Top 100 NLL Players

When the 2021/22 National Lacrosse League season officially starts on December 3rd in San Diego, 635 days will have passed since the Colorado Mammoth’s Eli McLaughlin scored the league’s last goal.

Sure, there’s been some professional lacrosse that has happened since, but honestly, the sport’s best pound-for-pound pros play in the NLL. Ask anyone that has competed in and out professionally, and every honest player will pick the NLL as the more challenging, the more demanding, the more exciting, and simply the more superior of the two.

The other guys may have sharper social media skills, a more powerful public-relations push, and more friends in (really) high places, but what they can’t lay claim to is having the absolute best professional lacrosse players on the planet playing for them. The NLL has had those players competing in some of the biggest indoor arenas across North America, since 1987 in fact, and will do it again in a record-high 14 of them (hello, Panther City!) in the U.S. AND Canada in 2022.

Today, The Lax Mag ranks the NLL’s 100 best players while we head into the most anticipated season the league has had over its 35 years of existence.

To create this best-of list, the following criteria was used to evaluate a player’s placement: career regular season & playoff resume with an emphasis on most recent NLL runs, reputation & reviews from pro-playing peers, expectations & potential for this upcoming season, and lastly, positional impact & overall value they provide their team. Players that are sidelined for the season (Randy Staats, Austin Staats, etc.) were not included.

The inaugural TLN Top 100 NLL Players is below. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to comment (and criticize!).

Age: 28
Season: 2
Position: Defense
Team: Albany FireWolves
From: Dorchester, MA

The league is just too good for a team to spend a full-time roster spot on a FOGO. It has been for many years. Luckily for the Albany FireWolves, their secret weapon from a season ago, Joe Nardella, turned out to be so much more than just a face-off-only fixture. Nardella finished third in FO% (.578) behind, not shockingly, only Jake Withers & Trevor Baptiste, providing the Black Wolves with a much stronger possession game than the team had in previous seasons. During their final year competing at the casino, the Black Wolves often dictated the pace, tempo, and flow of the game, and a lot of that was due to Nardella’s dominance at the dot. He’s scrappy, smart, and although still evolving indoors, an incredibly well-rounded difference maker that should be even better in 2022.

Age: 23
Season: Rookie
Position: Forward
Team: Rochester Knighthawks
From: Burlington, ON

Look, Jeff Teat will be as exceptional as you’d expect Jeff Teat to be this winter, there’s just no way around it, but do not sleep on Ryan Smith’s rookie run in Rochester. Over the last handful of years, Smith has done nothing but score at stupid-silly rates in school (Robert Morris), junior (Burlington Chiefs) and senior (Oakville Rock), plus with the Knighthawks you’d have to think he’ll get plenty of opportunity to help the club improve on their third-from-the-bottom finish in team scoring (9.58 goals/game). Jeff Teat will hog the headlines, sure, but Ryan Smith will regularly sneak into the conversation.

There are a ton of other rookie forwards, seemingly a lot more than usual, that not only landed active roster spots this year, they’ll contribute to varying degrees too (listed alphabetically, relax): Charlie Bertrand (Rochester), Tanner Buck (Georgia), Adam Charalambides (Vancouver), Jalen Chaster (Colorado), Tanner Cook (Calgary), Patrick Dodds (Panther City), Aaron Forster (Toronto), Nathan Grenon (Panther City), Charlie Kitchen (Albany), Tre Leclaire (San Diego), Tehoka Nanticoke (Buffalo), Mac O’Keefe (San Diego), Marshall Powless (Saskatchewan), Justin Scott (Toronto), Larson Sundown (New York), Tanner Thomson (Albany), Ethan Walker (Georgia) and Kyle Waters (Calgary).

