NLL Insider

The rookie rankings are pretty solid as we enter the back stretch — with Duch, Veltman, Peyser and Buchanan leading the hunt for Rookie of the Year (ROY) hardware. A new rookie goaltender cracks this week’s Top 10, however. After the jump, also hear from the coaches of San Jose and Boston on this year’s top two ROY candidates.

Top 10 (NLL) Rookie Rankings

1. Rhys Duch, San Jose – Duch scored five goals and eight points on Saturday and then contributed another four assists on Sunday to help the Stealth stay in the playoff hunt. Overall, he’s fifth in league scoring and on pace to break the all-time rookie scoring record (82), averaging 5.38 points per game.

“Rhys has been everything we expected and more,” added coach Chris Hall. “He has been a consistent performer game in and game out and has displayed excellent leadership skills as well. He is clearly a threat to be reckoned with in the NLL and has helped immensely in making the San Jose offense one of the most potent in the league.”

“I’ve been told that I’m on pace to break the rookie scoring record, but to be honest I don’t even want to know what the record is until the end of the year,” said Duch, who also coaches a local high-school team. “I need to focus on winning rather than shooting for a number, although it is very exciting.”

2. Daryl Veltman, Boston – Dan Dawson is currently on pace to break the all-time assists record (71) and Daryl Veltman has been a big part of that campaign, leading Boston in goals scored. Sitting Top 15 overall in league scoring, Veltman again led the Blazers’ offense on the weekend scoring three goals and six points against Rochester.

“We have a handful of scorers who step up from night to night, but Daryl provides us with the outside threat which makes defenses honest and prevents them from focusing primarily on Dan Dawson,” added coach Tom Ryan. “He is a great outside shooter and equally adept at finishing in close. It is no surprise that he is leading the team in goals.”

3. Stephen Peyser, New York – The league leader in face-off wins and the only rookie selected to this year’s All-Star Game, Peyser again dominated on Saturday winning 18 of 23 draws to help New York beat Buffalo, the East’s top team.

4. Kevin Buchanan, Minnesota – Buchanan also collected three goals and six points over the weekend and continues to be one of the league’s hottest players after sitting the first month of the season in Minnesota.

5. Jon Harnett, Boston – Harnett had an off-week on Saturday being whistled for three penalties against. Still, he collected two assists on the weekend and has established himself as the league’s best rookie defender.

6. Paul Rabil, San Jose – The reigning ‘NLL Transition Player of the Week’, Rabil scored three goals and four more points on the weekend. Rabil is physically strong on the defensive end as well.

7. Jordan Levine, Philadelphia – The steal of last year’s NLL Entry Draft, Jordan Levine’s play continues to impress as he picked up nine loose balls and assisted on two goals in Philly’s important win last Saturday.

8. Gary Bining, Boston – Bining had two goals on five shots last weekend and is third overall in rookie point scoring. The Blazers also like how he works off ball to help create space for Veltman.

9. Tyler Richards, San Jose – Richards, who boasts a save percentage of 81%, came up large for the Stealth on Sunday in a must-win, stopping 43 of 49 shots in relief of Matt Roik who allowed two goals on two shots.

Fellow rookie netminder Joel Weber also looked great in Portland’s cage, stopping 14 of 15 shots to bump his save percentage to 83% on the season.

10. Tim Campeau, Portland – Although the ‘Jax only tallied eight times on Sunday, Campeau was again in on half of his team’s goals. ‘Jax rookie forward Derek Lowe also picked up three points in his first taste of ’09 action.

Watch List

Jamie Floris Edmonton, Matt Danowski Colorado, Tyler Crompton Colorado, Alex Turner San Jose, Joe Walters Rochester, Andrew Watt Minnesota, Steve McKinlay San Jose, Brett Queener Boston, Greg Downing Boston, Brett Manney San Jose, Peter McFetridge Calgary, Brandon Atherton Edmonton.

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