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National Lacrosse League

Merrill named Rookie of the Year; All-Rookie Team announced

May 9, 2006 - National Lacrosse League (NLL) News Release


The naming of the 2006 National Lacrosse League season award winners continues today with the awarding of the Edge Active Care Rookie of the Year and Edge Active Care All-Rookie Team. This year's top rookie is Portland Lumberjax defenseman Brodie Merrill. Over the course of the season Merrill became a dominating defensive presence and helped expansion Portland become the first team in league history to win a division title in its first season of play.

A highly decorated college player at Georgetown, Merrill came to the Lumberjax as the first overall player selected in the 2005 NLL Entry Draft. Shortly after signing the rookie, Lumberjax Head Coach/GM Derek Keenan discussed what he felt the defenseman could achieve with the Lumberjax. "I truly believe that within a short period of time Brodie will be one of the top defender's in the NLL and one of the LumberJax leaders," said Keenan.

Keenan was right and Merrill more than lived up to the expectations of his coach and the lacrosse world. The rookie defenseman picked up 214 loose balls in his first season. The total represents the second-highest single season total in league history (Toronto's Jim Veltman picked up 226 this season to set the new season record). Merrill also contributed greatly to the Lumberjax offense, ranking second on the team in assists (32) and third in overall points (49). Merrill collected seven weekly awards throughout the season.

The Orangeville, Ontario native was named as one of the team's three assistant captains at the start of the season, and helped lead the expansion Portland club to the West Division regular season title and a tie for best record in the league at 11-5. Merrill anchored a Portland defense that allowed 177 goals during the regular season, ranking fifth in the league. For his outstanding play, the rookie was also named the Belmont.com Defensive Player of the Year.

While at Georgetown, he was a two-time All American (2004 and 2005), 2005 ECAC Defensive Player of the year, the USILA's Outstanding Division I Defensive Player of the Year and was twice runner-up for the Tewaaraton Award, an award touted as the premier college lacrosse award. Also to Merrill's credit is appointment to the Canadian National Field Lacrosse team, which will compete in the 2006 World Championships this summer.

The league has also announced the 2006 Edge Active Care All-Rookie Team:

Dan Carey, forward (Colorado Mammoth) - (17G, 45A, 62Pts, 80LB) - Carey was selected with the seventh overall pick in the 2005 Entry Draft. He was second on his team in both assists and overall points, and was fifth in loose balls. He collected one weekly league award.

Shawn Evans, forward (Rochester Knighthawks) - (21G, 16A, 37Pts, 110LB) - Evans was selected with the second overall pick in the 2005 Entry Draft. He was second on his team in loose balls, fifth in goals and overall points. He collected two weekly league awards.

Sean Greenhalgh, forward (Philadelphia Wings) - (31G, 42A, 73Pts, 66LB) - Greenhalgh was selected with the third overall pick in the 2005 Entry Draft. He led his teams in goals, was tied for the team lead in overall points and second in assists. He collected eight weekly league awards and also was honored with the Bowflex Sportsmanship Award.

Brodie Merrill, defenseman (Portland Lumberjax) - (17G, 32A, 49Pts, 214 LB) - Merrill was selected with the first overall pick in the 2005 Entry Draft. He led his team in loose balls, was second in assists, third in overall points and fourth in goals. He collected seven weekly league awards, and two season awards, Belmont.com Defensive Player of the Year and Edge Active Care Rookie of the Year.

Luke Wiles, forward (San Jose Stealth) - (23G, 26A, 49Pts, 68LB) - Wiles was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2005 Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Wings; however, on March 10th the forward was traded to the Stealth. He played nine games with San Jose and eight with the Wings.

Jeff Zywicki, forward (San Jose Stealth) - (27G, 21A, 48Pts, 77LB) - Zywicki was selected with the eighth overall pick in the 2005 Entry Draft. He led his team in goals, was second in overall points, fourth in loose balls and fifth in assists. He collected three weekly league awards.

The award winners are chosen by a vote of the leagues coaches, general managers, and executives.

The league will continue announcing its season award winners this week, leading up to the 2006 RBK NLL Championship Game presented by Edge Active Care. The Buffalo Bandits host the Colorado Mammoth in the championship game on Saturday, May 13th at 6PM Eastern. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and Fox Sports World Canada.

The award announcements continue on Wednesday when the league will announce the Dodge First and Second All-Pro Teams.

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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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