NLL announces Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie Team
May 13, 2008 - National Lacrosse League (NLL) News Release
Minnesota Swarm forward Craig Point was named the 2008 National Lacrosse League Rookie of the Year. The 21-year-old right-hander led all rookies with 27 goals, and added 34 assists and 74 loose balls to help the Swarm secure a franchise-best 10-6 record.
Joining Point on the All-Rookie Team is: Merrick Thomson and Jamie Rooney of the Philadelphia Wings, Tyler Codron of the Portland LumberJax, Jordan Hall of the New York Titans and Bobby McBride of the Chicago Shamrox.
2008 ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
Craig Point, Minnesota Swarm (Rookie of the Year) - Point led all rookies in scoring with 27 goals. The 21-year-old right-hander, who was selected third overall out of Onondoga Community College and Six Nations, was named Rookie of the Week four times.
Tyler Codron, Portland LumberJax - Codron was consistent on defense all year, playing all 16 games for the LumberJax. He scooped 68 loose balls, scored three goals and eight assists. The 21-year-old defender was selected sixth overall out of University of British Columbia.
Jordan Hall, New York Titans - Hall led all rookies in points and loose balls with 69 and 109, respectively. He scored 24 goals and 45 assists to help the second-year Titans achieve a 10-6 record. The 23-year-old left-hander, who was selected first overall by New York out of University of Delaware, was named Rookie of the Week three times.
Bobby McBride, Chicago Shamrox - McBride scooped 73 loose balls, scored eight goals and 13 assists in 13 games for Chicago. The 25-year-old transition man signed as a free agent with Chicago in September. He was named Rookie of the Week once.
Jamie Rooney, Philadelphia Wings - Rooney scored 20 goals and 23 assists, and scooped 59 loose balls in 15 games for the Wings. The 23-year-old right-hander was originally selected in the 2004 Entry Draft by Buffalo and spent three seasons as a practice player before seeing his first game action this year.
Merrick Thomson, Philadelphia Wings - Thomson scored 26 goals and 29 assists, and scooped 59 loose balls in 15 games for the Wings. The 23-year-old left-hander was selected second overall by the Wings out of University of Albany. He was named Rookie of the Week once.
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 Wednesday with the 2008 All-Pro Team and will conclude on Thursday with the announcement of the Reebok Most Valuable Player Award 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 17th, as the Buffalo Bandits host the Portland LumberJax at 7:30pm Eastern at HSBC Arena. The game will air on ESPN2 on Tuesday, May 20 at 2pm ET, and will air live on ESPN360, The Score Television Network in Canada and online at NLL.com. The game can also be heard live on SIRIUS Satellite Radio.
The schedule of announcements is as follows:
2008 NLL Season Awards
Monday 5/5 Sportsmanship Award, presented by Dodge (Dan Carey, Colorado Mammoth) Community Service Award, presented by Progressive (Chris McElroy, Edmonton Rush)
Tuesday 5/6 Executive of the Year (Tom Garrity, Minnesota Swarm) "The Tom Borrelli Award" for Writer of the Year (Paul Tutka, NLLInsider.com/Inside Lacrosse Magazine) Ticket Sales Executive of the Year (Joel Jordan, Minnesota Swarm) Marketing Executive of the Year (Brian Kitts, Colorado Mammoth) Operations Executive of the Year (Jimmy Butler, New York Titans) Sponsorships Executive of the Year (Dave Reeder, Colorado Mammoth) Public Relations Executive of the Year (Terri Workman, Toronto Rock)
Equipment Manager of the Year (Jimmy Butler, New York Titans) Athletic Trainer of the Year (Sherri Lashomb, Buffalo Bandits)
Wednesday 5/7 Goaltender of the Year, presented by the US Navy (Bob Watson, Toronto Rock)
Thursday 5/8 "Les Bartley Award" for Head Coach of the Year (Adam Mueller, New York Titans) General Manager of the Year (Marty O'Neill, Minnesota Swarm)
Saturday 5/10 Divisional Final Games
Monday 5/12 Edge Defensive Player of the Year (Ryan Cousins, Minnesota Swarm) Transition Player of the Year (Mark Steenhuis, Buffalo Bandits)
Tuesday 5/13 Rookie of the Year (Craig Point, Minnesota Swarm) and All-Rookie Team
Wednesday 5/14 All-Pro Team
Thursday 5/15 NLL 2008 Most Valuable Player Award, presented by Reebok
(end of award announcements)
Saturday 5/17
2008 Edge NLL Championship Game: Portland LumberJax at Buffalo Bandits, 7:30PM Eastern
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National Lacrosse League Stories from May 13, 2008
- Rochester's Jordan Hal Named To 2008 NLL All-Rookie Team - Rochester Knighthawks
- Titan Jordan Hall Named To 2008 NLL All-Rookie Team - Orlando Titans
- Minnesota Swarm's Craig Point Named NLL Rookie Of The Year - Minnesota Swarm
- Codron Named To All-Rookie Team - Portland Lumberjax
- NLL announces Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie Team - NLL
- Pair of Wings Named to NLL All Rookie Team - NLL
- 2008 Edge NLL Championship Broadcast Schedule - Buffalo Bandits
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