Five Hopefuls Talk about the Upcoming LumberJax Training Camp

Less than a week ago the Portland LumberJax hosted their Second Annual Open Tryout at the Tualatin Indoor Soccer Center where hopefuls competed for a shot at becoming a professional lacrosse player for the Western Division Champion LumberJax. Approximately 20 players traveled to Portland to battle for a roster spot and an invitation to the Jax training camp sessions which begin on Nov. 17 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Over 75 percent of the participants were Americans from Oregon, California, Washington and even New York. The remainder of the hopefuls hailed from British Columbia, Canada, but they all came together for a common cause – making the Jax roster.

“I didn’t really know what to expect, so I just tried to come in fresh,” said Thi Pho Heng, one of the players asked to attend the Jax first camp session. Heng, 27, is a Vernon, British Colombia native who impressed Head Coach and General Manager Derek Keenan with his quickness and athleticism on the field. “I knew there would be a lot of American guys there who were more fit and athletic, but I figured being Canadian and knowing the box game better fell to my advantage.”

“I think every athlete’s dream is to be in the professional rank. Even though I am done playing college lacrosse, I still wanted to give it a shot,” Adam Hughes, 24, explained who hails from the US in Seattle, WA, although originally from Syracuse, N.Y. In 2005, Hughes was drafted 62nd overall to the Colorado Mammoth but was eventually released. “Being on the West Coast, I think that the LumberJax would be a great fit. I didn’t get my shot last year, because I didn’t make the cut. The Portland LumberJax might give me a second chance, and I am thankful for that.”

After last year’s success from the open tryouts, the Jax decided to hold another open tryout for the 2007 season. As early as Sept. 25, 2006 the Jax announced the tryouts and various publications ran with stories the announcement and information on how to contact the team. Last year Brandon McKinnon who was a walk on at open tryouts was invited to the Jax training camps made the active roster for the inaugural season. A local favorite, Daniel Ernst made the LumberJax practice squad through the open tryouts as well.

“I really like the hands on approach that the head coach took of introducing himself to everybody. I especially liked the speech he made at the beginning about the players from last year who made the team,” said Patrick Jansen, 23, of Los Altos, CA. “I thought the competition at the tryouts was really strong, and I think they were run really well.”

After the dust had settled in the soccer center and all the participants went home, Keenan invited five of the competitors to the LumberJax training camp on Nov. 17. Andrew Gee, Heng, Hughes, Jansen and Daniel Walters were asked to join those who already signed with the LumberJax in Vancouver for a second look at making the squad.

“I was ecstatic; I was really happy when I found out I got invited,” said Jansen. “I knew that making it to training camp is the first step to being in the NLL. I am just going to have to wait and see what happens next.”

“I felt total excitement and a pure rush of adrenaline through my body,” Gee, 21, from Delta, British Columbia explained. “My heart was pounding.” Gee added that he immediately thought of all the people in his life that had helped him get to that point. “I really appreciate all those people who have pushed me to get better and better.”

The LumberJax have three training camp sessions that run Nov. 17-19, Dec. 1-3 (Vancouver, British Columbia) and Dec. 14-18 (Victoria, British Columbia). Although five have been invited from open tryouts, they will have to fight for an opportunity to attend each session. The LumberJax have signed 21 players with 16 of them returning from last season. A total of 39 lacrosse players will attend the first session competing against one another for a spot with the Jax.

“I am excited to show off my talent,” Hughes said. “The first time I went into a training camp for the NLL, they said that I had a lack of experience. Now that I do have the experience under my belt and I am willing to learn, I hope that I can give 110 percent and be my best that weekend.”

 “I really just want to get out there and play really hard against the roster players and draft picks,” Jansen said.

“I have already been to a couple of training camps before, so I think that will help me,” Walters, 23, from Nanaimo, British Columbia said. He was the only goalie invited back from open tryouts for another look. “Matt King and Dallas Eliuk are two unbelievable goalies, and I am going to have to work really hard at training camp. I plan to give it my best, and the coaches will decide the rest.”

The Jax open their second season at home in the Rose Garden on Dec. 30, 2006 against the Buffalo Bandits at 7 p.m. Season Tickets for the LumberJax start as low as $90. Packages include the eight regular season home games and the 2007 NLL All Star Game. Enjoy the benefits of being a Season Ticket Holder! Also, it’s not too early to plan ahead for friends and family or company outings.  Receive discounts when you bring a group of fifteen or more.  Group tickets start at $10 a seat with no applicable fees.  For more information or to reserve your seats call the Jax ticket office at 503.797.9739. Who Wants More?