YORKTON - The Saskatchewan Rush have signed 2023 first round pick Levi Anderson to a one-year contract.
“It’s been a dream of mine to play in the NLL. I grew up watching the (Calgary) Roughnecks and Saskatchewan,” Anderson told Yorkton This Week. “When it came to fruition it was surreal.”
Anderson, from Calgary, Alberta, makes the jump up to the National Lacrosse League after spending the summer in the PLL with the Maryland Whipsnakes, where he posted nine goals and four assists in seven games.
“That was fun,” Anderson said of the time in the PLL, adding while he aspired to play in the NLL, playing pro field was a great experience.
“Box has always been my first love of the sport.”
Now with a contract signed Anderson said he looks forward to the NLL experience and helping the Rush.
“I do enjoy the transition game,” he said in describing his game, adding he feels he has “a strong skill set,” that he is willing to utilize in any way the coaches want – “wherever a spot is open.”
Rush General Manager Derek Keenan said he thinks the team has a special player in Anderson.
“We think Levi will bring some versatility to our left side,” he said in a team release. “He’s a big, strong, skilled athlete. We think he can fill a variety of roles and at some point will likely be a top end offensive player in the NLL.”
During his college career at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, the 6’4 215 lbs forward had 140 goals in 69 NCAA games.
In juniors, Anderson spent time in the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League with the Okotoks Raiders, where he helped the team reach the 2018 Minto Cup, where he had four goals and five assists in four games. At the senior B level, Levi suited up for the Edmonton Miners at the 2023 Presidents Cup where he had 38 points in eight games playing with Mike Triolo, noted the release.
Anderson said it was in Calgary that he learned the game, although as a youth he played others as well, noting as “most Canadians” he started playing hockey, “and a lot of baseball in the summer.”
But he found the diamond game too slow, and hockey rather expensive for the family.
“Lacrosse was a bit more manageable for me and my family,” he said.
In seeking out lacrosse Anderson found his sport passion.
“I loved it, but I wasn’t very good at it. But, I just wanted to get that stick in my hands,” he said.
Anderson stuck with it, and improved markedly.
“I played a lot of lacrosse, mostly indoor,” he said.
Anderson said he was always a youth that wanted to be on the go.
“Lacrosse kind of complimented my demeanour,” he said.
Now Anderson is just in prep mode following the PLL season where his Whipsnakes lost in the championship final to the Archers, and prior to the Rush camp.
“I’m training everyday,” he said, noting that often means putting in some ear buds and a play list for about half an hour of ‘wall ball’ just him throwing a ball against a wall and catching it.
“It’s always been so easy for me to go find a wall,” he said, adding the effort improves stick skills but also provides “time to reflect and think about what’s happening in life.”
The 12th overall pick will step foot in Saskatoon when training camp opens on Nov.1.
