(SAN DIEGO – Dec. 20, 18) – The San Diego Seals named veteran defenseman/transition player Brodie Merrill the first captain in franchise history on Thursday. Forwards Kyle Buchanan and Dan Dawson and defenseman Cam Holding will serve as assistant captains for the 2018-19 season.

“I believe we have one of the strongest leadership groups in the game,” said general manager and head coach Patrick Merrill. “All of our captains embody what it takes to be a professional and champion. We have a lot of younger players, and I couldn’t think of any better captains to show them the way and help us compete to win games in our first year. They simply play and behave the right way and will hopefully set the foundation for a winning culture in San Diego for years to come.”

Brodie Merrill, 37, spent the last four seasons as the captain of the Toronto Rock. The 14-year NLL veteran ranks second in NLL history with 2,312 loose balls. Merrill is a league-record three-time NLL Transition Player of the Year recipient (2009 2010, 2017) and an eight-time NLL All-Pro selection.

“It is humbling and a great honor,” said Merrill, of his captainship. “Although we’re a new team, you can already see strong leadership throughout the group, which is exciting. I will do my best to lead by example and support my teammates.”

Buchanan was the first player acquired in Seals franchise history. He averaged 60 points per year over the last four seasons with New England, and was the winner of the 2015 NLL Sportsmanship Award. The 31-year-old was the captain of the Black Wolves last year.

Dawson, 37, ranks second on the NLL all-time leaderboard in games played (269), fourth in assists (828), fourth in total points (1308), and fifth in goals (480). The 18-year NLL veteran is a three-time NLL champion and a seven-time NLL All-Pro Selection.

Holding, 29, did not miss a game for four-straight seasons (2014-2017) with Colorado. He set a career-high in 2017 with 160 loose balls, fourth-most in the NLL.

The San Diego Seals kick off their inaugural season on the road this Sat., Dec. 22 against the Colorado Mammoth at 6:00 PM PST. The Seals will host a Game 1 Watch Party at Bayside Kitchen + Bar. Party begins at 5:00 PM PST with face-off set for 6:00 PM PST. The home-opener is set for Sat., Jan. 12 at 7:00pm PST against the Rochester Knighthawks at Pechanga Arena San Diego. All watch party details and single game tickets are available at SealsLax.com.