By Saskatchewan Rush ,

The Saskatchewan Rush have announced a major trade today as the two-time defending National Lacrosse League champions acquired star forward Adam Jones from the Colorado Mammoth in exchange for forward Zack Greer.

The two teams also exchanged draft picks in the deal. Colorado gets Saskatchewan’s ninth overall selection in the 2016 NLL Entry Draft which takes place later this month, while the Rush receive the Mammoth’s second-round pick in the 2017 Entry Draft.

In Jones, the Rush land one of the NLL’s top offensive talents, who set career-highs with 51 goals, 42 assists and 93 points during the 2015 season. He became just the fourth player in Mammoth history to reach the 50-goal plateau, and his 93 points put him tied for eighth in league scoring. Despite missing four games last season, Jones still struck for 42 goals, six of those coming in the fourth quarter of a wild comeback victory over Vancouver. Here is a link to his game winning goal with one second left: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l4mbaKkzFY

“Adam is an outstanding player who will be an excellent catalyst for our offence,” said Rush GM/head coach Derek Keenan.

“It is not easy trading a player with the skills and character of Zack Greer, but he will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2017 season and we have to mindful of the future. Adam is three years younger. He has already proven to be an elite offensive talent in the NLL and there is even more upside to come.”

Greer spent the past six seasons with the Rush and is coming off his second consecutive 40-goal campaign. He will be fondly remembered by the Rush fans for his seven-goal game against Calgary as well as several key goals during the Rush’s run to a second straight Champion’s Cup.

“Zack was an electrifying player for the Rush and a first-class person,” said Rush owner/governor Bruce Urban. “The fans and the entire organization offer a tremendous thank you and heartfelt best wishes to Zack.

“While we say good-bye to Zack, we want to enthusiastically welcome Adam Jones to the Rush and to Saskatchewan. Adam is a thrilling player to watch and we expect he will become even more dynamic playing alongside his new teammates with the Rush.”

Jones has some familiarity with a number of Rush players and coach Keenan. He played with Kyle Rubisch and Mark Matthews on Canada’s gold medal-winning entry at the 2014 World Field Lacrosse Championship, and played for Keenan along with Rubisch, Matthews, Chris Corbeil, Brett Mydske, Ryan Dilks, and Aaron Bold on Team Canada which won its third straight World Indoor Lacrosse Championship in 2015.

Like Greer in 2009, Jones was a third overall pick in the NLL Entry Draft, and he immediately showcased his offensive flair during his first pro season in 2012. He was named the NLL’s Rookie of the Year and earned a spot on the All-Rookie Team as he scored 29 goals and added 47 assists for 76 points. The Owen Sound, Ontario, product was named to the NLL All-Pro Second Team in both 2014 and 2015, and through 75 career regular-season games, he has registered 194 goals and 180 assists for 374 points. He has twice scored seven goals in a game including one against the Rush in 2014.

Prior to turning pro, Jones won two Minto Cup championships with Orangeville (Ontario) and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player in 2009. He was also named Tournament MVP at the 2008 World U-19 Field Lacrosse Championship. Jones went on to play in the NCAA for Canisius College and earned All-American honours in his freshman season.

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