NLL: Next BIG Thing - Brodie Merrill

Major League Baseball had Justin Upton, the National Football League had Alex Smith, the NBA had Andrew Bogut, the NHL had Sidney Crosby, and on August 29th , the National Lacrosse League will have Brodie Merrill.

Merrill the 6 foot 4inch, 205 pound defensive player from Orangeville, Ontario, who played colligate lacrosse at Georgetown University, is being dubbed the next John Grant Jr., who had an impressive 2004-2005 campaign with the Rochester Knighthawks picking up 29 goals and 56 assists in 15 game and who is currently, the 12th all-time in goals and points in the NLL.

Back on June 1st on this year, Merrill was selected 3rd overall during the Major League Lacrosse Draft by the Balitmore Bayhawks.

I saw a work ethic in Merrill that I hadn’t seen in anyone else over the last four years,” said Mat Wilson, a Georgetown team of Merrill’s when being interviewed for this article. Wilson went on to say, “He was our leader on and off the field, everyone counted on him as being a ‘straight shooter no nonsense type.’”

Merrill has also made a name for himself playing in the Ontario Lacrosse Association.

On August 29th, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, the question will be how much will General Manager Derek Keenan and the Lumberjax Management ask the rest of the NLL to give-up for the chance to take the “NEXT BEST THING,” Brodie Merrill.

Side Thoughts:

NLL Star Gary Gait who is going to be the Coach of the Colorado Mammoth next season signed a contract extension with the Baltimore Bayhawks. Could Gait possibly use that to help persuade Merrill to come to Colorado for the Mammoth if they can get the pick from Portland?

Will Portland keep the number one?

Official Site: Georgetown - Brodie Merrill Lacrosse Bio

Official Site: National Lacrosse League

Official Site: Portland Lumberjax

Photo: Brodie Merrill

Credit: Georgetown University Athletics