Age: 28
Season: 6
Position: Forward
Team: Calgary Roughnecks
From: Calgary, AB

On pace to post career best offensive numbers across the board, you’ll likely see Dan Taylor experience that same statistical spike for a second straight season in Calgary. With Dane Dobbie suspended, plus Tyler Pace & Jesse King sidelined for stretches, Taylor had the ball in his stick more than ever, had three more looks per game versus the previous season, and was forced to be significantly more engaged inside Calgary’s attack. While their offense looks to create a new identity with Dobbie departed for San Diego, Taylor can (and likely will) become an even more critical piece to Calgary’s typically feared forward cast.

Age: 27
Season: 3
Position: Defense
Team: Vancouver Warriors
From: Armstrong, BC

Even though five D-first players munched up more minutes than Owen Barker did during Vancouver's shortened season, the Warriors’ undrafted freebie find from a few years ago led the team in caused turnovers (17) and will unquestionably play a much bigger role with the black and gold this upcoming winter. Barker also plays with some serious bite (84 PIM in two seasons, second behind only the Rush-bound Matt Beers) and a lunch-bucket mentality that the front office wants to see more of from the rest of their rejigged roster. Vancouver lost a lot of vet defenders over the offseason, but Barker is a big reason why coaches are still confident in this developing D crew.

Age: 30
Season: 8
Position: Forward
Team: Colorado Mammoth
From: New Westminster, BC

The Mammoth move made it Tyler Digby’s fifth stop in just seven seasons, but for a proven player that has really only had one less-than-stellar year (Calgary 2017/18), you’d have to think him suitcasing is more about being in demand rather than wearing out his welcome. A power forward with impressive offensive pop, Digby was again headed to a potential 30-goal campaign pre pandemic and looked pretty comfortable in Colorado playing alongside the likes of Ryan Lee, Eli McLaughlin, and Chris Wardle. There are not many players in any season with the same size (6’3”, 277 lbs.) and skill (has averaged 27 goals/season over his career) as Tyler Digby.

Age: 25
Season: 3
Position: Defense
Team: Philadelphia Wings
From: Pointe Claire, QC

Being from Montreal and playing most of his Junior ‘A’ ball in Barrie, Charbonneau doesn’t get the hype he would if he hailed from one of Canada’s hottest hotbeds, but his never-ending work ethic, heart, and hustle make him one of Philadelphia’s more relied on defensive players. Charbonneau’s 13 goals over just two seasons (and only 37 shots) is pretty impressive and one of many reasons why Philadelphia’s offensive press is so potentially potent. With some big defensive additions during the offseason, don’t be surprised if Charbonneau is flooring it & finishing at an even higher rate in 2022.

Age: 26
Season: 4
Position: Forward
Team: Colorado Mammoth
From: Williamsville, NY

The consensus around the league is Zed Williams has yet to come close to hitting his ceiling, and in his defense, the Georgia Swarm’s star-studded offense isn’t an easy one to wiggle your way into (his 1.5 goals/game ranked him an unflattering fifth on the team). In Colorado, he finds himself in another somewhat crowded forward cast, but unlike Georgia, his high-end creativity, ability to rip through traffic, and eagerness to do more should see him playing bigger & more important minutes in The Mile High City. Time on the Mammoth’s power-play, something Williams has seen little of over his three years in the league so far, should help is stats soar too.

Age: 26
Season: 3
Position: Forward
Team: Buffalo Bandits
From: East Amherst, NY

Although the sample size is still pretty small (14 games over two partial seasons), Connor Fields has most definitely proved he’s capable of being an impact ball player in the NLL. It will be interesting, however, to see where Fields fits into Buffalo’s very role-centric offense. He whipped the third-most shots in San Diego in 2020 (TOF slowed after Casey Jackson came back), but with the Seals lefty group getting even more crowed (Jackson, Dane Dobbie, Zack Greer, rookie Mac O’Keefe, and a since-injured Austin Staats) it’s unlikely he would have been nearly as involved in San Diego’s attack. In Buffalo he’ll be behind lefts Josh Byrne & Chris Cloutier, ultimately replacing Corey Small.

