Jax Merrill 2007 NLL looseball leader
April 18, 2007 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Portland Lumberjax News Release
PORTLAND, April 18, 2007 - Despite seeing action in only 15 games this season, Portland LumberJax defenseman Brodie Merrill came away with the National Lacrosse League's (NLL) 2007 looseball title. Merrill collected 196 looseballs this season and was followed by the Rochester Knighthawks' Steve Toll and the Philadelphia Wings' Geoff Snider who each scooped up 177.
"Going after the looseballs is a part of my game that I take a lot of pride in," Merrill explained. "There are many great players out there that I have to go up against."
Merrill becomes the first player other than Jim Veltman to win the looseball crown since John Tavares claimed it in 1997 (Veltman did not play in 1997). Since looseball statistics started being kept in 1992, Veltman has won the title 13 of the last 14 seasons he's been in the league. Despite only competing in 13 games this year due to injury, Veltman was still able to capture fourth place with 143 looseballs.
"It is an accomplishment that I really respect, because Veltman is a player that I have always looked up to," Merrill explained. "So I am honored to have beaten him this year."
Plagued with a hamstring injury, Merrill came just 18 shy of his 2006 mark of 214. During the Jan. 13 game against Philadelphia and the Feb. 17 Rochester match up, Merrill was able to scoop up 18 balls which set and tied his 2007 season high. Merrill's career high of 26 loose balls came against Edmonton on April 2, 2006. Last season, Merrill became only the second player in NLL history to collect more than 200 looseballs in a single season (Veltman took first with 226).
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National Lacrosse League Stories from April 18, 2007
- Sting Set To Battle The Calgary Roughnecks In West Division Semifinal On Saturday - Arizona Sting
- Minnesota Swarm's Nick Patterson Named NLL Defensive Player of the Week - Minnesota Swarm
- Roughnecks Practice Open To Public - Calgary Roughnecks
- Knighthawks' Steve Toll Wins Weekly Award - Rochester Knighthawks
- Jax Merrill 2007 NLL looseball leader - Portland Lumberjax
- Lacrosse Young Guns To Duel At The Saddledome - Calgary Roughnecks
- Luke Wiles Named Offensive And Overall Player Of The Week - San Jose Stealth
- Wiles Captures Player Of The Week Award - NLL
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