NLL Insider

Craig Point is one of the league’s top players. He’s also a great guy with a focus on his family. In this Q&A, Craig talks about the person behind the gear and his largest lacrosse influence.

As the No. 3 overall selection in the 2007 NLL Entry Draft, Point’s lacrosse accomplishments have been well documented. He led Onondaga Community College (OCC) to its first ever National Championship and helped capture the Minto Cup with the Six Nations in 2007. Point also led the Iroquois Nationals in scoring at the last World Indoors.

The right-handed forward from Ohsweken, Ontario, has looked really solid thus far in the pro league as well. Playing within Minnesota’s team-offense, Point’s fit in right away and has been a key contributor to the Swarm’s quick start. 

The 22-year-old tallied eight points in his first ever NLL game, and now sits third on the team in points scored with six goals and 14 points.

Minnesota sits atop the East Division standings in a tie with Philadelphia who are also 3-0 to start the season.

“Craig scores goal scorers’ goals and I’m looking forward to watching him for years,” said Minnesota GM Marty O’Neill. “Point gives us depth up-front, and in reply to Ted Jenner’s outlandish comment (in an earlier Insider Pick ‘Ems), another reason to show up in the win column besides just Nick Patterson.”

I spoke with Point recently…

Did you give thought to playing more college ball?
“Yeah, I did one semester of junior college at Onondaga Community College (OCC). I won a national championship there, their first one ever. Then after that I just kind of quit school and stayed around here and worked for my family.”

How excited are you to now be playing in the pro league?
“That’s been my dream. I’ve set a lot of goals for myself and most of them have been accomplished, except for school-wise. Never went that route. So, right now I’m in the pros. I’m lucky to be here, I guess. It was always my goal as a little kid. I’m here now at the top of the league. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

You talked about goals. Do you have any personal goals this year?
“A couple of guys on our reserve here, we’ve just got a little bet going with me and Dean Hill. I gotta get more goals than him this year, because he has the franchise record for our team (32). I’ve got to be the guy that beats him this year… So that’s one of my goals for the team this year. And just kind of play as a leader, as a veteran, and not as a rookie.”

Dean Hill collected 32 goals and 53 points in 14 games last season, after playing in just two games in 2006. He’s got six goals, 11 points this year, while Point has six goals, 14 points.

What do you do to try and improve your game?
“I always kind of worked on my shot. I always try and fool around with my stick just like when I’m walking around the house I’ll pick-up my stick and shoot around. When I go work-out I just work on things like back-hands, reverse-back-hands or no-look passes, stuff like that… When I go to the arena I’ll also do sprints here and there. I don’t really lift too much weight. I just kind of work on my conditioning. I’m not in the best shape I could be in, but I feel pretty good out there.”

Do you have any pre-game rituals?
“Oh yeah, there’s a bunch of those. It’s kind of ridiculous sometimes… I guess I could name a couple. Doing up my left-shoe first all of the time. I’ll put my left-sock on first. Even if I happen to put my right-one on by accident, I’ll take it off to put my left-one on. Same thing for my arm-pads.”

Now I’ve heard your favorite quote is “Bang On”. What’s that mean?
“It’s just something our Junior team came up with. Like our stick would be ‘bang on’ or just shoot out good. Then it steered down to other things. Like when they were talking about a girl or something they’d say ‘oh, she’s bang on’.

Nice. I also read on the Swarm site that you’ve got a young son and work construction. How do you find that balance?
“I just found a job closer to home. I actually work right across the road from my house now… I do everything with my son, as much as I can. I’m supposed to be having another one in June. Not many people know about that. He’s excited to have a brother hopefully.”

Congratulations.
“Thanks. Yeah, just been looking forward to that really. So just been working and playing lacrosse mostly, and whenever I get a chance to spend time with my family I do. I know there are times when they get sad when I come and leave but it’s got to be done. I hope they never feel left out at all. They support me 100%”

Last question: Who’s influenced your lacrosse game?
The coach I had most of my life was Jason Johnson. He was a big part of my life. He pretty much taught me everything I know. Anything and everything I pretty much learnt from him… He’s basically the one I had all my life through minor. He’d tell me things I’d do wrong, things I do right. And he’d get on me and tell me if I could do better. He’d just push me to the limit. He’s pretty much the reason why I am the way I am now.”

Craig, thanks again. Appreciate your time.
No problem. Anytime.

Rate This Story:

(11 votes, average: 4.18 out of 5)

 Loading ...