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Saskatchewan Rush sold but staying in Saskatoon
May 12, 2021
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Philadelphia, Pa, and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, May 10, 2021 – The National Lacrosse League (@NLL), the largest has announced today that the Priestner Sports Corporation has acquired the Saskatchewan Rush from owner Bruce Urban. The group, led by Mike Priestner, the owner of Go Auto, a Deloitte Best Managed Company that spans 47 car dealerships across Canada as well as the owner Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League, takes over the club effective today, solidifying the Rush’s position in Saskatchewan for the long term. Colin Priestner will act as the team’s Governor while continuing his role as the GM/President of the Blades, while Jared Priestner will serve as Alternate Governor. All lacrosse operations will continue to be run by Rush GM Derek Keenan. “This is a transitional and progressive day…
The Saskatchewan Rush relocated to the city from Edmonton in 2016. The team won the NLL championship twice, in 2016 and 2018.
The company is headed by Mike Priestner, a former WHL goalie who also owns Go Auto, a car dealership with 47 locations across the country.
The team will continue to be run by general manager Derek Keenan.
Keenan said it will be business as usual on the field. We re going to put a really good product on the floor, said Keenan. That s my responsibility and I don t plan on taking the foot off the gas.
The Saskatchewan Rush have won two NLL titles since moving from Edmonton to Saskatoon in 2016.(Liam Richards/The Canadian Press)
Regina / 980 CJME
Apr 22, 2021 5:22 AM
The Saskatoon Blades are winding down one of it s best campaigns in the unusual 24-game hub season. (Saskatoon Blades/Twitter)
This isn’t the end to the season Saskatoon Blades general manager Colin Priestner had in mind.
With the Western Hockey League officially cancelling the 2021 playoffs Monday, the team’s orchestrater is left wondering what could have been for his potential championship-calibre roster.
“It’s obviously bittersweet. We’re proud of what we’ve done in a short period of time here. We would have been a strong contender had there been a long playoff run,” Priestner said.