Fresh off their 2012 NLL Champion’s Cup victory with the Rochester Knighthawks, Assistant Coach Jason Johnson and forward Johnny Powless will have another chance to win a championship. They will head to Europe in July as members of the Iroquois Nationals U19 team at the 2012 World Championships in Turku, Finland.
 
The Iroquois Nationals released their 27-man roster Sunday, and will play for coaches Johnson, Delby Powless and Freeman Bucktooth. Johnson, the Arrow Express Sports Lacrosse Director, brings an extensive amount of pro lacrosse coaching experience to the Iroquois’ sidelines.
 
Johnson just finished his third season in Rochester with his first NLL championship. Besides working with the Knighthawks, Johnson has served as an assistant with Hamilton Nationals of Major League Lacrosse. For four seasons, he has worked for the Nationals and helped the team reach two MLL Finals. The Nats won the MLL title in 2009 and fell just one goal short of a second championship in 2011. As he prepared for the Nationals’ fourth game of the 2012 season, he admitted he needs more time to reflect on his impending trip overseas.
 
“When we are a couple of days out, I will get that excited feeling about traveling to Finland,” said Johnson. “It hasn’t hit me yet.”
 
The 2012 World Championships are set for July 12th to the 21st with 13 competing nations heading to Turku. The teams include Australia, Bermuda, Canada, Czech Republic, England, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Iroquois Nationals, Netherlands, Scotland, USA and Wales.The Iroquois Nationals are looking to build upon their bronze-medal finish at the 2008 U-19 tourney. Powless represents one of the offensive stars on the Iroquois, which also includes Albany's Lyle Thompson and Onondaga Community College's Randy Staats. Staats and Powless were two of the eight Six Nations Arrows that made the Iroquois team. After winning an NLL title in his rookie season, Powless will command more attention and respect from every one of the turf.
 
“He brings maturity and leadership to the team. At 19, he is one of the older guys that players already looked up to. Now he can take that to an entirely different level,” said Johnson. “He has been there and won a championship in his first season. His stock has doubled by what he brings to the team.”
 
Powless recently completed his first season in the National Lacrosse League with a Champion’s Cup. He finished the regular season with 50 points and added 11 in the postseason. The fifth overall pick of the Knighthawks won the NLL Sportsmanship Award and was an All-Rookie Team member. Powless, who has started his Junior “A” season with the Arrows, will take a break from the indoor game to play field lacrosse in Finland. His participation in the U-19 Tournament makes 2012 even more special for the humble 19-year-old.
 
“It’s an honor to represent our people at the worlds,” said Powless. “I’m excited and looking forward to playing at that level.”