Age: 29
Season: 10
Position: Goalie
Team: San Diego Seals
From: Coquitlam, BC

2019 was arguably Scigliano’s best year in the bigs. 2020 not so much. San Diego Head Coach & General Manager, Pat Merrill, recently said that the Seals’ starter, “… needs to come out like he did in Year 1.” While his stats were fairly similar between his two years with the Seals, the team’s record was not. With an emergence of new netminders during the NLL’s shortened season and many shaving their GAA down considerably, Scigliano’s league-wide stock slipped. On paper, San Diego will most certainly challenge for the #1 spot in the West, but like Merrill implied, they’ll need Scigliano at the top of his game to do so. Adding Bob Watson to their staff should help not only the Seals’ starter, but also their promising pro prospects Skylar “Moose” Whinery (23) & Christopher Origlieri (18), the youngest backup-pracky pair in the league.

Age: 27
Season: 5
Position: Defense
Team: Panther City Lacrosse Club
From: Port Perry, ON

From a depth defender in the Saskatchewan Rush’s highly regarded D-dominating lineup to a key defensive piece of Fort Worth’s back-end build, Matt Hossack could very well be a Top 15 defender in the NLL this upcoming season. The first overall expansion selection will help lead a very promising PCLC defensive unit (most definitely the team’s strongest asset in Year 1), which also means Hossack will be logging heavy minutes defending against the league’s most lethal offensive weapons. Averaging just 16:13 TOF for the Rush last season, he ranked 13th on the team in minutes played. In 2022, you’d have to think Hossack will see a hefty hike in his TOF based on where he sits in the expansion team’s defensive depth charts. It would be far from shocking to see him contribute a bit more offensively via transition too (had 12 goals on just 39 shots over four seasons in Saskatoon).

Age: 25
Season: 3
Position: Transition
Team: Philadelphia Wings
From: Denville, NJ

Watching him carve up the competition as a rookie on draws was cool (and expected), but watching Trevor Baptiste evolve as a better overall box lacrosse player in Year 2 probably made Philadelphia Wings coaches even happier. Baptiste barrelling down the floor in transition, beelining straight for goal, sharply sniping (he did it six times in 2020, up from zero as a rookie), and his ensuing celly is the definition of pure joy. He registered way more quality defensive minutes, was clearly much more comfortable going full floor, and his commitment to the craft is evident in his very visible improvements. The 156 loose balls Baptiste led the league with in 2019/20 was the first time an American had ever achieved that (since 1992 at least, when the league first started recording the stat).

Age: 29
Season: 9
Position: Defense
Team: Toronto Rock
From: Belwood, ON

Somewhat similar to say a Geoff Snider or even Rory Smith, Billy Hostrawser’s extracurriculars early in his career have established his rep in the NLL for all the wrong reasons. 100% the Rock defender can still let his fists fly with the best of ‘em and is as tough as they come, but what many have failed to notice is that Hostrawser has developed into one of the team’s top defensive defenders too. He led the Rock in loose-ball scoops (91) and was second in caused turnovers (14), two stats that have spiked significantly since spending less time in the sin bin and more quality minutes on the turf.

Age: 35
Season: 6
Position: Forward
Team: Vancouver Warriors
From: New Westminster, BC

His 53 goals over just a season-and-a-half in Vancouver are the type of numbers many felt Jordan McBride was capable of after going 13th overall in the 2011 NLL Entry Draft. In comparison to his time in Colorado, McBride looks fitter, more focussed, and has found good chemistry in Vancouver’s lineup – one that obviously has a distinct New Westminster Salmonbellies flavour on the floor and off of it. His 22 finishes during the last NLL season sat him second on the team behind only an MVP-worthy Mitch Jones, easily ranking first in shooting percentage too (.212). As he continues to build confidence and composure, another 30-goal season this year looks like a lock.

