Portland Lumberjax Sign Two; Holding Open Tryouts Oct. 22nd

[Sonny]

Lumberjax Sign Two of NLL's Best Scoring Defensemen

Matt Dwane and Bruce Alexander became the newest players of the Portland LumberJax today, announced by Head Coach/GM Derek Keenan. Dwane and Alexander join the Jax as two of the highest scoring defensemen in the NLL.

Originally from Richmond B.C., Matt Dwane weighs in at 5'10'' 210lb and is the second highest defensive scorer last season with 25 points (11 goals, 14 assists) with the Anaheim Storm. Prior playing under Coach Keenan with the Storm, he spent three seasons with Vancouver Ravens and boasts 50 career goals over four seasons in the NLL.

Defensemen Bruce Alexander started his career with the WLA Victoria Shamrocks for nine years before moving to the NLL for the past six years. Over his NLL career he has 177 points (57 goals and 120 assists), making him a viable scoring threat to the LumberJax. He has also been on two championship teams, winning the Mann Cup in 1997 and 1999 with the Shamrocks.

Dwane and Alexander are two of the six signed LumberJax players. The first regular season home game will get under way in the Rose Garden on Saturday, January 21 at 7:30p against the Colorado Mammoth.

Lumberjax Holding Open Tryouts October 22

The LumberJax and Head Coach Derek Keenan will host open tryouts presented by your Portland Metro Scion Dealers, to be held on Saturday, October 22, 1:30-3:30p and 7:30-9:30p at the Tualatin Indoor Facility (11883 SW Itel Street, Tualatin). The Jax are calling for all eligible unrestricted free agents (a player who is not currently contracted by a National Lacrosse League team and all other club and amateur players) from Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and beyond. Players are directed to www.PortlandJax.com for registration and additional information.

"We are thrilled with our current lineup and look forward to adding even more outstanding talent to the team," said Angela Batinovich, LumberJax majority owner. "We are confident that the open tryouts will be a great success, and we are excited for the opportunity to discover fresh faces that will grow into the lacrosse stars of tomorrow."

As the expansion team takes shape, Batinovich, with the help of Z100's Buckhead and Jax Dance Team Coordinator Heather Fralia, judged dance team tryouts Wednesday, and the new LumberJax dance team was finalized today. The twelve women selected were picked out of 44 people who came to the open tryout (the team includes: Noelle Graham, Tonya Hatton, Krissy Carlson, Melissa Hornberger, Tina Whiting, Jessica Worthington, Christina Yake, Ione Chaco, Danielle Elam, Vijitra Boonkoom, Kristen McCollum, and Erin Marie Leo). The twelve team squad, which includes three current Trail Blazer dancers, learned of the decision on the newly designed LumberJax website (www.PortlandJax.com).

The Jax website was re-launched today with several new features that will be easy for fans to navigate. The site features the Jax Fan Zone that includes a public forum to discuss the team and Lax101 gives rules of the sport. News and photos will be updated as the season draws closer with the first regular season home game in the Rose Garden on Saturday, January 21 at 7:30p against the Colorado Mammoth.

With the re-launch of the website, the Jax unveiled their secondary logo, which presents the abbreviated "Jax" team name. With an edgy lacrosse stick and axe making up the letter "X", the new logo was created by Flynnagain Productions who designed the primary logo and is working on the jersey design. The new cutting edge logo is another icon of the newly formed NLL team, and captures the excitement of the thrilling sport of "lax" in one image.

[CyLaxKeeper00]

JAX HOLD UPEN TRYOUTS

The Portland Lumberjax held their Open Tryouts this past Saturday in the Portland area at the Tualatin Indoor Facility. Jax Head Coach/GM Derek Keenan was very impressed with the level of talent on display. "The talent level across the board was outstanding. I hadn't heard of some of these players, but everyone who attended gave us a good show" said Keenan. "When there is a limited number of positions it makes the decision making process a lot more difficult."

Over 40 players from the US and Canada attended the open tryouts and were put through their paces by current Jax players Adam Bysouth, and the three Morgan brothers: Rich, David and Peter. Ryan Powell was also there to help referee the scrimmages and field questions from the media.

Daniel Ernst, a University of Oregon graduate, looks to become the first Oregon grad to play in the NLL.

[Sonny]

[Kyle Berggren]

From the website it looks like Whitman's Ben Sadler (PNCLL B Player of the Year) was also invited back to compete for one of the few open spots. Congrats Ben.