NLL National Lacrosse League

League Announces Subway First and Second All-Pro Teams

May 11, 2005 - National Lacrosse League (NLL) News Release


The National Lacrosse League has announced the Subway First and Second All-Pro Teams. The First team consisted of the winners of the following categories: Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, and Goaltender of the Year. The three remaining spots for the First All-Pro Team comprise of the next three players who received the most points from votes from of the Most Valuable Player category. The Second All-League team was also selected. The Second Team is comprised of the player with the second most votes for the Goaltender of the Year and remaining spots are comprised of the next five players who received the most points from votes for the Most Valuable Player Category. The All-Pro Teams were created based on a vote by the Head Coaches, Governors and General Managers of the league's ten member clubs. The voting for all annual awards took place at the conclusion of the regular season and ended before the start of the Champion's Cup Playoffs.

Subway First Team All-Pro (Listed in no particular order of voting finish)

Steve Dietrich, Buffalo Bandits

In his thirteenth National Lacrosse League season Steve "Chugger" Dietrich earns his first First Team All-Pro Honors after winning the Aquis Goaltender of the Year award. Dietrich had previously earned Second Team All-Pro honors in 1995 and 1996. The Kitchener, Ontario native led the Bandits to an 11-5 regular season record and to a first round home game in the Champion's Cup Playoffs. "Chugger" recorded a league best .789 save percentage and posted the best goals against average (10.89) among all goaltenders this season. Dietrich tallied a 9-4 record as a starter between the pipes, good for the second best goaltender record in the league this season. The veteran also collected seven loose balls and helped the Bandits offense with three assists during the regular season. During the 2005 season, Dietrich earned Defensive Player of the Week honors twice (Week #8 and Week #15).

Andrew Turner, Rochester Knighthawks

Andrew Turner captures his first ever First Team All-Pro Honors after earning the Sportsbook.com Defensive Player of the Year award in his sixth NLL season. The Knighthawks assistant captain collected 80 loose balls and scored 13 points, all assists, this season. The Beamsville, Ontario native helped anchor a Knighthawks defense that held opponents to 179 goals against in 2005, the fewest allowed by any team this season. Turner's defensive prowess was integral in leading the Knighthawks to a 10-6 regular season record and keeping Rochester's streak of eleven consecutive playoff appearances alive. Turner's presence on defense also earned him a spot on the 2005 East Division All-Star team.

Dan Dawson, Arizona Sting

Dan Dawson of the Arizona Sting earns his first ever All-Pro honors in his fourth NLL season. The Oakville, Ontario native scored 84 points in 2005, seventh best in the league, and lead the Arizona Sting to their first ever playoff appearance, first ever home playoff game, and their first ever Edge NLL Championship Game. Dawson's 48 goals in 2005 were good enough for second best total in the league and his 36 assists were a 17th best. Dawson earned Offensive and Overall Player of the Week honors in Week #2 and Week #6 this season. Dawson also collected 73 loose balls in 2005 and scored a game-winning goal. The 23-year-old was also selected to play in the 2005 All-Star Game where he scored a game high three goals tying Buffalo's John Tavares.

Colin Doyle, Toronto Rock

Colin Doyle of the Toronto Rock earns his second First Team All-Pro Honors in his eighth NLL season. Doyle, also a First Team All-Pro in 2003, was the 2005 points champion totaling 111 points with 42 goals and 69 assists this season. The Kitchener, Ontario native's 111 points is the fourth best single season points total in league history. Doyle, a four time Second Team All-Pro, lead the Rock to their sixth Champion's Cup Final this season and was Week #13 and Week #14 Offensive Player of the Week. The 27-year-old's 42 goals was a league wide fifth best this season and his 69 assists was the second best this season and the second highest single season assist total All-Time. Doyle was selected to the 2005 East Division All-Star team and totaled four points on one goal and three assists.

John Tavares, Buffalo Bandits

John Tavares of the Buffalo Bandits earns his twelfth First Team All-Pro honors in his fourteenth NLL season. The three-time League MVP totaled a league wide fourth best 102 points this season. The 36-year-old's 43 goals and 59 assists were each a league wide fourth best this season. The Toronto, Ontario native also collected a league wide fifth best 126 loose balls this season and notched two game-winning goals. Tavares was selected to the 2005 East Division All-Star team and scored a game high three goals tying Dan Dawson of the Arizona Sting, and he also tallied the overtime game-winning goal. Tavares was the Week #5, #7, and Week #11 Overall Player of the Week and the Week #5 and Week #11 Offensive Player of the Week.

