NLL Buffalo Bandits

Dietrich named NLL Most Valuable Player

May 11, 2006 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Buffalo Bandits News Release


Buffalo, N.Y. (May 11, 2006) --- The National Lacrosse League announced today that Steve Dietrich of the Buffalo Bandits has been named the 2006 Jet Blue NLL Most Valuable Player, becoming the first goaltender in league history to win the award. The Kitchener, Ont.-native becomes the second Bandit to win the award, joining John Tavares, who was the NLL Most Valuable Player in 1994, 2000, and 2001.

Dietrich who won the RBK Goaltender of the Year for last the two seasons, was also named a Dodge First Team All-Pro for the second consecutive season yesterday.

"Steve has been the backbone of this team since I returned to Buffalo," stated Bandits Head Coach Darris Kilgour. "His performance this season has been outstanding, and we wouldn't be playing for the championship without him. I'm glad he got the recognition he certainly deserved from around the league."

The 5-10, 240-pound Dietrich earned his second career Goaltender of the Year award after leading the league during the regular season in goals-against average (9.97), save percentage (.808), and wins (10). Dietrich led the NLL in goals-against average (10.96) and save percentage (.789) when he first won the Goaltender of the Year Award in 2005.

Buffalo's all-time franchise leader in wins (33) and saves (2,447), Dietrich currently ranks second in league history in saves (4,633), trailing only Dallas Eliuk (5,746) of Portland. The 36-year old goaltender set a new career-high during 2006 in save percentage and his lowest career goals-against average, breaking the mark of 10.32 he set in the 1994 season when he played for the Detroit Turbos.

In 15 games this season, Dietrich made 568 saves and allowed just 135 goals - fewest allowed among all goaltenders who appeared in at least 14 games as he posted 10-4 regular-season record.

The voting for all player awards were submitted by Governors, General Managers and Head Coaches of the league's eleven member clubs after the conclusion of the regular season and prior to the start of the Champion's Cup Playoffs.

Tickets for the 2006 RBK NLL Championship Game Presented By Edge Active Care, in which the Bandits will face the Colorado Mammoth at 6:00 p.m. on May 13 at HSBC Arena, are available in person at the HSBC Arena Box Office, all tickets.com outlets in Tops Markets, online at www.bandits.com, tickets.com or charge by phone at 1-888-223-6000.

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