Portland Boasts Three All-Stars

Published on March 13, 2008 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Portland Lumberjax News Release


PORTLAND, March 13, 2008 - With all the traveling that Portland LumberJax Head Coach/General Manager Derek Keenan does, he often misses out on the ESPN SportsCenter Top 10 Highlights. Traveling between Oshawa, Ontario and Portland, Oregon is over a seven-hour flight round trip, but that's ok. Keenan has his own highlight reel in Jax defenseman Brodie Merrill.

"You don't know how many times I've caught myself questioning whether Brodie really did that," Keenan said. "Game in and game out he is the best defensive player on the floor and the best transition player on the turf."

Merrill, who will start in the National Lacrosse League's eight All-Star Game in Edmonton on Sunday, March 16 at 1 p.m. for the West Division, has done pretty much everything a player can do at this point in the season. He's stabilized the defensive line, moved the ball aggressively in transition and added an additional scoring punch on the offensive end for the Jax (3-7)

Through the first 10 games, Merrill has led the NLL and the team with 121 loose balls collected. Last season's loose ball champ, Merrill is easily on pace to do so again.

On offense, Merrill has scored 12 goals and added 11 assists.

"We expected a lot from Brodie, but he always seems to exceed our expectations," added Keenan.

For Merrill, this will be his second All-Star Game and his third overall selection. He was named an All-Star last season, but was unable to play due to injury and added an assist in 2005.

Also joining him from Portland on the West Division squad are forwards Dan Dawson and Ryan Powell. The team leader in goals scored (20), points scored (46), shots (124) and shots on goal (94), Dawson's largest contribution may come off the turf.

"Everyone knows what kind of player and talent he is, but what impresses me the most is what kind of person he is," said Keenan. "He's the ultimate team player-sometimes to a fault. Dan is constantly looking for ways to improve and I doubt there is a harder working offensive player in the NLL.

Dawson's hard work was epitomized on Feb. 22 when he scored his 200th career goal in only his seventh season, becoming the 30th player in league history to do so.

For Dawson, this will be his third All-Star Game. He scored three goals in the 2005 game and added an assist in last year's game.

Powell, who made his All-Star debut last season with four goals, will not play as he's nursing an injured ankle.

Powell has continued to excel in his third season with Portland. Already the franchise leader in assists (84) and points scored (134); Powell has led the team this season in assists with 27 and has provided 15 goals. He's scored five points or more in six of the 10 games, validating his status as one of the premier offensive threats in the league.

"Ryan brings a lot of intensity and enthusiasm on and off the floor," said Keenan. "We get a lot of repossessions in the offensive end because of Ryan's ability to battle for loose balls.

"Brodie, Dan and Ryan are all very deserving All-Star selections," added Keenan. "We'll need more of their contributions as we move toward the playoffs."

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National Lacrosse League Stories from March 13, 2008


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