Age: 32
Season: 9
Position: Defense
Team: Georgia Swarm
From: Cortland, NY

It’s been a bit since we’ve seen a full season from Joel White, one of the most athletically gifted NLL defenders over the last decade. If he was Canadian, he would have been a finalist for the NLL’s Transition Player of the Year in 2016, and a shoulda been all-pro teamer that winter too. The league’s top two-way award is one you’d have thought an American would have won by now (it’s a gig even in this era they usually excel in more than any other), but not only has that never happened, not a single American has ever been nominated either. With Jason Noble & Alex Crepinsek gone from Gwinnet, White’s leadership will be in demand on the defensive end more than ever before. If he plays all season, 150 LB and 30 CT is definitely doable (and most definitely needed from the youngest Swarm side we’ve seen in years).

Age: 25
Season: 4
Position: Forward
Team: Buffalo Bandits
From: Kitchener, ON

On the day Chris Cloutier was dealt to the Buffalo Bandits, Philadelphia Wings Head Coach & General Manager, Paul Day, said, “This was a very difficult decision, but as an organization moving forward, we thought it’s the best for not only the Philadelphia Wings, but for Chris.” He was right. Cloutier has developed into an incredibly important piece in Buffalo’s offense (the team ranked fourth in 2019/20 averaging 11.82 goals per outing) and was trending to 30-goal territory before the season ceased. His dogged determination to create space around the crease is key to his game, but so is Cloutier’s skillful stick, bulldog athleticism, and ability to finish from up top too.

Age: 32
Season: 9
Position: Defense
Team: Philadelphia Wings
From: Oakville, ON

Yes, if Brock Sorensen is fully fit and back to his best, it’s a massive add to Philadelphia’s defense. With Alex Crepinsek, though, there’s no wondering what he might bring to the Wings this winter. Few defenders in the league are as polished, proven, and reliable as Crepinsek, who left the Swarm a hefty hole to fill on their roster when he signed in Philly. Defensively, the Wings were already very good the last time they touched down on Wells Fargo turf (one of only five teams to allow fewer than 10 goals against/game in 2019/20). With the addition of a player like Crepinsek, their defense has the potential to go from very good to league-leading great.

Age: 27
Season: 3
Position: Transition
Team: Calgary Roughnecks
From: Hamilton, ON

Hands down, Shane Simpson is the fastest player in the NLL. He grew up watching Steve Toll, and now, he is today’s Toll. And like Toll, during his most recent campaign in Calgary, his flashes up the floor had purposes, impacted the final score, and were even SportsCenter worthy. Simpson doubled his offensive production and was given more minutes as the season progressed, seeing his TOF grow by a really significant five minutes/game over the team’s final four. Defensively his game continues to develop at the pro level, but it’s no secret that what makes Simpson so special, is that unmatched speed and offensive upside in transition.

Age: 27
Season: 6
Position: Transition
Team: Albany FireWolves
From: New Westminster, BC

Not sure Tony Malcom was talked about nearly enough for the season he put together for the now-FireWolves franchise when the team last played. Largely a depth forward in Buffalo & Vancouver, a positional switch in New England saw the speedy Malcom’s stock really skyrocket. Statistically, at least, he was one of the most productive two-way players in 2019/20, both offensively (7 goals, 6 assists) and defensively (95 LB, 9 CT). He played exceptionally well inside the Black Wolves’ highly regarded defensive unit (ranked 1st in the NLL while allowing just 9.18 goals/game), has the wheels to jumpstart the team’s press no matter who’s on the floor, and has the offensive skills necessary to be a threat the second he steps over centre. Seems like stuff worth talking about.

Age: 24
Season: 2
Position: Transition
Team: Rochester Knighthawks
From: Port Coquitlam, BC

Not that this is really all that hot a take, but Ryland Rees will be a Transition Player of the Year in the NLL soon enough. As the second-year Knighthawks continue to evolve (and that evolution might speed up a bit this year after some strong off-season signings) so will Rees’ rep in the league. He is athletic, bright, a super-skilled transitional threat, and was easily the most impressive defense-first rookie during the 2019/20 season. He led all Knighthawk runners in TOF (21:15), which speaks to his maturity, dependability, and reliability in Rochester. A defensive core that includes Dan Coates, Paul Dawson, Matt Gilray, Matt Bennett, and Rees give the Knighthawks a formidable five for any team to have to fight through.

