The Portland LumberJax
(sometimes referred to as the Jax
) were a professional lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League (NLL), which started playing in the 2006 season and ended operations after the 2009 season. Announced by the NLL on May 11, 2005, the LumberJax played their home games at the Rose Garden Arena in Portland, Oregon. The team was owned by Angela Batinovich, who at the age of 24 entered the league as the youngest owner of a professional sports franchise. It was announced on May 4, 2009 that the team would be leaving Portland after four seasons of play [1] and on July 7, 2009 the NLL held a dispersal draft for the Lumberjax players. [2]
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PORTLAND LUMBERJAX TICKETS
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Franchise history
The expansion LumberJax got off to a slow start in their
first year, but later turned their season around and made it to the playoffs with an 11-5 record. The LumberJax finished first in their division, becoming the only expansion team to win their division in the 20-year history of the NLL. The LumberJax season ended with a loss in the opening round of the playoffs to the
Arizona Sting.
The LumberJax were less successful in their
sophomore season, finishing last in the West Division with a 4-12 record.
In their
third year, the LumberJax finished with a sub-500 record for the second straight year (6-10), but were able to enter the playoffs as the fourth-seed in the West.
The LumberJax won their first playoff game in franchise history on May 4, 2008, an 18-16 victory over the
San Jose Stealth at the
HP Pavilion in
San Jose, California.
Dan Dawson scored 7 goals and added 5 assists for a total of 12 points, all team playoff records. They then defeated the
Calgary Roughnecks in the Western Division Final 16-12, to earn their first ever trip to the
Champion's Cup, which took place Saturday, May 17, 2008 at the
HSBC Arena in
Buffalo, New York against the
Buffalo Bandits at 7:30 PM Eastern. The LumberJax lost 14-13.
On May 4, 2009 the team announced it would be leaving Portland after four seasons of play due to financial concerns.
Future options were said to be moving the franchise to another city or selling it to new owners however on July 7, 2009 a dispersal draft was held for Portland's players.
Awards & honors
| Year
| Player
| Award
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| 2006
| Brodie Merrill
| Rookie of the Year [3]
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| Brodie Merrill
| Defensive Player of the Year [4]
|
| Derek Keenan
| Les Bartley Award [5]
|
| Derek Keenan
| GM of the Year [6]
|
| Angela Batinovich
| Executive of the Year [7]
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Roster
All time Record
| Season
| Division
| W-L
| Finish
| Home
| Road
| GF
| GA
| Coach
| Playoffs
|
| 2006
| Western
| 11-5
| 1st
| 5-3
| 6-2
| 188
| 177
| Derek Keenan
| Lost in Division semifinals
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| 2007
| Western
| 4-12
| 6th
| 3-5
| 1-7
| 153
| 199
| Derek Keenan
| Missed Playoffs
|
| 2008
| Western
| 6-10
| 4th
| 3-5
| 3-5
| 179
| 194
| Derek Keenan
| Lost in Championship Game
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| 2009
| Western
| 9-7
| 2nd
| 5-3
| 4-4
| 181
| 177
| Derek Keenan
| Lost in Division semifinals
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| Total
| 4 seasons
| 30-34
|
| 16-16
| 14-18
| 701
| 747
|
|
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| Playoff Totals
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| 2-3
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| 0-2
| 2-1
| 61
| 62
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Playoff Results
| Season
| Game
| Visiting
| Home
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| 2006
| Division Semifinals
| Arizona 14
| Portland 11
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| 2008
| Division Semifinal
| Portland 18
| San Jose 16
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| Division Final
| Portland 16
| Calgary 12
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| Championship
| Portland 13
| Buffalo 14
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| 2009
| Division Semifinal
| San Jose 20
| Portland 16
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References
- LumberJax will move from Portland
- Merrill Selected First Overall By Edmonton
- Merrill Wins Edge Active Care Rookie of the Year
- Merrill Wins Belmont.com Defensive Player of the Year
- Derek Keenan Wins Les Bartley Award
- Derek Keenan Wins Vonage GM of the Year
- Batinovich Named Executive of the Year