He played outstanding defense, led the transition game as he always does and chipped in with 10 points in the offensive end." states GM/Head Coach Derek Keenan.

"He has the ability to carry a team on his back and he certainly did that last weekend."

Atherton has patiently waited for his turn in net and this weekend he was called twice to help the team and rewarded with the NLL Defence Player of the Week. Atherton entered both games in relief of Matt Disher and stopped 32 of 36 in a 14-13 overtime win over Washington on Friday and 34 of 38 in a 13-12 OT win at Minnesota, getting the win in both games.

"Brandon Atherton did a fantastic job in relief of Matt Disher in both games. He showed a lot of poise under a high pressure situation. He's playing with a lot of confidence and it puts our team in a good position knowing we have two goalies who can play at a high level."

The Rush (9-4) and Colorado Mammoth (3-9) will battle this Friday, April 9 at Rexall Place the ball drops at 7:00 p.m.