Age: 40
Season: 17
Position: Defense
Team: Halifax Thunderbirds
From: Markham, ON

Quietly, over soon to be 17 NLL seasons, Scott Campbell has remained one of the most in-demand defensive defensemen in the league. Sure, he’ll pitch in on offense occasionally too, but it’s the hard-hitting minutes he logs in his team’s own end that have kept him relevant, respected, and reliable. His game has always been about grinding, not glamour, which is why he’s not been celebrated nearly enough for what he’s done in pro lacrosse. Shortly after being dealt to the Saskatchewan Rush back in 2019, Campbell stated, “You want to be able to look across the room, look the other guys in the eye, and know that you’re doing everything you can to help this team be successful.” It’s why the Thunderbirds (formerly Knighthawks) brought him back. It’s why he’s still here 17 seasons later. It’s why he’s in the TLM Top 100.

Age: 34
Season: 9
Position: Forward
Team: Buffalo Bandits
From: Nepean, ON

Buffalo GM Steve Dietrich’s shrewd off-season signing of Kyle Buchanan kind of flew under the radar. Coming off the pandemic pause and then a cancelled season didn’t help, but neither did his lowest goal-scoring output since his rookie year nearly a decade ago (12 goals in 12 games with San Diego in 2019/20). The Bandits didn’t sign Buchanan for the goals he’ll get them (although getting back to 20+ goal status seems likely), but rather the ones he’ll make happen. Between Byrne, Smith, Cloutier, and now Fields, this team has a guaranteed gun show up front. Buchanan will confidently compliment Buffalo’s big shooters, dig for loosies, distribute to the smartest spots, and should make the Bandits’ offense a completer and more cohesive unit. Plus, just ask any of his past teammates what type of presence he’ll bring to the locker room.

Age: 36
Season: 14
Position: Defense
Team: Rochester Knighthawks
From: Oakville, ON

He’s bad, he’s magic, and he’s as hot as a gun. He also likes to play with fire. Plus, he’s got a spine of steal and a roar of thunder. If ya know, ya know. But honestly, if you need a more detailed explanation as to why Paul Dawson, who has a dozen standout defensive seasons in the NLL, should be on this list; you’re bad, you’re tragic. Rochester’s captain is still a sonic boom in this league, and will no doubt help Rochester make a serious run (baby run) for a playoff spot.

Age: 31
Season: 10
Position: Transition
Team: Colorado Mammoth
From: Hamilton, ON

Speed, skill, size, and a scoring touch that can always flip the script, Joey Cupido has been an uber-important player for the Mammoth since his rookie season in 2013. He seems to get noticed more when he scores (won both his Transition Player of the Year Awards when he hit career-high 16-goal seasons) but he might even be more valuable to Colorado in their own end, especially now with Dan Coates done in Denver. He led the team in caused turnovers two seasons ago and was one behind team leader and 2020 Defensive Player of the Year Finalist, Robert Hope. The extras he provides the team when pressing are great, but Pat Coyle will need him at his defensive best this winter.

Age: 35
Season: 12
Position: Forward
Team: Halifax Thunderbirds
From: Dundas, ON

Stephan Leblanc was surprisingly on pace to register career statistical lows during New England’s pandemic-impacted season. His goals, assists, and even shots-per game were lower (in some cases by a lot) than we’ve ever seen from the former Rookie of the Year, who finished sixth on the Black Wolves roster in the goal-getting column. So why the do we even have him here? Well, because Leblanc is still a versatile power forward with loads of experience (Cup-winning even) that gives Halifax a bigger body (6’1”) up front (most of the team’s forwards are under 6’). In fact, Thunderbirds Owner & General Manager, Curt Styres, felt strongly that the addition of Leblanc, who sits at 800 career regular season points, will give Halifax the strongest left-side in the league. Cue the leaderboard-crashing comeback.

