Dan Dawson named Canada’s captain for world indoor lacrosse championship

Dan Dawson was named Canada’s captain on Monday for the upcoming world indoor lacrosse championships.

Chris Corbeil and Brodie Merrill will be assistant captains of Canada’s team for the international event held at Onondaga Nation outside Syracuse, N.Y., from Sept. 18-27.

“It’s humbling, it’s truly an honour,” he says. “I’m going to do everything in my power to wear the Canadian jersey with the greatest respect for everything it stands for.”

Canada is a perfect 17-0 in Federation of International Lacrosse world indoor tournaments.

Jim Veltman was Canada’s captain in 2003 when six countries competed in southern Ontario centres. John Tavares was captain in 2007 when eight countries vied for the title in Halifax. Colin Doyle was captain when eight countries again were entered in 2011 in Prague, Czech Republic.

Dawson, from Oakville, Ont., follows in their footsteps and into an expanded field of 13 countries.

The 2015 event will be the first international sporting event taking place on indigenous lands. The Iroquois Nationals won silver at the three previous tournaments and will be pumped to finally take gold on their own turf.

There are but seven returnees from Canada’s 2011 squad: Dawson, Merrill, Matt Vinc, Kyle Rubisch, Brett Mydske, Shawn Evans and Stephan Leblanc.

Canada’s coaching staff returns virtually intact from 2011.