The Saskatchewan Rush are pleased to announce the signing of 2016 NLL Defender of the Year Ryan Dilks to a new one-year deal.

“Ryan has been one of our leaders since the first day he put on a Rush uniform. He’s a tenacious, smart and quick defender with the ability to create lightning-fast turnovers. He’s a loose ball hawk and very savvy in transition.” – GM Derek Keenan

Dilks, who grew up in Hamilton, Ontario, and now makes his home in Edmonton, Alberta, had a breakout season in 2016, leading the league with 51 caused turnovers and ultimately ending teammate Kyle Rubisch’s four-year reign as the NLL’s Defensive Player of the Year. That season also saw Dilks set career-highs with five goals, 13 assists and 18 points. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder led the NLL again last season with 27 caused turnovers in only 10 games.

Dilks was originally drafted in 2010 by Boston, but joined the Rush one year later via the 2012 NLL Dispersal Draft. He immediately began to emerge as a defensive stalwart and on-turf leader. Through 142 regular-season games, Dilks has totaled 28 goals and 55 assists for 83 points along with 541 loose balls and 206 caused turnovers. His regular-season numbers include eight shorthanded goals and nine shorthanded assists. He has added 14 points, 102 loose balls and 44 caused turnovers in 25 playoff games.