Merrill and Prout named to Team Canada

Edmonton, AB -- It's more about what's on the front of the jersey that counts. That's how Edmonton Rush transition star Brodie Merrill feels about his recent selection to Team Canada's field lacrosse team for the upcoming World Championship in England.

Merrill, along with Rush teammate Gavin Prout, will represent the defending-champion Canadian squad at the 2010 Federation of International Lacrosse championship in Manchester in July. The Rush duo -- both part of the 2006 winning team -- will partake in the five-game round-robin tournament and championship round in the top-tier that features the high-powered United States squad, along with Iroquois Nationals, Australia, Japan and England. While both players have proudly worn the maple leaf on their jersey in the past, the tandem was elated with the announcement to represent Canada again.

"It's an amazing feeling to be able to represent the country, especially fresh off the Olympic Games," Merrill said.

"There's a lot of pride and excitement around sports in Canada and to be able to represent your country internationally is an amazing honour."

"I was definitely happy and excited to be part of this team," said Prout, going into his fourth tour of duty for the red and white. "It's truly an honour to put that sweater over your head and play for your country and for the game that I love the most".

Prout, who'll turn 32-years-old by the time the championship begins, is expected to be play a leadership role this time around as Canada brings a more youthful squad to England, compared to the veteran-laden team in 2006.

"I'm excited to bring my leadership and knowledge to the table and help focus the guys and achieve our goal of reaching gold again," he said.

Canada's first test of the 2010 event is against Japan and the Canucks will then face Team USA in their second contest. The U.S. squad features Rush forward and field lacrosse stud, Ryan Powell, as well as other National Lacrosse League and Major League Lacrosse stars. And although Canada ended a 28-year drought by defeating the Americans 15-10 in 2006, Team USA is expected to be the favourite again this time around.

"We've beat the U.S. once in 28-years so I'd still consider them the favourites no doubt about that and I look forward to the competition and obstacles that lye ahead," said Prout.

"I would still say we're the underdog heading in even though we won the tournament in 2006," chipped in Merrill, named to the All-World team and the top defender at the last championship. "I think field lacrosse in the U.S. is much further along, but, Canada is catching up, though.

"We've got a new group with a lot of new faces so this is going to be a different experience and we're going to have to come in ready and prepared to have success.

"We're approaching the games as underdogs, but we're going to be there to win it and approach it with quiet confidence," he added. While Canada and the U.S. are the two perennial powers at the games, Merrill warns others teams represent a stiff challenge on the field as the Iroquois Nationals -- a unit composed of First Nations/Native Americans stars -- along with Australia, will also be tough squads at the tournament.

"We don't want to focus too much on the U.S. and we have to recognize that there are other teams that are going to be very competitive and we'll have to be ready for that," he said. "Especially the Iroquois National team. I kind of compare them to where we were in 2006. They have a lot of young skilled players and present a certain challenge for us and are a dangerous team in the tournament."

In facing the competition, Merrill, 28, will have another very familiar player alongside him this time at the championship as his brother Pat, who plays with the Orlando Titans in the NLL, was named to Team Canada this time around. The siblings from Orangeville, Ont., will pair up on the defensive side of the ball for the Canadian squad and their selection to the team made for special moments for the duo.

"When we found out, that was one of my favourite moments in sports," Brodie said of Pat's inclusion on the team. "It was a very emotional day for us. It was his third time trying out for the team and he had a great tryout and was able to make the team. It's going to be a real special moment for us to play together and represent our country."