Age: 32
Season: 10
Position: Forward
Team: Georgia Swarm
From: Oakville, ON

As often is the case in the NLL, if a defender is contributing on the scoresheet, no matter what else they do or where they actually play, many consider them a great transition player. The two years Jordan MacIntosh was named the league’s top transitional talent were not surprisingly his two most productive point-producing seasons. He was good in other ways, 100%, but you get the point. Is the NLL’s Transition Player of the Year simply the best offensive D-first player or someone that impacts both sides of the floor no matter if points are netted or not? No one’s role has changed more often than MacIntosh’s, who has proved (even still today), to be one of the most versatile players in professional lacrosse. With all that said, MacIntosh will start the season playing up front, the Swarm listing him at forward leading into 2022. The Georgia staff knows, no matter where MacIntosh is placed, he’ll produce.

Age: 30
Season: 7
Position: Forward
Team: San Diego Seals
From: Orangeville, ON

After that 2019 season with the Mammoth, where Jeremy Noble statistically had such a drop off and was pushed further and further down the Denver depth charts, some had seemingly written him off. During San Diego’s expansion season, the team saw comeback-of-the-year-caliber performances from Dan Dawson & Garrett Billings, and while Noble’s first year in San Diego was not quite as colossal, his bounce back was still really impressive. Noble’s tireless work off ball and feeding ability (second on the team in assists with 34 over 12 games) were key to the club’s overall offensive production. Although San Diego’s attack had some significant off-season changes (mostly for the better), Noble should still be a constant for the team moving forward.

Age: 25
Season: 2
Position: Forward
Team: Albany FireWolves
From: Oakville, ON

Many around the league felt Andrew Kew’s shortened first NLL season was ROTY worthy, and it would’ve been an easy argument to have won. His offensive points per game were better than eventual winner Tyson Gibson, his shooting percentage significantly sharper too (.155 vs. .115). He also ended up playing a pretty pivotal role for the New England Black Wolves, who sat first in the NLL standings before the season abruptly ended. Kew has good size, is extremely fit, offensively gifted, has a never-ending gas tank, and will have oodles of opportunity this winter in Albany to easily double his COVID-campaign numbers with Callum Crawford now in New York.

Age: 26
Season: 4
Position: Forward
Team: Calgary Roughnecks
From: Coquitlam, BC

If the Calgary Roughnecks could get a full season from Tyler Pace at forward, it’s pretty much a lock he drops 30, probably closer to 40 based on how good he looked in the seven games he got into during 2020. The only returning Roughneck forward that averaged more TOF than Pace (20:47) was Curtis Dickson (24:21), and that trend will unquestionably continue this year. Sure, Dane Dobbie’s digits need replacing, but rewind a bit further back and half of the Roughnecks’ Top 10 regular season point producers during their eventual 2019 Cup-winning season are also no longer there. When he plays, Pace will produce – the ‘Necks need him to.

Age: 25
Season: 2
Position: Forward
Team: New York Riptide
From: Maple, ON

A couple spots earlier, we noted that Andrew Kew owned better per-game numbers than Tyson Gibson during their rookie runs. One thing Gibson didn’t have in Uniondale that Kew did in Uncasville: support. With the Riptide, although their scoring was a bit of a by-committee approach (Dan Lomas led the team with 21 goals), Gibson was largely their leading man during most of the year. He’ll actually be playing alongside the same MVP contender that Kew did with the Wolves, Callum Crawford, who assisted on 10 of Kew’s 15 goals in 2020. Add in Jeff Teat, who Gibson gunned 232 goals in Junior ‘A’ (mostly) alongside, and the deserved 2020 ROTY will surely have a sophomore surge, not slump.

