By Scott Zerr

Despite having played over 100 games in the NLL, Kyle Goundrey admitted that he did have some nervous feelings before training camp got under way for the 2008 season.

Those jitters came as a result of being in unknown territory for the first time in a long time. Having spent the past six seasons playing for the Calgary Roughnecks, Goundrey made the bold move of coming north and joining the rival entry in the Battle of Alberta, the Edmonton Rush.

"The nerves were pretty big early on but it's a lot easier now that I'm here," said Goundrey as the Rush's second weekend of training camp was staged at Spruce Grove's Tri-Leisure Centre.

"I was out of my comfort zone and coming into a new environment with a new coaching staff and new players as teammates."

But it hasn't taken long for Goundrey to toss aside Roughnecks red and to fit into the Rush's silver and black. When GM/Head Coach Paul Day signed Goundrey to a free-agent contract over the summer, he quickly pointed out that the 32-year-old from Richmond, B.C., would be looked upon for leadership. It's a role that Goundrey was comfortable with in Calgary as an assistant captain and it was obvious by his words and actions during the Rush training camp that he's willing to adopt those qualities in Edmonton as well.

"Paul Day and the rest of the coaches asked me to do that sort of thing and it's really built some confidence in me as a leader," said Goundrey.

After a drill was sluggishly performed by the troops during one session, Rush assistant coaches A.J. Jomha and Jim Milligan chastised the team. When it went down correctly the next time around, Goundrey was quick to relay a point to the group.

"It shouldn't take the coaches telling us to do it right. Be intense all the time," said Goundrey. And for the rest of the session, the tempo was up and the execution was much higher.

Goundrey is not the kind of player to just echo the coaches' words and talk a good game. He'll back it up on the floor too, just as he's done throughout his career. Including brief stints in Vancouver and Baltimore, Goundrey has amassed 89 goals and 204 assists for 293 points, plus racked up his share of hustle honours having racked up 485 loose balls. Last season with the Roughnecks, he collected 11 goals and 28 assists for 39 points - one of the lower totals of his career - but it's a good bet those numbers will pick up in the Rush's re-designed offence.

As a team player and leader, though, Goundrey is more concerned about wins than personal accomplishments.

"My game is to work hard and play unselfishly and to do the little things well. I don't worry about stats," said Goundrey, who hasn't yet shown any signs of great anticipation for the Rush's three games against the Roughnecks - all of which fall in the second half of the '08 season.

"I'll probably try to take those like any other game."

Training Camp Notes: The Rush have added former defenceman Chris Stachniak to the coaching staff … Chris Gill, Dan Stroup, Mike Accursi and Matt Disher all made their training camp debuts during the second weekend … Cory Melville has switched to No. 92 for this season after giving up No. 19 to newly acquired Ben Prepchuk … Peter Gut, who spent all of last season on the practice roster, has been a notable name during camp and could find his way back onto the active roster where he spent all of 2006.

Watch For: A healthy A.J. Shannon to be a big part of the Rush offence this season. He is still wearing a brace on his surgically repaired knee but he looked to be having no trouble with agility or speed. In 2005, Shannon had 25 goals for Buffalo and if he stays out of the doctor's office he could hit that target again.

2008 season tickets are now on sale call (780) 732-RUSH.