And he'll make his Rush debut against former club
EdmontonRush.com
There's no question that Jason Wulder is a team-first kind of guy.
He's had some terrific seasons in the National Lacrosse League and entering his 13th year in the league, there's every indication that he could have another banner campaign that will add to his 449 career points in 150 games. But Wulder hasn't put the least little bit of emphasis on personal success. He's won a championship before and would love to add another ring to his collection.
"I'd rather win a championship than a scoring title any day," said Wulder.
The Edmonton Rush hope he can supply some points and leadership that will help them pave the way to a title now that he's moved up the QE 2 Hwy. from the Calgary Roughnecks to the Rush. And rather fittingly, he'll make his Rush debut Saturday night at Rexall Place against the Roughnecks in the 2007 season's first edition of the Battle of Alberta.
"There's no hard feelings," said Wulder about the off-season trade that sent him north for Kerry Susheski and a draft pick.
"Sometimes teams go in different directions. I look at it more as Edmonton wanted me not that Calgary didn't want me. From the moment the Rush got me, it's been an awesome fit. The way the organization is run from top to bottom is first rate so for me making the move was a no-brainer."
And it's not as if Wulder doesn't know a single face on his new team. During the Western Lacrosse Association summer season in B.C., Wulder plays for the Coquitlam Adanacs alongside fellow Rush forward Jimmy Quinlan. The Adanacs' biggest rival is defending league champion Victoria Shamrocks - a team stacked with Rush players like Captain Andrew Turner, Chris McElroy, Ted Jenner and Buck Stobart. The two teams went all the way to Game 7 of the WLA final, and with a Mann Cup berth on the line, the Shamrocks edged out Coquitlam in a 3-2 double-overtime thriller.
This past summer, Wulder finished second in the WLA scoring derby with 32 goals and 46 assists for 78 points in just 18 games. But Wulder isn't primarily concerned with bringing his hot hand to the floor for the Rush. It's an overall game that he is more focused on providing.
"I'm not looking to make a big splash. I just want to help where I can," said Wulder. "I want to play well in transition, score a few goals and even make a quick change so we can get our D out on the floor. I don't want to be flashy. I just want to do what I can to help the team win."
Although one can certainly expect a guy with 190 goals over his NLL career to find the back of the net from time to time. Wulder's potent offensive skills will definitely complement the group that put up 13 goals for the Rush in the season-opening win over Philadelphia.
"Well, we definitely have the oldest right-hand side in the league," laughed Wulder. "But with age comes experience and when there's a lot of experience around, you lose the egos. No one is out to prove themselves. Everyone is pulling in the same direction which is to do what's best for the team. Everyone is here to win."