John Grant Jr., Rochester Knighthawks

John Grant Jr. of the Rochester Knighthawks earns his third First Team All-Pro honors in his sixth NLL season. The Peterborough, Ontario native scored a league best 49 goals in 2005 and added a league wide sixth best 56 assists totaling 105 points. Grant's 105 points tied Toronto's Blaine Manning for the second best points total in the league this season. The 30-year-old also collected 83 loose balls and scored four game winning goals. Grant was the Week #4, #7, and #8 Offensive Player of the Week and the Week #4 and Week #8 Overall Player of the Week this season. Grant was selected to the 2005 East Division All-Star team and totaled two points on one goal and one assist.

Subway Second Team All-Pro

Bob Watson, Toronto Rock

Bob Watson earns his first All-Pro selection since 2001. The veteran goaltender has previously earned All-Pro Honors four times, First Team in 2000 and 2001, and Second Team in 1998 and 1999. The Guelph, Ontario native had a lot of weight placed on his shoulders as the Rock traded Anthony Cosmo during the preseason. Watson posted a league best 11-4 record, with an impressive goals against average (11.78) and a save percentage of .757. Watson also collected 13 loose balls and helped the Rock offense with three assists during the regular season. Watson was co-winner of the Player of the Month Award for March, and earned Defensive Player of the Week honors twice (Week #7 and Week #13).

Josh Sanderson, Toronto Rock

Josh Sanderson earns his fourth consecutive All-Pro selection (fifth in his career). The Rock playmaker was the key component of Toronto's league-best offense. Sanderson was previously named First Team All-Pro in 2002, and Second Team All-Pro in 2000, 2003 and 2004. The Orangeville, Ontario native was acquired in a trade with San Jose during the off-season and has been an instant hit in Toronto. Nicknamed "Shooter", Sanderson broke his own assist record with 71 helpers, and scored 31 goals for 102 points. Josh also scooped 112 loose balls, second best on his team.

Blaine Manning, Toronto Rock

Blaine Manning earns his third consecutive All-Pro selection, previously being named Second Team All-Pro in 2003 and 2004. Manning scored 39 goals and added 66 assists for 105 points this season. Manning's 105 points was good for the second best in the league in 2005, tied with Rochester's John Grant Jr. The Calgary, Alberta native's 66 assists was the third best assist total in the league this season. Manning was the Week #3 and Week #15 Overall and Offensive Player of the Week. The 25-year-old also collected 83 loose balls and notched two game-winning goals.

Jim Veltman, Toronto Rock

Jim Veltman of the Toronto Rock earned his fifth Second Team All-Pro honors and his 12th overall selection. Veltman, the returning league MVP and seven time First Team All-Pro, notched his twelfth loose balls title in as many season with 193. The 39 year old scored eight goals and added 28 assists for 36 points this season and scored a game-winning goal. At the 2005 All-Star Game, the Brampton, Ontario native represented the Eastern Division and notched two points on one goal and one assist in the game.

Gary Gait, Colorado Mammoth

Gary Gait of the Colorado Mammoth earned his first ever Second Team All-Pro selection and his fifteenth overall selection in 2005. Gait was a First Team All-Pro in each of his fourteen previous seasons. In his final season, Gait was ninth on the scoring list this season with 81 points on 33 goals and 48 assists. The Victoria, British Columbia native collected 81 loose balls and scored a game-winning goal this season and was the Week #10 Offensive Player of the Week. Gait was chosen to represent the 2005 West Division All-Star team and scored a goal in the contest.

Tracey Kelusky, Calgary Roughnecks

Tracey Kelusky of the Calgary Roughnecks earned his fifth All-Pro honors in as many seasons. Kelusky, a two time First Team All-Pro and three time Second Team All-Pro totaled 77 points on 45 goals and 32 assists this season. Kelusky also scooped up 77 loose balls and notched one game-winning goal in 2005. The Peterborough, Ontario native was the Week #16 Overall and Offensive Player of the Week. The 29-year-old was selected to the West Division All-Star Team and was named the game's Most Valuable Player.

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