Retirement feels good to Jax’s Eliuk

Hall of Famer misses adrenaline rush, but is busier than ever

By jason vondersmith

The Portland Tribune, Apr 14, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (1 Reader comment)

JIM CLARK / TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO

Portland LumberJax assistant coach Dallas Eliuk made plenty of saves before retiring from National Lacrosse League play after last season.

Dallas Eliuk stands behind the Portland LumberJax bench in a business suit, but he admits to still having the itch to put on a goaltending mask and pads and take to the lacrosse playing field.

Then he thinks about how good his body feels every day.

“I don’t need help anymore from Daria to get out of bed in the morning,” quips Eliuk, the LumberJax assistant coach who is married to 105.1 FM The Buzz radio personality Daria O’Neill.

“My body thanks me daily,” says Eliuk, who retired from the National Lacrosse League before this season. “But one thing about being an older athlete, you don’t lose that competitive edge or spirit or ability. What is difficult is the recovery (from play).”

Eliuk left the game as the NLL’s all-time saves leader, a nine-time all-star and a four-time champion in an 18-year career. He generally is regarded as the best goalie ever.

The 44-year-old Eliuk’s final appearance came in last season’s NLL West Division championship game, as he subbed for the injured Matt Disher and led the Jax to a win over Calgary.

He called it quits and moved behind the bench, although he somewhat fosters the idea of playing again.

“Never say never, right?” he says. “When I heard (NLL great) Gary Gait came out of retirement (this season), it made it easier to announce my retirement, if that makes sense.”

It does, because final decisions are sometimes not final.

He adds, “I’m happy where I am at this time of my life.”

Some closure for his great career came on March 7 in Denver, when the NLL inducted Eliuk into its Hall of Fame. It was a touching event, Eliuk says, especially seeing the highlight video and giving a speech that he had written.

1 | 2 Next Page >>

Facebook	Digg	Del.icio.us
Newsvine	Stumbleupon	Reddit