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Jax Finalize Roster

December 13, 2007 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Portland Lumberjax News Release


PORTLAND, December 13, 2007 - Head Coach/General Manager Derek Keenan announced the 2008, 23-man active roster for the Portland LumberJax today. Highlighting the roster is an offensive infusion led by National Lacrosse League scoring machine, forward Dan Dawson.

Dawson, who was picked up by the Jax with the first pick in the 2007 NLL Dispersal Draft, brings a loaded resume that includes 47 goals and 60 assists during the 2007 season. One of Dawson's right-hand men, forward Derek Malawsky, also joins the Jax this season after being selected in the second round (No. 24) of the 2007 NLL Dispersal Draft. Malawsky, nicknamed "Merlin" for his magic with a stick, scored 20 goals and added 35 assists last season during the Arizona Sting's run to the Champion's Cup Final.

12 players return to the active squad from last season's team. Goalies Dallas Eliuk and Matt King are back and will compete for playing time. Defensemen Ian Crashley, Ray Guze, Pat Jones, Brodie Merrill, and Rich Morgan all return to anchor a stout defense. The transition game will once again feature Adam Bysouth and Scott Stapleford.

Forwards Matt Holman, Ryan Powell and Peter Morgan all return to help lead an offense that struggled much of last season. To address the offensive woes, Keenan added seven new forwards that instantly bring proven scoring dimensions to the team.

Another familiar face on the offensive end is forward Scott Stewart, who played with the Jax in the early stages of the 2006 season. Stewart was re-acquired by the Jax this offseason after honing his game for the Minnesota Swarm. Stewart will be joined by another Swarm forward from last season, Spencer Martin, who was acquired by the Jax in an Entry draft-day trade. A tough, physical forward with a defensive mindset, Martin adds another component to a talented offense.

Other new forwards include draft picks Cory Conway and Peter Jacobs and former San Jose Stealth player Derek Lowe. Conway and Jacobs were both drafted in the second round of the Entry Draft (No.'s 16 and 24, respectfully). Lowe appeared in two games for the Stealth during the 2004 season, tallying one assist.

As if the roster does not seem loaded enough, the Jax also welcome their 2007 first-round draft pick (No. 6 overall) into the fold, transition player Tyler Codron. One of the best athletes on the team, Codron adds additional speed on special teams for the third year team.

On the defensive end, the Jax have added two new defensemen that will provide even more support. Mike Kilby was acquired with Martin by the Jax and Brad MacDonald was selected in the third round of the Dispersal Draft (No. 25) by the Jax.

The Jax have even added a third goalie, Joel Weber, who was a fourth round selection in the Entry Draft (No. 44). The rookie Weber will have an opportunity to learn the in's and out's of the game from two of the premier NLL goalies in Eliuk and King.

The active Jax roster breakdown includes: 10 forwards, seven defensemen, three transition players and three goalies. Teams may dress up to 18 players (16 runners and two goalies) per game.

"We don't have any holes in any area of our lineup," said Keenan. "That's how we structured the team and it's ultimately what we accomplished."

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