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Philadelphia Wings to Retire Goalie Dallas Eliuk's Jersey Saturday

February 28, 2012 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Philadelphia Wings News Release


The Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) will be retiring long-time Wings goal tender Dallas Eliuk's No. 35 jersey before the team's home game versus the Rochester Knighthawks at Wells Fargo Center on Saturday, March 3 at 7 p.m.

Eliuk played 15 seasons with the Philadelphia Wings from 1991 to 2005, earning All-Pro honors nine times and participating in the NLL All Star game in each of his 15 seasons with the team. He was inducted into the NLL Hall of Fame in 2009. Additionally, Eliuk is the league's all-time saves leader with 6,536 saves and won four Champion's Cups including being named the MVP of Champion's Cup MVP award twice (1998 and 2001) and appeared in every All-Star game through 2006.

"To many athletes the culmination of a successful professional career in sports can result in a Championship and even an induction into the Hall of Fame," says Eliuk. "Three years ago when I retired and was immediately inducted into the NLL Hall of Fame, I thought I had reached the pinnacle, until now. With the gracious offer from the Philadelphia Wings ownership and management to retire my number 35 to the rafters of the Wells Fargo Center, and to be forever immortalized, is the pinnacle.

"Dallas was the cornerstone of the Wings defense for over a decade," says Wings President and Co-Owner Michael French. "Many times he single-handedly carried the team on his back when we most needed it. He seemed to always come up with a key save or a series of saves that changed the game's momentum in the Wings favor. He was an extremely athletic goal tender and to this day is still one of our fans' all-time favorites."

Known for his reflexes, acrobatics and foot speed, Eliuk's unconventional stick saves made his play unparalleled, clutch and very entertaining to watch. Eliuk boasts a career saves percentage of 76.24% and a career goals-against-average of 12.24.

"This tells me that the fans and the city embraced me for what I did on the field, and in the community and for that I am and will be eternally grateful," Eliuk continues. "To the Wings fans, none of this would've happened without you. From the bottom of my heart I want to thank each of you for the support, and for making the 15 years with the Wings organization the highlight of my life."

Call 215-389-WING (9464) or visit WingsLAX.com to order Season Tickets for the upcoming 2012 Philadelphia Wings Season.

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