NLL Insider

How does Philly's Max Seibald rank among NLL rookies? (Photo: Larry Palumbo)

Of the Top 10 rookies we’ve been listing in our National Lacrosse League Rookie Report since the beginning of this season, 2 of ‘em were out of action this past weekend, 1 is on the shelf with an injury and yet another was on the pine, serving a 1-game suspension. That’s gotta have some kinda effect on how things look among the top NLL rooks and this week’s list reflects that. We dropped 2 of the boys down to honorable mention, shifted the order of the others and introduced 2 new rookies to the Top 10. Who are the new guys on the NLLInsider.com list of rookies? Turn the page and check it.

Billings

1. Garrett Billings, F, Toronto Rock: The right-hander scored 2 goals and assisted on another as the Rock’s losing streak reached 4 games with a home overtime loss to the Buffalo Bandits. He’s still the top-scoring rookie in the NLL with 61 points and he’s on pace to finish the regular season with 89 points.

2. Stephan Leblanc, F, Toronto Rock: The left-hander scored 1 goal and assisted on 1 in the home overtime loss to the Buffalo Bandits. His 55 points still ranks No. 2 overall among all rooks in the NLL.

3. Alex Gajic, F, Colorado Mammoth: The right-hander scored 5 goals on just 8 shots on goal in the loss to Edmonton. He scored all 3 of Colorado’s goals in the fourth quarter. He’s got 26 points now, moving past brother Ilija for No. 3 among NLL rookies.

4. Ilija Gajic, F, Colorado Mammoth: The lefty was a scratch for the loss to Edmonton.

5. Matt Beers, D, Washington Stealth: The Stealth finally snapped their 3-game losing streak with an impressive road win over Calgary, but Beers missed the fun while serving a 1-game suspension.

6. Ryan Hotaling, T, Boston Blazers: Won 15 of 21 faceoffs in home OT loss to Buffalo and scooped a team-high 13 loose balls. He has emerged nicely not only as the team’s faceoff man, but a reliable one.

7. Dane Stevens, F, Edmonton Rush: The big lefty (6-4, 215 pounds) makes his debut on the list after scoring 1 goal and assisting on 1 in the road win over Colorado. Kid’s played just 3 games this season, but he’s produced with every chance he gets. He’s got 4 goals and 5 assists for 9 points.

8. Max Seibald, T, Philadelphia Wings: Another debut for the list, he had 1 goal and 6 loosies in the road loss to Orlando, then had 7 loosies in the big home win over Minnesota. He’s a raw talent right now, but once his game is molded for the barns, watch out. Just imagine what he’ll do with a team training camp under his belt.

9. Sid Smith, D, Rochester Knighthawks: Scooped 6 loose balls in home loss to Orlando where the defensive unit was pretty solid. Unit and Smith pay the price for an absent offense.

10. Curtis Manning, D, Calgary Roughnecks: Scooped 6 loose balls as the team’s 4-game win streak came to an end with a home loss to Washington.

Honorable mention and rookie notes: Minnesota F Zack Greer was a scratch for the Swarm’s road loss to Philadelphia … Orlando D Jesse Guerin scored 1 goal and assisted on 3 in his NLL debut … Philadelphia F Kevin Huntley had 1 goal and 1 assist in Friday’s road loss to Orlando, then had 1 goal and 2 assists in the home win over Minnesota on Saturday … Buffalo Bandits F Kyle Clancy had 1 assist in the win over Toronto, but didn’t play in the road game against Boston … Washington F Joel Dalgarno had 1 assist and 3 loosies in his first game since Feb. 19. He’s got 5 assists in his 4 games and the Stealth is 3-1 when he’s in the lineup … Edmonton F Corey Small was 1-1 with 7 loosies in road win over Colorado … Colorado T Brad Richardson won 19 of 27 faceoffs in home loss to Edmonton … Toronto D Drew Petkoff had a team-high 11 loosies in home loss to Buffalo. …. Buffalo D Chris Corbeil is on the shelf for a few weeks with a lower body injury. His 57 loose balls still is No. 2 on the team.

Rookie bonus: A pair of rookies dropped the gloves last weekend when Toronto’s Drew Petkoff traded punches with Buffalo’s Steve Priolo. Both connected on some solid punches but you gotta hand it to Priolo. Dude went at it just 1 week after squaring off with Orlando’s Rory Smith, who landed a solid knock to Priolo’s grill. Check out the vid as posted by MegaLaxgirl and then vote on the winner of the bout.

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