Brodie Merrill Named NLL Transition Player of the Year
June 24, 2017 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Toronto Rock News Release
Oakville, ON - The National Lacrosse League today announced Toronto Rock captain Brodie Merrill as the league's Transition Player of the Year. The honour is the third for Merrill, a new league record.
"I'm honoured to be recognized by the NLL," said Merrill. "Transition was really encouraged and a big part of our team approach this season. We had so many different players step up in this area and I view this as a team award."
Merrill's third season in Toronto might have been his best, assuming the prime leadership role with the team as the captain following the retirement of Colin Doyle. He led by example and was the anchor of a rebuilt defence that was instrumental in pacing the Rock to a 9-9 record and a return to the playoffs in 2017 after finishing 5-13 and missing the post-season a year prior.
The 35-year old from Orangeville, ON won his first two Transition Player of the Year Awards in back to back seasons in 2009 and 2010. Merrill earned those honours for two different teams, the first with the Portland Lumberjax and the second with the Edmonton Rush.
Merrill edged out New England's Jay Thorimbert and two-time Transition Player of the Year Award winner Jordan MacIntosh of the Georgia Swarm for this year's award. The future hall of famer is no stranger to individual awards, winning the league's Defensive Player of the Year and the league's Rookie of the Year in 2006.
The perennial loose ball human vacuum scooped up 171 loose balls to lead the Rock and also lead the NLL among non-faceoff men. Merrill contributed seven goals and 12 assists for 19 points and caused 29 turnovers in 18 regular season games in 2017.
The NLL Awards continue on Sunday with Rock freshmen Tom Schreiber and Latrell Harris both among the finalists for this year's Rookie of the Year Award.
2018 Season Tickets are also on sale now. Please visit torontorock.com/tickets or call 416-596-3075 to purchase or for more information
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National Lacrosse League Stories from June 24, 2017
- Brodie Merrill Named NLL Transition Player of the Year - Toronto Rock
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