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John Tavares and Mike Accursi. Are both Hall of Fame bound?

This week we checked in with the guys on their opinion of the National Lacrosse League Hall of Fame, again like last week, past present and future addressed.

Five or six years ago, it seemed like everyone was split on their opinion of the greatest ever player in this league. Today, based on our Player Poll results, there is a definite clear-cut favorite.

Has Gary Gait’s return to the game hurt his NLL legacy? Does Pat Coyle belong in the Hall? What current players are favorites for future Hall consideration (sorry we left you off Brodie, our bad)? Find out after the jump.

1. Who is the best NLL/MILL player of all time? You can only pick one.

0% Dallas Eliuk
56% John Tavares
0% Paul Gait
7% Darris Kilgour
30% Gary Gait
0% John Grant
0% Tom Marechek
5% Jim Veltman
2% Other

Other answers included: Pat Maddalena, Tracey Kelusky

“Game after game he is the best. No signs of slowing down. He plays just as hard in a nothing OLA game as he does in front of 18,000 people.” on Tavares

“Jim Veltman is in a league of his own, but without Gary the league would not exist.”

“He’s the MJ of our sport. Anyone who ascends to the upper reaches of the game will be compared to him… and like most, will pale in comparison.” on double G

“Tavares, but Eliuk is a close second. Two players that have done the most for their team’s success over time and championships garnered.”

“Come on…  really – have you ever tried covering him. JT is a close second.” on Gait

“He is a raw athlete with a mind for the game.” on Maddalena (and no, this was not Pat voting for himself)

“Just sick. 40 years old and he can still play.” on JT

“He just keeps putting up legit numbers and his professionalism and leadership are above and beyond anyone in the league. Still one of the best in today’s game!” on 2009 MVP candidate, John Tavares

2. Which of these retired players do you feel should have already been inducted into the NLL Hall of Fame? We included Other in case there is another retired player that you feel has been slighted. Pick as many guys you think are deserving of a spot in the Hall.

Note: Although we didn’t offer it in the original question, players either included the answer of “None” in the Other spot or simply skipped the question if they felt none of the below guys should be in the Hall. We filtered those responses and non-responses accordingly below. Also, since players were allowed to select more than one option, answers below are listed by the percentage of players that selected each option.

40% Pat Coyle
19% Kevin Finneran
17% Ted Dowling
7% Peter Jacobs
6% John Tucker
2% Scott Gabrielson
21% Andy Ogilvie
7% Other (Player)
48% Other (None of them)

Other (Player) answers included: Dewey Jacobs, Derek Keenan, Troy Cordingley, Marty O’Neill, Glenn Clark, Adam Mueller, Tom Carmean

“Won as a player and coach, plus he’s American.” on Mueller

“Finn should make it on his attire alone.”

“None, they are all average players that were serviceable for their teams. Finneran is the closest thing to a Hall of Famer but was a non factor in many big games over his career.”

“There is a lot of Hall of Fame catching up to do.” on a number of guys

3. If you could only pick five potential future Hall of Famers from the list below, which five would you pick? Definitely base your picks on what these guys have already done and even what you see them doing in the future.

Note: Just like the question above, with multiple picks by the players, the percentage from the pool that selected each option is listed.

79% Colin Doyle
5% Steve Dietrich
19% Tracey Kelusky
12% Jake Bergey
21% Casey Powell
33% Josh Sanderson
23% Dan Dawson
2% Athan Iannucci
30% Mark Steenhuis
12% Pat O’Toole
0% Mike Accursi
16% Anthony Cosmo
14% Steve Toll
86% John Grant
0% Ryan Cousins
49% Bob Watson
7% Geoff Snider
16% Shawn Williams
9% Gavin Prout
88% John Tavares

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