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Dallas Eliuk at Home in Portland

July 31, 2007 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Portland Lumberjax News Release


Nearly three years after relocating from Philadelphia to Portland, LumberJax goalie Dallas Eliuk is putting it all together. The 42-year-old goalie has embraced the West Coast move and has been able to effectively slow his life down rather easily.

After 15 years in the league, Eliuk was looking for a change of scenery and a closer location to his hometown of Vancouver, British Columbia. When Portland was awarded a National Lacrosse League franchise in 2005, an opportunity was presented that Eliuk could not refuse.

"In life, I have found it most enjoyable to live in the moment," said Eliuk. "Philly was great, but that's history. Portland is a better fit for me and closer to my father's residence in B.C."

Moving across the country presented initial doubts and apprehension, but feelings of optimism outweighed. An opportunity to be closer to home and be the face for a new franchise rested in Eliuk's mind as he moved across three time zones.

"Change and the unknown can be scary, but also exciting," said Eliuk. "I looked at it as a new challenge."

In professional sports, expansion franchises initially suffer in the win column, but the LumberJax proved to be an exception. In the 2006 season, the Jax went 11-5 and lost to the Arizona Sting in the first round of the Champion's Cup Playoffs. Eliuk played an instrumental role in terms of veteran leadership and his time between the pipes.

Eliuk posted one of his best years statistically by allowing 11.09 goals per game and stopping 76.80% of opponent shots. His transition in the NLL on the field and in the community was made possible by an organization that welcomes many new faces each year and a Portland community that loves professional sports.

The real challenge was a sophomore slump that the Jax incurred. A disappointing 2007 season resulted in a 4-12 record and a last place finish in the Western Division. Even with the team struggling on the field, Eliuk kept a positive attitude and always remained optimistic.

"We struggled for much of the season last year," said Eliuk. "Like any sport, a new season always provides another opportunity for success. I am thrilled to have the chance to help write another successful chapter for the franchise."

Now entering his third full season with the Jax, Eliuk has finally settled in. He's within driving distance of his childhood home in B.C. and enjoying the summer in Portland.

While his time is limited due to playing for the Western Lacrosse Association's Coquitlam Adanacs, Eliuk has doubled his duties and has been working as the Community Relations Manager for the Jax. By conducting lacrosse clinics in neighborhood parks or making charitable donations and public appearances for the organization, Eliuk has worked to integrate the Jax in the local community.

"Playing for the Adanacs has limited my time due to traveling back-and-forth," said Eliuk. "Promoting lacrosse is a great passion of mine and working with kids is as good as it gets for me."

As he continues to play and promote lacrosse, Eliuk realizes he's approaching the end of a fruitful career. Remaining in Portland is his first option, and continuing to work for the Jax would only add icing on the cake.

"Ideally, I would like to stay here and work in the front office or in a coaching/management position," said Eliuk.

Slipping out the door to prepare for an upcoming game with the Adanacs, Eliuk offered his secret for successfully living in Portland.

"I fell in love with a local and invested in an umbrella and water resistant shoes."

Sounds simple enough?

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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