It was back in December 2019 when the Warriors announced the signing of then unrestricted free agent defenseman Mydske to a multi-year agreement.
“Brett Mydske is one of the premier defensemen in the National Lacrosse League and we are proud to welcome him home,” stated General Manager Dan Richardson in an article on the team website at the time of the signing. “When Brett becomes a part of our lineup, he will solidify our back end and make us a tough team to play against. We are excited that Brett chose Vancouver and chose to become a Warrior.”
For Mydske, 31, it was a case of going home to play as he resides in New Westminster.
But, it was also a huge move as Mydske had spent his entire 10-year career with the Edmonton/Saskatchewan Rush, helping the Rush to three NLL championships.
“Some of the Rush years are my best memories of lacrosse, but I’m looking forward to a new start, a new team,” he said in an interview this week.
Mydske admitted putting on a Warrior jersey will be different.
“I’ve been thinking about this for a long time,” he said, adding in the end the move was simply a better fit for his family, and career. Plus, it was “a chance to play in front of family and friends every night.”
And, ultimately Mydske is just excited to be back playing.
“I think the last time I played a game was two and half years ago,” he said.
Mydske didn’t play at the beginning of the COVID-19-shortened 2019-20 NLL season as he had committed to a new career with the Burnaby Fire Department, with his duties beginning in January 2020. He was unavailable to play for the Warriors until the beginning of the 2020-21 season which of course was cancelled too.
“It’s been a while for me,” he reiterated, then adding he feels the extended time off has helped.
Mydske said for a lot of NLL veterans it’s been a case “of playing year-round competitively since we were 10-12 years old.” That constant play takes a toll, but the time-off has helped rejuvenate the body.
“I feel like a rookie again.”
So, what does he expect from the Warriors, a team that has struggled to find its way into the playoffs of late.
“It’s a new start,” he said, adding he sees the team as being ready to be a competitive one.
Asked what makes him feel the team is ready to take a step Mydske said, “it’s just the vibe in the room,” which suggests the team is ready.
A couple of new faces will help, first round draft choices Reid Bowering second overall from 2020 and Adam Charalambides fourth overall in 2021.
“They’re going to make an immediate impact,” said Mydske, adding both look poised to become NLL stars.
Having two high draft choices ready to step in and play is big for the Warrior franchise, said Mydske.
“They never had a first round draft choice in seven years,” he said, adding previous management “ended up trading all the draft picks.”
Mydske is at the other end of the spectrum, a veteran who will be looked to steady the ship.
In his 10 NLL seasons, Mydske has played 170 games, scoring 34 goals and adding 43 assists for 77 points and 202 penalty minutes. Mydske has also scooped up 560 loose balls in his career and has caused 171 turnovers.
He likes the mix on the team, adding he expects a team that shows speed in transition, offers balance on offence, and works hard.
Wearing the ‘C’ will be part of Mydske’s role to make it work every night.
As for having the ‘C’ before playing a game, Mydske said it was a bit of a surprise, but added he knew coaching staff, and players respected him and for them to “support me like this is not something I take lightly . . . It’s definitely something I look forward to.”
