Toronto – The National Lacrosse League has announced the starting lineups for the East and West Divisions for the 2011 All-Star Game, presented by the Oneida Indian Nation. The game takes place at the Turning Stone Arena at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York on Sunday, February 27 at 2:00pm ET.
The starting lineups were selected by the votes of the league’s coaches, media and fans, who voted via online ballot at the league’s website, NLL.com.
The Rock captain also made a bit of history with his selection to this year’s All-Star Game as he now holds the league record for most selections with nine.
“It feels good,” remarked Doyle about his record breaking selection. “To be selected by coaches and management that you hold in high regard from around the league and especially by the fans, it’s still a pretty neat feeling.”
The East All-Star starting lineup consists of forwards Colin Doyle (Toronto Rock) and Casey Powell (Boston Blazers), transition player Mark Steenhuis (Buffalo Bandits), defensemen Chris White (Buffalo Bandits) and Pat McCready (Rochester Knighthawks) and goaltender Brandon Miller (Philadelphia Wings).
The West All-Star starting lineup consists of forwards Ryan Benesch (Minnesota Swarm) and Scott Ranger (Calgary Roughnecks), transition player Brodie Merrill (Edmonton Rush), defensemen Andrew McBride (Calgary Roughnecks) and Mike Grimes (Washington Stealth) and goaltender Nick Patterson (Minnesota Swarm).
The reserves for the East and West teams will be announced later this week.
Last week the league announced that the East will be coached by Toronto Rock head coach Troy Cordingley, and the West by Washington Stealth head coach Chris Hall. Ed Comeau and Derek Keenan will serve as assistant coaches for the East and West, respectively.
Doyle’s first All-Star Game he participated in was back in 1999 in Rochester. The Rock captain was just 19 years old and remembers Ted Dowling scoring the overtime winning goal as Team Canada defeated Team USA 25-24. While clearly remembering Dowling and his heroics, there is one guy he doesn’t remember playing with quite as well, and for good reason according to Doyle.
“I don’t remember him likely because he wouldn’t pass me the ball,” said Doyle in reference to one of his Team Canada All-Star teammates who was none other than his current Rock head coach Troy Cordingley. The Rock bench boss was playing in his first and last All-Star Game back in 1999.
Tickets for the All-Star Game are priced at $20 and $30 for adults and $10 for youth 12 and under. They are available at the Turning Stone Box office or by calling 315-361-SHOW or toll-free at 1-877-833-SHOW. The Box Office is open daily from 10am to 8pm. Tickets may also be purchased at any Ticketmaster location or online at ticketmaster.com. Group ticket packages are also available.
The 2011 NLL All-Star game presented by the Oneida Indian Nation will be televised in the United States live nationally on VERSUS. Details relating to the Canadian telecast of the game will be announced in the near future.
