Who Are The Assistant Captains?
Published on January 8, 2010 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Edmonton Rush News Release
Edmonton, AB-- The Edmonton Rush are pleased to announce their alternate captains for the 2010 National Lacrosse League season will be Jimmy Quinlan and Brodie Merrill.
Quinlan, one of the last remaining original Rush team members, and Merrill, one of the NLL's top all-around players, will serve under team captain Chris McElroy, who will wear the 'C' for the third straight season.
Quinlan has followed suit alongside McElroy in the lacrosse outreach programs. As an Edmonton resident and school teacher, Quinlan has taught countless students the skills of lacrosse and guided many of them into becoming elite amateur players. Working in his home town has also allowed Quinlan the opportunity to lead the Rush's charitable causes as he has been a frequent ambassador for the team at events.
Few players in the NLL can match the intensity of the Sherwood Park, Alberta, product whose will to win will be a catalyst in the Rush's quest for a first-time berth in the Champion's Cup playoffs.
Merrill, the former captain of the Portland LumberJax, is widely regarded as one of the best lacrosse players in the world, both in the NLL and in the outdoor game where he starred for Canada at the 2006 World Field Lacrosse Championship. Merrill's immense talents have landed him a long list of accolades including the NLL's Rookie, Defensive Players, and Transition Player of the Year awards throughout his career.
A perennial all-star, Merrill brings a talent-level to the Rush that the team has yet to showcase in its previous four years. And like Quinlan and McElroy, Merrill is a teacher of the game, working as an administrator and lacrosse coach in Ontario, as well as being an ambassador for the club at numerous charitable events.
McElroy, who like Quinlan is one of the few remaining original Rush players, has been consistent voice of leadership since joining the club for the inaugural 2006 campaign. A tireless worker, McElroy has been a follow-by-example captain who continually looks to spark his teammates with a full-throttle work ethic. A hard-working defender, McElroy leads the Rush's penalty-killing unit and has been a source of energy as the Rush move up floor in transition.
The Ontario native is also big backer of the Rush off the floor, working as the club's community relations coordinator and in particular emphasizing the team's desire to bring the sport of the lacrosse to the forefront by taking the players' knowledge of the game into the elementary and junior high schools' physical education programs.
"I don't think I've ever been involved with a team at any level with so many leaders. In the past I have always formed leadership groups that stretched beyond the captain and 2 assistants and this team's leadership group will be a big one. Team leadership needs to be shared and we certainly have lots of it to go around. McElroy, Quinlan and Merrill are all warriors and that is what we are looking for as an overall team attitude. These 3 guys will do whatever it takes to succeed and that is the message to our team this season." stated GM/Head Coach Derek Keenan.
The Rush open the regular season on the road against the Washington Stealth on January 15 and the next day against the Colorado Mammoth at Pepsi Center on Saturday, January 16. The Rush open its home regular season on Saturday, January 23 against the Buffalo Bandits at Rexall Place.
National Lacrosse League Stories from January 8, 2010
- Orlando Not Happiest Place on Earth for Wings - Philadelphia Wings
- Who Are The Assistant Captains? - Edmonton Rush
- Minnesota Swarm Begin 2010 Regular Season On Sunday - Minnesota Swarm
- National Lacrosse League's NLL Network Integrates Social Media - NLL
- Knighthawks Open 16th Season Saturday Against Buffalo - Rochester Knighthawks
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.
