YORKTON – The Saskatchewan Rush are on the eve of the start of the 2025-26 National Lacrosse League season, and that means players are vying for spots on the opening night roster through training camp.
Among the hopefuls is Levi Verch, the first of five players selected by the Rush in the 2025 NLL Entry Draft.
Verch said his selection13th overall by Saskatchewan was unexpected.
“To be completely honest I would say no,” he told Yorkton This Week in response to be asked if he was waiting for the Rush to call his name. “. . . They were one of the teams I hadn’t talked too.”
But the Rush are a team the 6’2 left-handed defender from Victoria, BC, who spent the 2025 season with Saint Joseph’s Hawks (in Philadelphia) recording 28 caused turnovers in 15 games, is happy to now be part of.
Verch said “the general age of this team and the success they had last year,” makes it a team he feels he can both fit into and have success with.
With Saint Joseph’s Verch of course played field – being a long stick with the Hawks.
So how does he see the transition back to a normal stick in the NLL?
“For me, just because of growing up in Canada and playing box . . . for me I find it’s always easier to go back to box,” he said.
However, Verch also has some notable success in field to draw on as he embarks on his NLL career.
For example Verch was one of 24 on Team Canada at the 2022 World Lacrosse Men’s U21 World Championship in Ireland, where the team lost 12-10 to the USA in the gold medal game.
Verch said experience of course helps.
“Any experience you can have at a high level is very important,” he said, adding it is those things which build inner confidence.
That confidence extended to his college game, and from there he was selected 13th by the Carolina Chaos in the Premier Lacrosse League, spending the summer in the pro field loop.
“I’m super excited to get past training camp,” said Verch, adding he hopes by then he has earned a regular season look.
Verch also recognized making the opening night roster is a challenge with 10-12 players in camp “fighting for none, or 10 game day spots.”
While there is competition Verch said he has also been impressed with a team-first attitude across the roster with veterans and rookies all willing to share ways that others might improve.
In terms of what he hopes will earn him a spot Verch said with his size he likes to play physical, with a focus on doing things right in his own end first.
In his own case Verch has a simple initial goal.
He said he always starts with the idea “to get on the field first, get in the box first,” adding you have to be playing to take any other step.
“From there I’m just trying to learn a much as I can, to gain more experience in the box game as much as I can.”
The Rush season starts Dec. 6, with the Battle of the Prairies as the team hosts the Calgary Roughnecks. At home last season, Calgary stole the win 10- 6 off a 56-save performance from goaltender Nick Rose.
