Edmonton, AB---The Edmonton Rush announced today that the club has designated goaltender Matt Disher and forward Gavin Prout with Franchise Player tags for the 2011 National Lacrosse League season.

Under this designation, the two players are not listed as unrestricted free agents and are secured with the team for the upcoming campaign. Last year, the pair were instrumental in the Rush's strong regular-season performance and played major roles in the success the team enjoyed in qualifying for the Champion's Cup playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

Disher, a 12-year veteran, had one of the best seasons of his career, finishing second among all NLL netminders with eight wins, and placing fourth in both minutes played (808) and total saves (527). The 33-year-old Port Arthur, ON, native was outstanding in the Rush's playoff debut. He managed 60 saves including 17 in the fourth quarter as the Rush downed the defending league champion Calgary Roughnecks 11-7 in the West Division semifinal. A week later, Disher managed 44 stops - 14 coming in the first quarter and 10 more in the fourth during the Rush's comeback - in the heartbreaking 12-11 OT loss to the Washington Stealth in the West final.

Disher has played 156 games in the NLL totaling 6,599 minutes and he has compiled a 13.46 career goals-against average and a .747 career save-percentage.

"Matt Disher proved down the stretch last season that he is still a top notch NLL goaltender. With Brandon Atherton back as well we are solid in goal for the 2011 season." states General Manager and Head Coach Derek Keenan.

Prout completed his ninth NLL season in 2010, finishing second on the Rush and 21st in the league with 67 points. Those points took him to 738 for his career, moving him into eighth place on the NLL's all-time scoring list - 35 points behind seventh-seeded Tom Marechek. Prout was second on the Rush in goals with 27 and assists with 40 and also tied for second in the entire NLL with three-game winning goals. The Whitby, ON, product was also second in the league both power-play goals (six) and shorthanded goals (two).

"Gavin Prout provided clutch offense and strong on floor leadership for the Rush in 2010. I think Gavin still has lots of fuel in the tank and fire in his game and look forward to seeing Gavin lead our offense again in 2011." states General Manager and Head Coach

Like Disher, Prout flourished in the playoffs, notching four goals and six assists for 10 points in two games. Prout scored Edmonton's first goal, assisted on the next two markers, and finished with two goals and three assists in the Rush's stunning 11-7 win over the defending NLL champion Calgary Roughnecks in the West Division semifinal. Prout followed up with a second straight two-goal, three-assist effort in Edmonton's 12-11 OT loss to Washington in the West final. For his career, Prout has 257 goals and 481 assists in 143 games.