NLL Insider

Some rocky play from NLL rookies the past couple of weeks, but Jordan Hall continued to shine and keeps his position at the top of our Rookie Rankings.

Again, a rookie also contributed big in a one-goal game as Peter Jacobs scored the game winner in a 16-15 victory over the Western Division’s top team, Colorado. Though Insider Bob Chavez may have been able to score that one with Dan Dawson breaking down the D and feeding Jacobs who was alone on the crease with loads of time. Still, the league’s youngest player finished and now has eight points in six games played.

Your Top 10 NLL Rookie Rankings after the jump

Top 10 NLL Rookies

1 (1) Jordan Hall, New York (6-5) – Contributed seven points in New York’s 20-13 win over Philly. The Titans remain a 0.5 back of a playoff position and have been one of the surprise teams of the year. Hall is No. 16 overall in league points with 51 in 11 games played.

2 (2) Craig Point, Minnesota (7-3) – Had a bye after a team high four goals and six points the prior week in a Swarm win. Minnesota sits second in the East and Craig Point sits Top 15 overall in the league with 21 goals scored this season.

3 (4) Tyler Codron, Portland (4-7) – After career highs in his previous weekend of action, Codron again contributed including a key transition goal to help the ‘Jax improve their playoff positioning out West.

4 (5) Kyle Ross, Minnesota – Some say Ross should be a serious contender for All-Rookie team in 2008. Had a bye last weekend.

5 (3) Jaime Rooney, Philadelphia (7-2) – Held without a goal for the first time in his nine game NLL career last weekend versus New York in that loss. The Wings are still first in the East.

6 (6) Merrick Thomson, Philadelphia – One goal on 21 shots over his last two games.

7 (7) Brandon Swamp and (T-7) Kyle Schmelzle, Buffalo (7-5) – Swamp actually didn’t play last weekend in a Bandits’ loss. He didn’t start the year either, and the young rookie has proven to be a key piece to Buffalo’s success this season.

8 (8) Steve Panarelli, San Jose (6-4) – Panarelli is getting better ever game and logging quite a bit of playing on time with a young group in San Jose that looks to be coming together. The Stealth are now tied for first in the Western Division after their 13-12 win over Calgary last weekend.

9 (NR) Mitch Belisle, New York – Picked up career highs last weekend with two goals, three points and nine gbs. In fact, they were his first ever points in seven games and more are likely to come. Last year’s NCAA Defender of the Year told us last week that he is still learning when to push the ball up floor.

10 (9) Frank Resetarits, San Jose – Seems to be a streaky performer. Had one goal and three points last week, after zero goals the week prior. Tons of talent in San Jose but Resetarits will have to be more of an offensive threat if the Stealth are to win down the stretch.

Out

NR (10) Justin Norbraten, Minnesota – Although his skill set and athleticism could put him Top 10 in the Rookies Rankings, he just isn’t receiving the minutes right now in Minnesota.

Honorable Mention

NR (NR) Sean Morris, San Jose – As Insider Chris Hall noted, Morris looked impressive with two goals and two assists in his NLL debut. He’s more dynamic than Resetarits and Tom Johnson and could turn out to a sleeper signing.

Morris, a former UMass Minuteman star, was a two-time finalist for the Tewaaraton Trophy and was also selected third overall in the MLL draft. But his lack of box experience dropped him in the NLL draft. Morris was actually the very last player selected in the 2006 NLL Entry Draft by Colorado, then later traded to Boston. San Jose selected Morris in the second round of this year’s dispersal draft at No. 18 overall.

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