NLL Insider

Coquitlam Adanac forward, Robert Church

This week in the Junior of the Year watch, we’re gonna focus on ten early favourites for national MVP honours that have impressed so far this summer.

The “big names” might not be on here yet though. Guys like Curtis Dickson, Mark Matthews and Michael Pires, who are still playing a bit of catch-up after returning a little late while they finished up at school, are definitely worthy of praise, but as we mentioned before, the JOTY’s factor in this year, and this year only.

So, after the jump, check out ten guys from across the country who’ve impressed the hell out of us so far in ‘09.

Players listed in alphabetical order. This is not a ranking.

Robert Church, Coquitlam Adanacs (BCJALL)
Stat line… 13GP-32G-42A-74Pts
Even though Cody Bremner got a year-end shout-out on the All-Pro Team last year in BC, rookies in the summer loop don’t usually get the mainstream recognition they deserve, those honours many times held for kids that are graduating. Bottom line, first year Jr. and last year’s Int. A MVP, Robert Church, deserves heavy consideration for not only BC’s MVP nod, but the JOTY’s top prize too. Church has lit the league on fire, scoring often, big and seemingly at will. He’s one of the most dangerous, consistent O guys in Canada and deserves serious praise for the year he is having. Ditto for other rooks like Karsen Leung, Casey Jackson and Blake Duncan.

Kevin Crowley, New Westminster Salmonbellies (BCJALL)
Stat line… 10-26-26-52
Crowley, who missed just a few games at the start of the year, has been pouring it on heavy since joining the Bellies in ‘09. The Stony Brook middie, who coincidently led the Seawolves in scoring in just his second year at the school this past season, has been a force during the BCJALL season while averaging over five points per game. Crowley has stepped up and taken over New West’s O, from guys likes of Alex Turner and Kyle Belton, and hasn’t missed a beat on the scoring charts or leadership department.

Danny Dahms, Calgary Raiders (RMLL)
Stat line… 13-17-10-27
The best two-way guy in the country? Many in Alberta definitely think so. Dahms is a relentless work horse in his own end and is finishing on the press likely more than any player in Canada. The 5′7″ tranny is almost impossible to get a leash on on most nights, including last night in a huge rematch with the Mounties, scoring a hat-trick in a 10-8 win over their Calgary counterparts. Kids a vacuum on loosies too, just like his current coach, Bruce Codd. Dahms is custom made for the style the Raiders are playing this summer.

Simon Giourmetakis, Edmonton Eclipse (RMLL)
Stat line… 13-25-34-59
Considered by most to be Alberta’s top junior stud, Giourmetakis continues to live up to that billing with the Eclipse this summer. Girourmetakis has taken on even more of Edmonton’s O load this year, scoring 59 this season in 13, last year with 36 in the same amount of games. He’s as deadly with the ball as he is unselfish, and just as athletic as anyone in the province. The Eclipse’s captain is easily one of the most impactful players out there today, no matter what province he plays in.

Scott Jones, Port Coquitlam Saints (BCJALL)
Stat line… 15-33-32-65
Rarely do players not in their last year playing for a team near the bottom of the standings get much end of season hype, but hard to ignore PoCo’s Jones, who has been one of the this year’s top power forwards. The 6′5″, 210lbs+ sniper has taken his game to another level this year, tearing up the scoring charts, currently third just behind only Church and Trevor Moore. Probably not the way the Saints were hoping to see their ‘09 play out, but hard to ignore Jones’ impressive run.

Mat MacLeod, Orangeville Northmen (OLA)
Stat line… 10-22-23-45
MacLeod has been one of this year’s most versatile, do-anything (and everything) players, all while playing for arguably the best team in the country. He’s got the work ethic, skill and even stats to go toe-to-toe with anyone in the junior game. Check out our recent breakdown of MacLeod in our Eastern Prospects Already in the Pros.

Andrew Potter, St. Catharines Athletics (OLA)
Stat line… 12-28-44-72
Many already feel that Potter’s dominance of this year’s scoring charts should lock him up as OLA’s MVP after the regular season, and for anyone that’s watched him play this year, it might be tough to argue otherwise. He’s one of the most marked men in the league and has either scored or assisted on over half of the A’s 140 goals as of Wednesday night. Would have to think he’d be on absolutely everyone’s shortlist for JOTY consideration at this point.

Carlton Schuss, Delta Islanders (BCJALL)
Stat line… 14-20-23-43
BC’s player of the week this past week, Schuss plays with his heart on his sleeve and is near impossible to handle once he decides to plow to the cage. He’s gritty and loves to challenge the opposition, making him not the most well liked guy outside of Delta, but doubt that bothers him too much. Effort (as usual) hasn’t been an issue for Schuss this year, staying out of the box more often, which has seen his O numbers sky rocket. Tough, skilled and determined.

Randy Staats, Six Nations Arrows (OLA)
Stat line… 13-19-29-48
It’d be almost impossible to replace Cody Jamieson’s kicks, but Staats has looked damn good this summer as the Arrows’ main scoring threat, just like he was last year as an underager with Six Nations. Few at his age (’92) have taken on such a demanding role, and even fewer with the results Staats is producing.

Andrew Suitor, Orangeville Northmen (OLA)
Stat line… 12-7-21-29
Guys like Suitor almost never get any kinda individual year-end recognition (did win the Dean MacLeod award in last year’s playoffs though, much deserved). His physical, ruthless style of play isn’t always pretty, but it’s beyond useful. He’ll drop the mitts with absolutely anyone, but still plays with a team-first attitude that keeps the Northmen honest and hard working. He’s a warrior in every sense of the word and goes for broke every night out. He’ll shut down the opposition’s top O guys, but at the same time has good O sense. NLL GM’s are already giving him serious looks, even though he’s penciled in for another two years at Adrian College (DIII).

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