Edmonton, AB - The Edmonton Rush Lacrosse Club announced today that the team traded their first round draft pick in the 2005 Entry Draft and Sandy Chapman to the Rochester Knighthawks in exchange for defensemen Andrew Turner, Cam Bergman and Buck Stobart.

“This is a hugh acquisition for the Rush,” says Paul Day, General Manager/Head Coach, “acquiring Andy, at 27 years of age, the best defenseman in the NLL is a huge step and shows the rest of the NLL that we are serious about success. This may also help us lure some free agents. Andy is also very interested in living in Alberta. Most of the top players in the NLL draft are in the 21-23 year old range this year and will need time to adjust to the pro game.”

A.J. Jomha, Director of Lacrosse Operations, is not concerned with having to give up the Edmonton Rush’s first round draft pick in its first year. “Andrew Turner brings leadership to our team as a defenseman and overall player. Turner was named by the league as the 2005 Defenseman of the Year, but he also was named the Most Valuable Player of his team by his teammates.”

In 2005, Turner completed his sixth season with the Knighthawks and second as one of the team’s alternate captains. The 27 year old notched a career-high 13 points (0+13) and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player and Best Defenseman. He was named an alternate captain for the Eastern Division NLL All-Star Team. In 2003-04, he was named to the Knighthawks’ 10th Anniversary Team and was selected to the NLL Eastern Division All-Star team. In his NLL career with the Knighthawks he has registered nine goals and 43 assists for 52 points in 76 games. His 185 penalty minutes rank fourth on the franchise’s all-time list. He was the Knighthawks’ second-round selection (eighth overall) in the 1999 NLL Entry Draft.

Andrew Turner is currently playing box lacrosse in the WLA league for the Victoria Shamrocks. He was named Player of the Week for the week ending August 3. Turner a defensive stalwart for the Shamrocks helped his team to two victories. He also found time to assist on four goals.

The Edmonton Rush also acquired two solid defensemen in Cam Bergman and Buck Stobart.

Bergman was acquired by the Knighthawks in the first-round (eighth overall) of the National Lacrosse League Dispersal Draft on July 20th. The native of New Westminster, BC, played two seasons in Anaheim. He appeared in 16 games and recorded four goals, eight assists and 89 loose balls. Bergman (5-10, 170) was the Storm’s second-round selection (19th overall) in the 2003 NLL Entry Draft.

Stobart played one season with the Knighthawks, appearing in two games and collecting 19 penalty minutes in 2003-04. The 6-4, 240-pound defenseman missed the 2005 season because of personal reasons. The Victoria, BC, native was the second-round pick of the 'Hawks in the 2003 NLL Draft.