Age: 27
Season: 3
Position: Transition
Team: Buffalo Bandits
From: Port Elgin, ON

Like Darris Kilgour did when he rebuilt the franchise in the mid 00s, the new Bandit blood GM Steve Dietrich has picked up in recent seasons have most definitely shared a very distinctive DNA. There is no mistaking that Ian MacKay is very much a Buffalo Bandits type player. His game is built on speed, smarts, sandpaper, and skill. He handles a majority of Buffalo’s draws, led the team in LBs last season (93 in 11 games), and was one of only three Bandits to clock a 20+ TOF. No matter which end of the rink his most meaningful minutes will be logged this upcoming season, MacKay will again be an impact ball player in booming Banditland. He’ll start the season on Buffalo’s PUP list while still dealing with a groin injury sustained in the PLL, but Dietrich is optimistic he’ll be cleared soon.

Age: 39
Season: 20
Position: Forward
Team: Toronto Rock
From: Oakville, ON

A few days into the 2021/22 NLL season, Dan Dawson will turn 40. Even at that age, he is still one of the most fit players in the NLL. The pandemic pause has allowed Dawson to get healthier, stronger, and better prepared for another run with the Rock. He was counted out by countless critics after being dealt from Rochester to Saskatchewan, but reinvented himself with the Seals and continues to roll with the Rock. When Dawson plays his tenth game in 2022, he’ll pass John Tavares for most games played in pro lacrosse (Tavares finished at 306, Dawson sits at 297). He’ll also likely pass Tavares for most-ever assists (Tavares 924, Dawson 910), John Grant for second in career points (Grant 1,446, Dawson 1,426), and Colin Doyle for the fourth spot in all-time goals (Doyle 527, Dawson 526).

Age: 23
Season: Rookie
Position: Defense
Team: Vancouver Warriors
From: Coquitlam, BC

“Opportunities like this don’t come around very often, where you can pick a player of this talent and he’s from your own backyard.” That’s what Vancouver General Manger, Dan Richardson, said soon after the team traded up (slightly) to draft Reid Bowering in 2020. Bowering is the type of BC-bred player the franchise missed out on for many, many, many years. Previous to Bowering, the Warriors (Stealth obviously before that) hadn’t selected in the first round since 2013 when they drafted Cody Bremner, who played just a single season in the league. You’d have to go way the hell back to the 2008 NLL Entry Draft to find a first rounder the team picked that actually played when they selected Paul Rabil (68 career games) and Rhys Duch (190 and counting) in the opening round (they also drafted Kevin Huntley in the first that year, who eventually played a solo season, not with them, but the Philadelphia Wings). Based on his physicality, fitness, skill, versatility, leadership, and a Cup-winning culture with the Junior ‘A’ Coquitlam Adanacs, Bowering will not only play in Vancouver, he’ll play a helluva lot. Bowering has a very good shot at leading all rookies in TOF, LB, CTO, and probably some other stuff too.

Age: 34
Season: 10
Position: Goalie
Team: Rochester Knighthawks
From: Orangeville, ON

It was a bit of a shocker to see Evan Kirk leave Saskatoon this past September, in addition to the Rush allowing him to slip away. He’s been one of the NLL’s steadiest stoppers over the past decade, and last year showed he’s still far from done (career best 9.26 GAA and .813 SV%). The Knighthawks, who had one of the more impressive off-season hauls through free agent finds and strong draft selections, not only get a sizeable upgrade in their starter spot, they give their goalie of the future, Rylan Hartley, a valuable vet to learn from. If Rochester hopes to land a very possible post-season spot, they picked a good goalie to get them there. There are only three active NLL goaltenders with more playoff minutes played than Kirk’s 620: Matt Vinc (1,805), Mike Poulin (1,236), and Aaron Bold (1,165). The others ahead of him are current or future NLL HOFers: Pat O’Toole, Dallas Eliuk, Bob Watson, Anthony Cosmo, and Steve Dietrich.

