Jax Announce 23-Man Roster

December 18, 2008 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Portland Lumberjax News Release


PORTLAND, December 18, 2008 - Head Coach/General Manager Derek Keenan announced the 2009, 23-man active roster for the Portland LumberJax today. 14 players return from last season's final 23-man roster.

"I like the way our roster sets up," said Keenan. "We are solid in goal and have a big, tough, mobile defense with tremendous transition skills. Up front we have a nice combination of grinders and skill players."

All-Star forward Ryan Powell and All-Star defenseman Brodie Merrill highlight the solid nucleus that returns to defend Portland's West Division Title. Powell and Merrill are once again joined by defenseman Bruce Alexander, transition player Tyler Codron, forward Cory Conway, goalie Matt Disher, forward Peter Jacobs, defenseman Pat Jones, forward Derek Malawsky, defenseman David Morgan, forward Peter Morgan, defenseman Richard Morgan, forward Scott Stewart and goalie Joel Weber.

Five rookies join Portland's squad this season and will all compete for playing time. Forward Tim Campeau was a First Round Draft Pick (12th Overall) in the Entry Draft after graduating as Notre Dame de Namur University's career leader in goals scored (106), assists (128) and points (234). Campeau is a 5'9" speed burner who will quickly make his mark in the National Lacrosse League.

"I would put Campeau in the grinder category," said Keenan. "He's really quick and is a tireless worker without the ball. He will get his share of goals, but he's also the type of kid that will sacrifice his body to get his teammates open or to get to that all important loose ball in the offensive end."

Rookie Transition player Matt Yager is an all-around good athlete and rookie defenseman Dayne Michaud adds additional depth on the back line. Rookie goalie Matt Flindell is one of three goalies on the team and rookie Jamison Koesterer is one of seven players who are 6'3" or taller.

"I like defensive players who take up space, but I wouldn't say that I've spent my time beating the bushes looking for trees to fill our roster," said Keenan. "I look for solid defensive players and the fact that a lot of them are big men is more coincidence than anything."

Also new to the roster this season are three players with championship experience under their belts. Forward Dan Stroup has won four Champion's Cups (1999, 2000, 2002 and 2006) and was the Most Valuable Player of the 2000 Champion's Cup. Stroup was with the Edmonton Rush last season, scoring 21 goals and adding 21 assists.

Forward Matt Brown was with the Arizona Sting in 2007 when they lost in the Championship Game and provides another left-handed scoring threat for the potent Jax attack. Brown scored three goals and added three assists last season for the Colorado Mammoth.

Defenseman Luke Forget returns to Portland after playing for the team during the inaugural season in 2006. Forget has won Champion's Cups with the 2005 Toronto Rock and 2007 Rochester Knighthawks.

"The best way to describe Luke is not a whole lot of flash, but a lot of substance", said Keenan. "He is a smart, solid defender who is good with the ball in transition. He rarely makes a mistake with the ball."

Forward Derek Lowe split last season between the active practice roster. The two-year veteran will once again compete for time on the offensive end.



National Lacrosse League Stories from December 18, 2008


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