The Saskatchewan Rush have solidified their goaltending for the next two National Lacrosse League seasons as General Manager/Head Coach Derek Keenan announced today the re-signing of Evan Kirk to a new deal.
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鈥淲e are really happy to have Kirky on board for another two seasons,鈥� said Keenan. 鈥淗e鈥檚 a proven winner.
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鈥淭his is another off-season step to getting back to being a championship caliber team.鈥�
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Kirk will be heading into his ninth NLL season and third with the Rush.
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鈥淓xcited is an understatement to be able to re-sign as a member of the Rush,鈥� said Kirk. 鈥淭he best teammates, staff and fans in the league made it an easy decision, and I can鈥檛 wait to start next season.鈥�
Kirk was acquired by the Rush prior to the start of the 2018 season from the New England Black Wolves in exchange for a multi-player package. The Orangeville, Ontario, product immediately paid high dividends for the Rush as he posted a league-leading 12 wins and placed second amongst netminders with a 10.82 goals-against average. That spring, Kirk sparkled in the NLL Cup playoffs, registering three wins and helped push the Rush to their third league title.
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This past season, Kirk missed five games due to a lower-body injury, but still managed six wins, including a 44-save effort in the regular-season finale against Colorado.
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In 2016, Kirk was named the NLL鈥檚 Goaltender of the Year and earned a spot on the All-Pro First Team as he led the league with 620 saves and finished second in both wins (9) and save-percentage (.789).
Kirk was originally selected sixth overall in the 2011 NLL Entry Draft by the Minnesota Swarm and went on to earn a spot on the 2012 NLL All-Rookie Team. He played one more season with the Swarm before being traded to Philadelphia and then moving with the franchise to New England the following year.
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The eight-year veteran has compiled a 51-46 record and .767 save-percentage in regular-season play and has a 5-4 all-time mark in the playoffs.
