NLL Weekly Award Winners and Philadelphia Fires Coach and GM
Published on April 14, 2004 under National Lacrosse League (NLL) News Release
The National Lacrosse League announced that Rochester Knighthawks forward Shawn Williams captured the Overall and the Offensive Player of the Week awards for Week #16. Williams scored six goals and added two assists for eight points in the Knighthawks first ever win at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. Williams also collected six loose balls and scored the game-winning goal in a 13-11 win that secured home floor advantage for the Knighthawks in their first round playoffs matchup against the Buffalo Bandits (Saturday at 7:35pm Eastern). Williams leads the league in number of awards won this season in both the Overall and Offensive Player of the Week categories. The Knighthawks forward has now won the Overall Player of the Week Award three times this season and has prevailed five times as the Offensive Player of the Week, and is the only player to win the Offensive honor more than once this season.
Goaltender Pat O'Toole of the Rochester Knighthawks captures his second straight and third total Defensive Player of the Week Award for his performance between the pipes in the Knighthawks 13-11 victory over the Toronto Rock this weekend. O'Toole racked up 42 saves and allowed 11 goals in the win.
Brad MacDonald of the Calgary Roughnecks has been awarded the Rookie of the Week Award for Week #16. The Roughnecks Defenseman scored a goal and added two assists for three points and collected four loose balls in a 19-11 win over the Anaheim Storm. The award is the first ever player award for MacDonald.
WINGS RELIEVE GENERAL MANAGER MARTY O'NEILL AND HEAD COACH ADAM MUELLER OF DUTIES
Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League have relieved General Manager Marty O'Neill and Head Coach Adam Mueller of their duties effective today, according to Wings President Russ Cline.
"The Wings ownership group feels that Marty and Adam have worked harder than any combo we've ever had and they've done lots of positive things with this team," said Cline. "Unfortunately, we weren't seeing the results that we needed on the field and we believe that it was the right time to make a staffing change. This was not an easy decision because of the personal relationship we have with both of them and because we know how passionate and committed they were to making this team a success."
O'Neill, who was hired as General Manager on June 12, 2001, brought 14 of 23 current Wings players to the team's active roster during his three-year tenure. Prior to joining the Wings front office, O'Neill played eight seasons in the NLL as a goaltender with three different teams, not including the Wings.
Mueller compiled a 23-25 regular season record in three seasons (2002-2004) as the Wings head coach. During his tenure, the Wings made one playoff appearance in 2002, which resulted in a loss to the Washington Power in the first round. Mueller served as an assistant coach in 2001, helping to guide the Wings to their sixth World Championship. Prior to his coaching duties, he played 10 seasons in the NLL, including three (1997-99) with the Wings.
The Wings also announced the resignation of Assistant Coach Paul Deniken. Deniken was hired as an offensive coach on September 4, 2001 and played eight seasons with the team.
The Philadelphia Wings are owned and operated by Philadelphia Wings L.P., whose principal owners are Russ Cline, Chris Fritz and Michael French. Comcast-Spectacor serves as the marketing, promotional, advertising, sponsorship and publicity arm of the Wings.
National Lacrosse League Stories from April 14, 2004
- NLL Weekly Award Winners and Philadelphia Fires Coach and GM - NLL
- Wings Relieve General Manager Marty O'Neill And Head Coach Adam Mueller of Duties - Philadelphia Wings
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