NLL Insider

There are a few topics to discuss this week in our extended version of the rookie report, where lately we’ve been tracking rookies and sophomores. This post also mentions a couple of soon to be National Lacrosse League (NLL) rookies and potential stars.

Champions

Calgary was the class of the NLL this season, going 15-4 overall. Reading the playoff reviews, however, Tracey Kelusky noted the team may have not received proper recognition during the season. “Maybe now we’ll get some respect that we are the No. 1 team,” Kelusky told CBC.

The Carnegie brothers fit that sentiment of flying under the radar. The two sophomore defenders logged a lot of minutes and played well, despite a few penalties against on Friday night. Mike also had the eventual game winner into an empty net.

Dane Dobbie was everything the ‘Necks could have hoped for. After playing in just five contests last year, Dobbie led the ‘Necks in scoring this regular season and was third overall in playoff points. He tallied two goals and four points in the final.

Cayle Ratcliff and Peter McFetridge lifted the cup over the weekend as well – with their jerseys thrown over street clothes. Both are Top 15 overall NLL entry draft picks that are being brought along slowly in Calgary.

Curtis Manning is another example of how the Roughnecks’ depth has allowed them to win now and also build for the future. Manning stated prior to last year’s NLL Entry Draft that he’d play out his senior year at Simon Fraser University, yet the ‘Necks still took him with their first pick, sixth overall.

Manning is now expected to join the WLA New Westminster Salmonbellies who also add the Titans’ Rory Smith and return NLL All-Pro Jordan Hall. Both Hall and Smith were great for New York this year as sophomores. New York rookies Stephen Peyser, Jeff Bigas and Steve Ammann also were key contributors for the third year franchise.

Peyser was not his dominant self on the face-offs last weekend, but still won 50% of the draws giving the Titans an opportunity to win the NLL Champion’s Cup. We noted in an article picked up by ESPN that would be one of those battles to watch in a game ultimately decided by a few key moments.

All-Rookie

The NLL Rookie of the Year (ROY) and All-Rookie team selections were recently announced.

Rhys Duch took home ROY honors while the league stated Daryl Veltman finished a close second in ROY voting. Also making the All-Rookie team was Tyler Richards, Kevin Buchanan, Paul Rabil and Stephen Peyser. That line-up is identical to our earlier NLL Insider picks, with the exception of Rabil for defender Jon Harnett.

It is nice to see American field lacrosse players finding success in the NLL. Buchanan, Rabil and Peyser were not only NLL rookies this year, they were also playing their first-ever seasons of indoor box lacrosse – pro or amateur.

Next Tuesday, we’ll take a closer look at that dynamic of American field lacrosse players making the transition from outdoor to indoor, and share feedback from field lacrosse stars Paul Rabil and Matt Danowski.

Summer Box

Also, just a reminder to keep it locked here to the NLLinsider.com all summer as your favorite stars compete in the WLA and MSL. We’ll also have in-depth coverage of the Junior teams and top NLL Entry Draft prospects, plus a look at American MLL rookies on the NLL radar, player polls and more.

The Junior scene is well under-way already and a number of players are looking to become house-hold names. Out West, the NLL Lumberjax’s Matt Yager leads the BC Jr. ‘A’ Lacrosse League (BCJALL) in scoring.

Despite each still having three years left of Jr. ‘A’, Casey Jackson and Karson Leung are also atop the BCJALL scoring charts for Victoria.

“Casey can score inside or outside, has a wicked outside shot and the athleticism to cut inside,” added Victoria coach Danny Green. “I see a lot of Cory Conway in Casey as both are PP specialists with similar stick skills.”

Conway, of course, already has two years of pro NLL experience under his belt with the ‘Jax, despite just graduating from the Junior ranks last year. Cory finished second on the ‘Jax in team scoring in 2009.

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