NLL announces Edge Defensive Player of the Year and Transition Player of the Year
Published on May 12, 2008 under National Lacrosse League (NLL) News Release
Ryan Cousins of the Minnesota Swarm is the winner of the league's Edge Defensive Player of the Year Award for the second straight season. The defenseman played in all sixteen of Minnesota's regular season games and anchored the defense on a Swarm club that finished the regular season with a 10-6 record. The ten wins marked a franchise-high for the Swarm in its four-season history, and they hosted their first-ever home playoff game this season. "Ryan is our captain and the main ingredient in our quick transition from expansion team to competitor", said Swarm General Manager Marty O'Neill. "He is always assigned to stop one of the top two offensive players among our opponents and does a great job. He's just as valuable in our dressing room as a vocal leader, with great character and tremendous people skills. He also has the green light to head up the floor when he sees a scoring opportunity". Cousins scored nine goals and five assists for fourteen points during the season. Two of his goals were game-winning scores in overtime.
Mark Steenhuis of the Buffalo Bandits is the winner of the league's Transition Player of the Year Award. Steenhuis tallied 75 points on 34 goals and 41 assists while helping the Bandits to a 10-6 regular season record and the East Division title. His 34 goals and 75 points were tops among all transition players in the league. Steenhuis also scooped up 121 loose balls during the regular season, which tied for fifth most among transition players. The Transition Player of the Year Award was created during the 2007 season. Steve Toll of the Rochester Knighthawks won the award last season.
The award winners are chosen by a vote of the leagues coaches, general managers, and executives. Voting for the awards took place following the conclusion of the regular season and prior to the start of the playoffs.
The National Lacrosse League will continue to announce the winners of the league awards for the 2008 season through May 15th. The announcements continue on Tuesday with the Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie Team. The announcements will continue this week, leading up to the announcement of the Most Valuable Player for the 2008 NLL season on Thursday, May 15th. The MVP announcement comes just prior to the 2008 Edge NLL Championship Game on Saturday, May 17, as the Buffalo Bandits host the Portland LumberJax at 7:30pm Eastern at HSBC Arena.
National Lacrosse League Stories from May 12, 2008
- ESPN2 & ESPN360 to broadcast Edge 2008 National Lacrosse League Championship Game - NLL
- National Lacrosse League Championship to Air on ESPN2 and ESPN360.com - NLL
- Buffalo's Mark Steenhuis Named Transition Player Of The Year - Buffalo Bandits
- Swarm's Ryan Cousins Named Edge NLL Defensive Player of the Year - Minnesota Swarm
- NLL announces Edge Defensive Player of the Year and Transition Player of the Year - NLL
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