
Ryan Dilks Named 2023.24 NLL Defensive Player of the Year
May 16, 2024 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Vancouver Warriors News Release
Vancouver, BC - The National Lacrosse League (NLL) announced today that Ryan Dilks has been named the winner of the NLL Defensive Player of the Year Award. This is the first time in franchise history that a Warriors player has won the award, and the second time that Dilks has been named the Defensive Player of the Year, having won in the 2015.16 season as a member of the Saskatchewan Rush.
"He's a premier defenceman in the National Lacrosse League," said Curt Malawsky, Head Coach and General Manager. "He's such a humble and respectful guy. He understands culture, he understands winning, and he understands our core values. For him, being able to show up week in and week out and compete at that high of a level, it's something special. The best part about this award is that he was acknowledged by his peers in the NLL."
Dilks, having already been named the Warriors co-Team MVP, as well as the team's Defensive Player of the Year and Teammate of the Year, enjoyed a successful first season in Vancouver. The Hamilton, ON native set a franchise record with 46 caused turnovers, to go along with six points (1-5-6), 102 loose balls and 14 blocked shots.
The Hamilton, ON native has played in 194 career NLL games, posting 107 points (31-76-107) along with 817 loose balls, and 308 caused turnovers, a mark which places him second all-time in NLL history.
• Discuss this story on the National Lacrosse League message board...
National Lacrosse League Stories from May 16, 2024
- Albany FireWolves Sign 10-Year-Old with Cancer to One-Day Contract - Albany FireWolves
- San Diego Seals Cap a Record-Breaking 14-Win Season with a Trip to the Semifinals - San Diego Seals
- Bandits vs. FireWolves: How to Watch, Schedule, and Storylines Ahead of the NLL Finals - Buffalo Bandits
- Ryan Dilks: Exceeding Expectations as NLL's Top Shutdown Defender - Vancouver Warriors
- Ryan Dilks Named 2023.24 NLL Defensive Player of the Year - Vancouver Warriors
- Nick Rose Wins NLL Goalie of the Year Award - Toronto Rock
- Withers Wins NLL's Transition Player of the Year Award - Halifax Thunderbirds
- Byrne Named NLL Offensive Player of the Year - Buffalo Bandits
- Buffalo's Byrne, Vancouver's Dilks, Halifax's Withers and Toronto's Rose Take NLL Positional Player of the Year Awards - NLL
- National Lacrosse League: Ten Things to Know for NLL Finals Presented by AXIA Time - NLL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Vancouver Warriors Stories
- Warriors Build a Foundation for the Future with First-Ever Semifinal Appearance
- NLL Announces 2024.25 Awards Finalists
- Warriors Season Comes to a Close in 11-9 Loss to Buffalo Bandits
- Game Day Playoff Preview - Warriors vs Bandits
- Warriors Look to Bounce Back in Game 2 After Semifinal Opener against Bandits

