NLL Insider

It was like someone flipped the switch on Jeff Shattler’s back during the summer of 2005.

After a pretty serious shoulder injury that kept Shattler from pursuing an NCAA or CHL hockey career and then later a trade that sent him to the Brampton Jr. Excels from the Missy Tommies, Shattler’s stock has gone through the roof during both seasons of ball. And the best thing? The Calgary transitional stud shows absolutely no signs of slowing down.

Shattler is more than capable of playing a full-time role at either end of the court, but due to his speed, athleticism, and maturing game sense, the Necks now own one of the most dynamic two-way prospects that’s come down the pipe in quite awhile.

It’s funny that Shattler was actually drafted by the Buffalo Bandits, but was never able to crack the current NLL champs lineup, cuz Jeff’s in-your-face, gutsy, never say die style of play woulda fit perfectly into Darris Kilgour’s lineup. Sure the Necks aren’t complaining that Buffalo never had room for him.

Shattler’s versatility has allowed Calgary to transition in both areas of the rug after making a number of moves over the past year that has changed the make-up of their lineup pretty substantially.

Although the Riggers’ 2008 season wasn’t one most would consider a banner year, considering the amount of deals and injuries that lineup had thrust upon it, last year wasn’t all that bad. And a big reason for that was… Jeff Shattler.

Shattler’s play also ended up being pretty crucial for the Brampton Excels this past summer, winning his first major team hardware when the Excelsiors dumped New West four games to none.

Can anyone hold this kid down? Good luck to anyone that tries, cuz on speed alone, you don’t stand a chance.

Does Shattler belong in the NLL Insider Top 50? Hit the boards and let us know what your Top 50 looks like heading into the 2009 NLL season…

#50 Matt Roik, San Jose Stealth
#49 Jon Sullivan, Minnesota Swarm
#48 Billy Dee Smith, Buffalo Bandits
#47 Steve Toll, Rochester Knighthawks
#46 Jarett Park, New York Titans
#45 Bruce Murray, Colorado Mammoth
#44 Shawn Evans, Rochester Knighthawks
#43 Peter Lough, Toronto Rock
#42 Matt Vinc, New York Titans
#41 Jeff Shattler, Calgary Roughnecks

Hit this link for NLL Insider’s Top 50 archive and keep checkin’ back every week as we countdown the top 50 best in the pro game, with #1 being named just before the NLL season kicks off.

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