Boston's Paul Rabil Named Warrior Offensive Player of the Year
Published on August 19, 2009 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL) News Release
Boston, Mass. -Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premier professional outdoor lacrosse league, announced Wednesday that Boston Cannons' midfielder Paul Rabil has been selected as the 2009 Warrior Offensive Player of the Year, according to MLL Commissioner David Gross. The award was based on the votes submitted by the head coaches and general manager of each of the League's six teams.
Prior to entering the MLL in 2008, Rabil had an outstanding collegiate career at Johns Hopkins University. In his junior year as a Blue Jay, he was named as the McLaughlin Award winner, distinguishing himself as the nation's top midfielder. During his senior season, he was nominated as a Tewaaraton finalist, lacrosse's most prestigious award.
Picked up by the Boston Cannons in 2008, Rabil gained 34 points in his inaugural season, proving early on that he was a valuable link in the Cannon offense. In his second season with Boston, he has totaled 53 points, leading not only his team but the League in scoring. Rabil also finished the regular season in second place for two-point goals scored this year, demonstrating that he is a threat from anywhere on the field.
Rabil has been named Bud Light MVP as well as MLL Offensive Player of the Week twice this season.
Rabil has played in all twelve regular season games for the Cannons this season. On June 19th, Rabil scored nine points (4 goals, 2 two-point goals, 3 assists) helping the Cannons to crush the Washington Bayhawks.
All-Time MLL Offensive Players of the Year
2001 John Grant Jr., Rochester Rattlers
2002 Mark Millon, Baltimore Bayhawks
2003 Mark Millon, Baltimore Bayhawks
2004 Blake Miller, Philadelphia Barrage
2005 Casey Powell, Rochester Rattlers
2006 Ryan Powell, San Francisco Dragons
2007 John Grant Jr., Rochester Rattlers
2008 John Grant Jr., Rochester Rattlers
2009 Paul Rabil, Boston Cannons
Rabil earned six first-place votes, and received a total of 44 points. The close runner-up was the Toronto National's Merrick Thomson, who also received a total of six first place votes but received a total of 42 points, falling just short of Rabil's count.
Both Rabil and Thomson will be fighting to make it past the semifinals and into the Championship Game. Rabil will be looking for the back of the net as the #4 seed Cannons face the #1 seed Denver Outlaws in the first playoff game on Saturday, August 22 at 12:00 PM ET. Thomson and the #2 seed Toronto Nationals will take on the #3 seed Long Island Lizards in the second semifinal match of day at 3:00 PM ET.
The 2009 New Balance Major League Lacrosse Championship Weekend Presented by Smartlink takes place at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, one of the nation's premier athletic venues. Tailgating is permitted for both Saturday and Sunday beginning 9:00 AM. A number of great attractions will be featured in the fan zone on both days, including the Monster Energy Professional Ninja Motorcycle Stunt Team, the Warrior Lacrosse-Monster Energy Chop Shop, musical performances by Canadian Alt-Rockers MOBILE, the Parisi Speed School Youth Challenge, the Bud Light Lounge, and much more.
Tickets for the 2009 New Balance Championship Weekend Presented by Smartlink are still available. Complete MLL Championship Weekend packages which include tickets to all three playoff games start at just $25 and may be purchased by calling 866-MLL-TIXX or by visiting www.mllchamps.com.
About Warrior Headquartered in Warren, Michigan, Warrior Sports is recognized as one of the sporting goods industry's premier manufacturers of innovative, high performance, cutting-edge equipment, footwear and apparel for lacrosse and hockey athletes of all ages and abilities. Founded in 1992 by former champion lacrosse player David Morrow, Warrior was acquired by privately-held New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. in February 2004. The 2007 acquisition of Boston-based Brine Sporting Goods further established Warrior Sports as the dominant force in the lacrosse world.
Warrior is dedicated to a core set of philosophies and strengths: technical superiority, grassroots marketing, original and creative youthful expression, and strong partnerships with retailers and suppliers. Warrior's Players Club is the best players in the world helping to make the best equipment in the world and is reserved for the top professionals in lacrosse and hockey today.
About Major League Lacrosse Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premiere professional outdoor lacrosse league, commenced play in June of 2001. The MLL is comprised of six teams located in Boston, Chicago, Denver, Long Island, Toronto, and Washington. The season will culminate with the New Balance MLL Championship Weekend Presnted by Smartlink, which will take place on Saturday and Sunday, August 22 and 23 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland.
Major League Lacrosse was founded by Jake Steinfeld and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. For more information, please visit the Official League website at www.majorleaguelacrosse.com.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from August 19, 2009
- Watch Lizards Playoff Game Live on TV - New York Lizards
- MLL New Balance Championship Weekend Saturday and Sunday in Annapolis - MLL
- Boston's Paul Rabil Named Warrior Offensive Player of the Year - Boston Cannons
- Boston's Paul Rabil Named Warrior Offensive Player of the Year - MLL
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