Veterans Sandy Chapman And Stephan Leblanc Are Alternates
Oakville, ON – The Toronto Rock today announced Brodie Merrill as the team’s captain with Stephan Leblanc and Sandy Chapman serving as alternates for the 2017 NLL season.
“We have strong leadership throughout the team and we’re confident as a coaching staff that they will carry our message,” said Rock head coach Matt Sawyer. “Brodie’s leadership goes beyond what he does on the floor. He makes his teammates better; he prepares well for games and practices and carries himself well in all aspects of being a leader. He was the unanimous choice as the next captain of the Toronto Rock.”
Merrill enters his third season with the Rock in 2017 and succeeds Colin Doyle as team captain following his retirement in November. The 35-year old from Orangeville, ON is regarded as one of the greatest defenders and transition players to ever play in the NLL. Prior to the league’s 30th anniversary season he was ranked as the 14th best player in the in the history of the league, however former Rock greats and NLL Hall of Fame members Pat Coyle and Jim Veltman were the only two defenders or transition players ahead of him on that list.
“I’m honoured and will do my best to lead by example and support my teammates,” said Merrill who has also previously served as captain of the Philadelphia Wings and Edmonton Rush during his 11-year NLL career.
Chapman is a long-time alternate captain with the Rock and will begin his 16th NLL season in just over a week when Toronto faces Rochester, the only other team he has suited up for, playing three seasons with the Knighthawks. Leblanc will wear an ‘A’ for the first time in his NLL career. All seven of his previous seasons have been with the Rock
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