Saskatchewan Rush General Manager Derek Keenan announced today that Mark Matthews, the franchise鈥檚 all-time leading scorer and 2018 NLL MVP, has signed a new three-year contract to remain with the Rush.
Matthews is one of the NLL鈥檚 elite offensive performers and has spent his entire career in a Rush uniform. He is only second player in league history to record five consecutive 100-point seasons and holds the league record for most assists in a single regular season (84) 鈥� a mark he set during his MVP campaign while totaling a career-high 116 points.
鈥淭he signing of Mark Matthews to a three-year deal is monumental for the Saskatchewan Rush going forward,鈥� said Keenan, who used the first-overall pick in the 2012 NLL Entry Draft to select Matthews.
鈥淥ver Mark鈥檚 eight seasons with the Rush, he has been the most consistent offensive producer in the NLL. He is a leader on our team and a leader in Rush Nation. The three-year agreement exemplifies Mark鈥檚 tremendous commitment to our fans, the community, our sponsors, his teammates, and to our new owners 鈥� the Priestner Family. In turn, the Priestner Family have already shown their commitment to keeping the Rush at the top of the National Lacrosse League on and off the floor.鈥�
鈥淭his is a great day for the Saskatchewan Rush and Rush Nation,鈥� exclaimed President Colin Priestner. 鈥淢ark is a cornerstone player in this league and has demonstrated not only exceptional ability on the field but also a commitment to our province and growing the game of lacrosse from the grass roots level.鈥� Priestner then commended his general manager鈥檚 work signing Matthews.
"This signing is also a testament to Derek Keenan and his ability to draft and retain all-star caliber players year after year. Today we鈥檝e put an integral pillar in place and we are excited to continue to build around Mark and the leadership he brings to our organization."
Winning the NLL Rookie of the Year Award in 2013 began a spectacular run of achievements for Matthews and the Rush. Two years later, the Rush captured their first NLL championship beating Toronto in the Final and Matthews was the named the Playoff MVP, notching 27 points in just five games. A year later, the Rush moved to Saskatchewan and won their second league title in as many seasons, this time defeating Buffalo in the Final with Matthews topping the playoff scoring chart at 22 points.
The Rush missed out on a championship in 2017, but that only sparked Matthews and the entire team for what became a sensational 2018 campaign. The Oshawa, Ontario, product was named the league鈥檚 Most Valuable Player and NLL First Team All-Pro as he set the single-season record for assists 鈥� an accomplishment he reached on the final game of the regular season by registering six assists. Matthews led the NLL in scoring as well as in power-play assists (33). Matthews would lead the league in playoff scoring for a third time with 22 points as they Rush knocked off Rochester in the best-of-three NLL Cup Final.
Matthews finished tied for third in league scoring with 105 points in 2019, and put up 54 points in just 10 games during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
The four-time NLL First Team All-Pro has starred on the international stage as well, helping Canada win five consecutive World Indoor Lacrosse Championships and 小蓝视频 named to the All-World Team.
Prior to turning pro with the Rush, Matthews was a standout at Denver University, setting a school with 216 points and 155 goals. He wrapped up his career with the Pioneers on a 45-game scoring streak and earning All-American plus ECAC Offensive Player of the Year honors.
