Saskatchewan Rattlers Announce Assistant Coaches for 2024

March 1, 2024

Saskatoon, Sask. - The Saskatchewan Rattlers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Wednesday that Eric Magdanz, Rob Lovelace and Steve Burrows have been named assistant coaches on Larry Abney’s staff for the 2024 season. Abney, who has seven-years of experience with the Los Angeles Clippers organization, was named Head Coach of the Rattlers on February 15.

Magdanz returns for his third season with the Rattlers. In his first two seasons, he helped lead the team to a regular season record of 19-21. During the 2022 CEBL postseason, the Rattlers secured a quarterfinal berth after beating two-time CEBL champion Edmonton Stingers (94-91) at the SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, SK. They also held a league-best home record of 8-2 in 2022.

A local of Lloydminster, Alberta, Magdanz grew up playing high school basketball, which led him to play at the U SPORTS level at McMaster University (2005-2009). He served as an assistant coach with the University of Alberta for two seasons (2010-2012) leading the 2012 team to a CanWest Championship and a second-place finish in the U SPORTS final. Magdanz went on to serve as head coach of MacEwan University for seven seasons. In the 2019 inaugural CEBL season, Magdanz secured an assistant coach title for the Edmonton Stingers. He has worked alongside Basketball Alberta, Basketball Saskatchewan, and the Senior Women’s National Team in a variety of roles. During his downtime, he has helped the Saskatchewan Rattlers with their youth basketball programs.

“I’m grateful to have the opportunity to return to the Rattlers,” said Coach Magdanz. “I look forward to working with Coach Abney as we bring a championship back to Saskatchewan.”

A local of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Lovelace transitioned into an assistant coaching role in 2023 after two seasons of being a part of the Saskatchewan Rattlers and CEBL Broadcast Team alongside Simon Hiatt, Heather Morrison, and Ryan Flaherty. Prior to working in basketball, Lovelace played at the U SPORTS level for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies in 2001. He finished his fifth season sitting in the top 20 for career points and the top 10 for minutes playedand eventually returned to the Huskies as an assistant coach under current Rattlers General Manager Barry Rawlyk in 2011 for two seasons. Lovelace is the current President of Basketball Saskatchewan. During his downtime, he assists Living Skies Basketball and Saskatchewan Rattlers with their youth basketball programs.

“I am thrilled and deeply grateful to return as an assistant coach for the Saskatchewan Rattlers,” said Coach Lovelace. “It’s an honor to work alongside such talented players, coaches, and staff. I can’t wait to contribute to our shared success on and off the court.”

A local of Regina, Saskatchewan, Burrows grew up playing high school basketball which led him to play at the U SPORTS level at University of Regina. He has served as Head Coach of the University of Regina Cougars since the 2013-14 season. Under Coach Burrows, the Cougars have competed in a Canada West Final Four (2022) and they advanced to the conference quarterfinals in 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2022. The team has seen a great deal of regular season success in recent years, finishing sixth and fourth in the 17-team Canada West standings in 2017-18 and 2018-19, respectively, while also placing first in the East Division with a 12-4 record during the COVID-shortened 2021-22 campaign.

Prior to being hired as the head coach, Burrows had been an assistant coach with the men’s team since the 1994-95 season. He also served double duty for six seasons when he also held the title as assistant coach for the women's team. Burrows helped guide the men's team to three appearances in the Canada West Final Four over a four-year span from 2003 to 2006. That time was punctuated by a historic 16-4 season in 2005-06 as the Cougars went undefeated on their home court during the conference schedule and set a program record for most wins in a single year. With the women's team, Burrows helped the program reach unprecedented heights including appearances in five CIS Championship tournaments. Outside of coaching with the Regina Cougars, Burrows has coached seven provincial basketball teams, and served as Director of Coaching Development for Basketball Saskatchewan from 2010 to 2013.

“I am very thankful for the opportunity to be a part of a professional basketball team in my home province,” said Coach Burrows. “I know the entire organization is committed to putting a championship caliber team. I look forward to assisting Coach Abney and the rest of the staff.”

“We are really happy with the coaching staff that we put together for the 2024 season. Eric and Rob proved to be excellent assets to the organization last year; they are local to Saskatchewan, they have had experiences as coaches and players, and they have demonstrated the ability to work with professional-level players,” said General Manager and Vice-President of Basketball Operations, Barry Rawlyk. “By adding Steve to the staff takes us to a whole new level. He is highly respected in all of U SPORTS. His interpersonal skills will translate perfectly to working with professionals. I am personally looking forward to working with all of them to help Larry build a winning culture in Saskatchewan.”

Canadian Elite Basketball League free agency opened on February 1, 2024 with player announcements to follow.

The full 2024 Rattlers schedule has been released, which features a full 20-game slate with one potential home playoff game and Championship Weekend (CW24) happening in Montréal, QC from August 9-11, 2024.

General public and returning season ticket members can claim their seats for the entire Rattlers 2024 season by using Account Manager. Season tickets range from $175 in the value section to $850 for courtside row 2 (All row 1 options are sold out). Single Game Tickets are available by utilizing the Flex Ticket Bundles. All tickets can also be purchased through the Rattlers Front Office (306) 244-2181, Saskatchewan Rattlers website, or via Ticketmaster. Single game tickets will be available later this spring. For more seating options, suites, and group rates; fans can contact an account executive.

About the Saskatchewan Rattlers
The Saskatchewan Rattlers are Saskatchewan’s professional basketball team, one of the six

original teams in the CEBL – the Rattlers won the 2019 inaugural season championship. Playing out of SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – the Rattlers offer an entertainment-focused environment surrounded by some of the world’s top professional athletes. The Rattlers are a community-first organization and take pride in their ability to bring communities together while making sport more accessible to the province.

About the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL)
A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 73% of its 2023 rosters being Canadian. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Fourteen players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.

For more information on the Saskatchewan Rattlers professional basketball team - visit therattlers.ca

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