The Edmonton Rush are pleased today to announce their 16-game schedule for the 2008 National Lacrosse League season with several key games highlighting what should be an exciting year for fans.

Among the season highlights are three meeting with the arch-rival Calgary Roughnecks, including two at Rexall Place, and three games against the Colorado Mammoth, including a home-and-home series to end the regular season in mid-April.

Another exciting game on tap for this season will be the first-ever visit to Western Canada for the reigning NLL champions, the Rochester Knighthawks who will take on the Rush on All-Star Game Weekend.

There are a number of ties between the Rush and Knighthawks as Rush GM/Head Coach Paul Day formerly occupied the bench boss's role in Rochester, while Rush Captain Andrew Turner was a onetime Knighthawks Team MVP.

"We're very excited about having the Rochester Knighthawks coming here, especially on the same weekend that we are hosting the NLL All-Star Game. It will be a great weekend for lacrosse in the City of Champions," said Rush President Duane Vienneau.

The Rush will launch their third season in the NLL with a matchup against the league's newest team from Boston - a game that will mark the return to Edmonton for former Rush Team MVP Pat Campbell.

The Rush will play its West Division rivals 13 times with three games apiece against the Calgary Roughnecks (2 home, 1 away), Colorado Mammoth (1 home, 2 away) and Arizona Sting (1 home, 2 away). Edmonton will also match up against division rivals in the Portland LumberJax and San Jose Stealth twice each.

The Rush will make one trip into the East Division during the 2008 season when they take on the five-time champion Toronto Rock at the Air Canada Centre in April. "Our fans really get into the game against the division rivals and those will be very important games this season as we have full intentions on making the Champion's Cup playoffs," added Vienneau.

"Plus our games against Toronto have always been heated in addition to being great for promoting professional lacrosse right across Canada. And we're eager to play Boston and face our old friend Pat Campbell."

2008 season tickets for the Rush are on sale now.