THE CANADIAN PRESS
EDMONTON — The Edmonton Rush dealt captain Brodie Merrill, the 2010 National Lacrosse League’s transition player of the year, in a six-player deal with the Philadelphia Wings on Tuesday.
The Rush also sent forwards Dean Hill and Mike McLellan as well as a 2011 fifth-round pick and 2013 fourth-round selection to the Wings. In return, Edmonton acquired goaltender Brodie MacDonald and forwards Athan Iannucci and Alex Turner in addition to 2012, 2013 and 2014 first-round draft selections.
"Trading Brodie Merrill was the most difficult move I have ever made in my many, many years of involvement in lacrosse," said Edmonton GM/head coach Derek Keegan. "He is the consummate professional and a tremendous leader.
"However on a personal level for Brodie this is a good move for him. With his involvement with the Hill Academy, a family-operated prep school in North Toronto, it was becoming more and more difficult for him to travel and play in the West Division. Although difficult, this is a good trade for the Rush, for Brodie and I think for the Philadelphia Wings as well."
Merrill is a two-time winner of the NLL’s transition player of the year award. He appeared in 32 games over two seasons with the Rush and was named the team’s MVP in both of his years there.
"I have a little bit of mixed emotions because I’ll be leaving behind good friends, teammates and coaches in Edmonton," said Merrill. "But I’m very excited to be moving closer to home, joining the Philadelphia Wings and helping the team return to the playoffs."
Iannucci scored a league-record 71 goals during the 2008 season. After missing all of the 2010 campaign with a knee injury, he led the Wings in scoring last year with 29 goals and 32 assists.
Iannucci, a native of Port Moody, B.C., has scored 153 goals in just 54 career regular-season NLL games. He was the eighth pick overall in the ’07 entry draft and scored 30 goals in his rookie season.
Turner had 17 goals and 22 assists last season. The six-foot, 200-pound native of Kamloops, B.C., was drafted 32nd overall by San Jose in the 2009 entry draft.
MacDonald is regarded as a solid goaltending prospect after being selected 19th overall in the 2010 entry draft by the Wings.
Hill appeared in 24 games over two seasons with the Rush, registering 28 goals and 51 points.