PORTLAND -- As National Lacrosse League teams scramble to put together rosters for the upcoming season, a trio of local players have re-upped with their clubs from a year ago, while a pair of rookies aim to get their pro careers started.<p/> Oshawa resident Pat Jones and Whitby's Ian Crashley have both inked new deals to return to the Portland LumberJax. Jones signed on for one year, while Crashley, a rookie last season, committed to a two-year pact.<p/> Jones will enter his third season with the Jax after posting nine assists in 27 regular season games the previous two years. His impact, however, isn't measured in points so much as it is in the faceoff circle as Jones has won 311 faceoffs, a 45 per cent success rate, while with the club.<p/> He is also a team captain and 2007 NLL All-Star and occupies the fourth spot in team history in loose balls collected with 128.<p/> "Pat is our captain on the floor and in the locker room", said Portland head coach and general manager Derek Keenan in a press release. "He's the anchor of our defence and provides outstanding leadership to the entire team. Pat is one of those guys I can rely on because week in and week out he comes to play."<p/> As for Crashley, the lanky defender is coming off a serious wrist injury that cost him nearly all of his final junior season with the Whitby Warriors. However, as a rookie last season, Crashley played in 12 games with Portland, scoring two goals and adding four assists. <p/> After impressing as a freshmen, Keenan is expecting much more out of the 6-foot-5 rearguard.<p/> "As a 20-year-old last season, Ian performed far beyond our expectations," said Keenan, an Oshawa resident. "We think that experience under his belt will make a major impact for us in 2008." <p/> Elsewhere in the league, Whitby's Matt Shearer has re-signed with the Toronto Rock on a one-year deal, while the team also recently acquired all-star defenders Cam Woods and Peter Lough, both former members of the Brooklin Redmen. Earlier this offseason, former Clarington Green Gaels captain Steve Conrad and another former Gael and Warrior, Steve Hutchins, signed with the Edmonton Rush, after both were drafted by the club.
Recommend :