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Portland LumberJax

Nickname	Jax
Sport	Box lacrosse
Founded	2005
Disbanded	2009
League	National Lacrosse League
Division	Western
Location	Portland, Oregon
Arena	Rose Garden
Colors	Black, Gold, Red, White
Head coach	Derek Keenan
General manager	Derek Keenan
Championships	0
Division titles	1 (2006)
Local media	TV Comcast SportsNet

The Portland LumberJax (sometimes referred to as the Jax) were a professional box lacrosse team based in Portland, Oregon, which played in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) starting in the 2006 season and ending operations after the 2009 season. Angela Batinovich, the owner of the team, entered the league as the youngest owner of a professional sports franchise at the age of 24. Announced by the NLL on May 11, 2005, the LumberJax played their home games at the Rose Garden. It was announced on May 4, 2009 that the team would be leaving Portland after four seasons of play and on July 7, 2009 the NLL held a dispersal draft for the Lumberjax players.

Franchise history

The expansion LumberJax got off to a slow start in their first year, but later turned their season around and made it to the playoffs with an 11-5 record. The LumberJax finished first in their division, becoming the only expansion team to win their division in the 20-year history of the NLL. The LumberJax season ended with a loss in the opening round of the playoffs to the Arizona Sting.

The LumberJax were less successful in their sophomore season, finishing last in the West Division with a 4-12 record.

In their third year, the LumberJax finished with a sub-500 record for the second straight year (6-10), but were able to enter the playoffs as the fourth-seed in the West.

The LumberJax won their first playoff game in franchise history on May 4, 2008, an 18-16 victory over the San Jose Stealth at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. Dan Dawson scored 7 goals and added 5 assists for a total of 12 points. They then defeated the Calgary Roughnecks in the Western Division Final 16-12, to earn their first ever trip to the Champion's Cup, which took place Saturday, May 17, 2008 at the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York against the Buffalo Bandits at 7:30 PM Eastern. The LumberJax lost 14-13.

On May 4, 2009 the team announced it would be leaving Portland after four seasons of play due to financial concerns. Future options included moving the franchise to another city or selling it to new owners; however on July 7, 2009, a dispersal draft was held for Portland's players, essentially shutting down the franchise.

Awards and honors

All-time record

Playoff results

See also

• Portland LumberJax seasons
• Portland LumberJax players

References

1. ^ "LumberJax will move from Portland". Portland Tribune. May 4, 2009. Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
2. ^ "Merrill Selected First Overall By Edmonton". NLL.com. 7 July 2009. Archived from the original on 12 July 2009. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
3. "Merrill Wins Edge Active Care Rookie of the Year". NLL website. May 9, 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-07.
4. "Merrill Wins Belmont.com Defensive Player of the Year". NLL website. May 2, 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-07.
5. "Derek Keenan Wins Les Bartley Award". NLL website. May 4, 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-07.
6. "Derek Keenan Wins Vonage GM of the Year". NLL website. May 5, 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-07.
7. "Batinovich Named Executive of the Year". NLL website. May 8, 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-07.

• Portland LumberJax
• Defunct National Lacrosse League teams
• Lacrosse clubs established in 2005
• Lacrosse clubs disestablished in 2009
• Defunct sports clubs and teams in Oregon
• Sports clubs and teams in Portland, Oregon
• Lacrosse teams in Oregon
• 2005 establishments in Oregon
• 2009 disestablishments in Oregon