Merrill And Prout Named To Team Canada
Published on March 10, 2010 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
Edmonton, AB--- It's more about what's on the front of the jersey that counts. That's how Edmonton Rush transition star Brodie Merrill feels about his recent selection to Team Canada's field lacrosse team for the upcoming World Championship in England.
Merrill, along with Rush teammate Gavin Prout, will represent the defending-champion Canadian squad at the 2010 Federation of International Lacrosse championship in Manchester in July. The Rush duo -- both part of the 2006 winning team -- will partake in the five-game round-robin tournament and championship round in the top-tier that features the high-powered United States squad, along with Iroquois Nationals, Australia, Japan and England. While both players have proudly worn the maple leaf on their jersey in the past, the tandem was elated with the announcement to represent Canada again.
"It's an amazing feeling to be able to represent the country, especially fresh off the Olympic Games," Merrill said.
"There's a lot of pride and excitement around sports in Canada and to be able to represent your country internationally is an amazing honour."
"I was definitely happy and excited to be part of this team," said Prout, going into his fourth tour of duty for the red and white. "It's truly an honour to put that sweater over your head and play for your country and for the game that I love the most.
Prout, who'll turn 32-years-old by the time the championship begins, is expected to be play a leadership role this time around as Canada brings a more youthful squad to England, compared to the veteran-laden team in 2006.
"I'm excited to bring my leadership and knowledge to the table and help focus the guys and achieve our goal of reaching gold again," he said.
Canada's first test of the 2010 event is against Japan and the Canucks will then face Team USA in their second contest.
The U.S. squad features Rush forward and field lacrosse stud, Ryan Powell, as well as other National Lacrosse League and Major League Lacrosse stars. And although Canada ended a 28-year drought by defeating the Americans 15-10 in 2006, Team USA is expected to be the favourite again this time around.
"We've beat the U.S. once in 28-years so I'd still consider them the favourites no doubt about that and I look forward to the competition and obstacles that lye ahead," said Prout.
"I would still say we're the underdog heading in even though we won the tournament in 2006," chipped in Merrill, named to the All-World team and the top defender at the last championship. "I think field lacrosse in the U.S. is much further along, but, Canada is catching up, though.
"We've got a new group with a lot of new faces so this is going to be a different experience and we're going to have to come in ready and prepared to have success.
"We're approaching the games as underdogs, but we're going to be there to win it and approach it with quiet confidence," he added.
While Canada and the U.S. are the two perennial powers at the games, Merrill warns others teams represent a stiff challenge on the field as the Iroquois Nationals -- a unit composed of First Nations/Native Americans stars -- along with Australia, will also be tough squads at the tournament.
"We don't want to focus too much on the U.S. and we have to recognize that there are other teams that are going to be very competitive and we'll have to be ready for that," he said. "Especially the Iroquois National team. I kind of compare them to where we were in 2006. They have a lot of young skilled players and present a certain challenge for us and are a dangerous team in the tournament."
In facing the competition, Merrill, 28, will have another very familiar player alongside him this time at the championship as his brother Pat, who plays with the Orlando Titans in the NLL, was named to Team Canada this time around. The siblings from Orangeville, Ont., will pair up on the defensive side of the ball for the Canadian squad and their selection to the team made for special moments for the duo.
"When we found out, that was one of my favourite moments in sports," Brodie said of Pat's inclusion on the team. "It was a very emotional day for us. It was his third time trying out for the team and he had a great tryout and was able to make the team. It's going to be a real special moment for us to play together and represent our country."
Mammoth hunting
The Rush, coming off a bye week of play, travel to Colorado this weekend with a matchup against division-rival Mammoth at the Pepsi Center.
While the game provides an opportunity for Edmonton (5-3) to remain in the hunt for top-spot in the division, the March 13 contest also represents other story-lines as former Mammoth captain and all-time scoring leader Gavin Prout returns to Denver for the second time since his summer trades and previous Rush head coach/GM Bob Hamley is now an assistant coach at Colorado.
"We just have to focus on doing what's best for our team and we can't let our emotions get out of control," said Prout, who has 34 points this year for Edmonton.
"That barn can be pretty crazy with 15,000 people yelling and screaming, so we have to keep things at an even keel and try to keep their crowd out of it."
The Mammoth, at 2-5 in the standings, are also searching for their first win at home after starting this season with an 0-4 mark on home turf.
"We're going to need to be at our best this weekend," said assistant captain Merrill. "I don't think their record is a true reflection of who they are as a team.
"They're a young team with a lot of talent and Colorado is one of the toughest places to play in the league and it really surprises me that they haven't got a home win."
"I'm sure they're going to be real hungry and although it may not look like it, I think this may be one of our biggest tests of the year," he added.
Edmonton returns home March 20 for a 7 p.m. start against the Boston Blazers as mixed-martial-arts legend and Rush fan Randy Couture will be at Rexall Place.
The Rush will host a news conference Friday, March 19 at 3:00 p.m. at River Cree with Randy Couture.
National Lacrosse League Stories from March 10, 2010
- Orlando Titans Game Notes - Orlando Titans
- Amerks And Knighthawks Raise Over $54,000 For CF Of Rochester - Rochester Knighthawks
- Merrill And Prout Named To Team Canada - Edmonton Rush
- Minnesota Swarm Hope To Extend Winning Streak To Four - Minnesota Swarm
- Washington Stealth Travel To Calgary For Important West Division Battle - Washington Stealth
- Steenhuis And Clancy Receive NLL Weekly Honors - Buffalo Bandits
- Mark Steenhuis Named Overall Player Of The Week - NLL
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