Age: 29
Season: 7
Position: Forward
Team: Colorado Mammoth
From: Victoria, BC

Forget what he was on pace to produce, Chris Wardle set a bunch of personal best numbers playing just 13 games in 2020, on track to destroy most of his single-season statistical standards. Plus, with the Colorado Mammoth offense looking more mature, cohesive (as long as newbie Zed Williams finds chemistry), and capable than they have in years, Wardle looks like he’ll have all a ton of opportunity to raise is rep even higher than he has in recent seasons. Still a strong off-ball difference maker, Wardle looked more involved, invested, and overall just more important to the Mammoth’s attack. 2022 is looking like it could be Wardle’s biggest in the bigs.

Age: 36
Season: 16
Position: Forward
Team: Saskatchewan Rush
From: Toronto, ON

It’ll be Jeff Shattler’s last year playing professional lacrosse this upcoming season. There’s little he hasn’t done, but there are a few career statistical milestone he’ll likely hit in 2022. He’s just nine goals shy of 350, 49 points outside of booking a spot in the 900 club, and maybe most impressively, 62 regular-season scoops would push him past Cam Woods into the Top 10 for the all-time LB count. Considering Shattler is still such an asset, all of those accolades are positively possible. Also definitely doable? A third and final NLL Cup clinch. And that’s where Shattler is maybe even more valuable to the Rush. He ranks in the NLL’s Playoff Top 10 in games played (31 puts him fourth all-time), assists (6 for seventh all-time) and points (105 for tenth all-time). A team Shattler has suited up for has only missed the post-season once (excluding 2020 of course) over his fabulous 15-year career. The Rush will easily make this year’s playoffs, but can they win a Cup to send Shattler off in style?

Age: 27
Season: 3
Position: Forward
Team: Philadelphia Wings
From: Glenside, PA

Matt Rambo has adapted considerably quicker to the indoor game than most Americans have over the past decade. Pulling that progress off on the offensive side is even more impressive. “He reminded me of an indoor player the way he played outdoors,” said Philadelphia Wings Head Coach & General Manager, Paul Day, after the team snagged Rambo in the team’s expansion draft. It’s a thought most clubs clearly didn’t share considering Rambo was selected deep in the 2017 Draft (5th round, 46th overall) and passed over multiple times by, well, everyone. His commitment to the indoor game is clear, and also why he’s rapidly climbed the league-wide depth charts in a relatively short amount of time. In Year 2, Rambo ripped more often (4 shots more vs. rookie season), saw bigger minutes on the power-play, and sank his first sock-trick too (14-11W vs. New England).

Age: 27
Season: 5
Position: Forward
Team: Saskatchewan Rush
From: Oshawa, ON

Ryan Keenan was cruising to his career best single-season stat tallies in Saskatoon during the NLL’s shortened 2020. He would have likely been a 30-goal getter for the first time in his career. His end-of-year .205 SH% was the highest he’d ever closed a campaign with. Plus, he was hustling his way to smashing his best-ever loosie numbers (60 over 10 games, on pace for 42 better than any previous year-end total). Keenan started that last season off pretty slowly (only 5 goals over his first 5 games) but turned it on in the second half, averaging nearly a hat-trick per game during the final four weeks. His 4-goal finale against Vancouver also showcased the type of dangerous scoring threat he’s matured into at the pro level. Ryan ripped from range, in traffic, playing the two-man (which he does better than most, Rush Head Coach, Jeff McComb describing him as “one of the best pick-setters in the league”), and with a crisp in-close release. Even though the Rush have a loaded lefty group, you’d have to think 30 this winter is guaranteed.

Age: 28
Season: 5
Position: Transition
Team: Georgia Swarm
From: Oakville, ON

Bryan Cole’s offensive digits are never dominating enough to get him mentioned in the Transition Player of the Year talk, but honestly, he shouldn’t need them to garner that type of chatter. Over his four years with the Swarm, Cole has been a versatile, impactful, do-anything player that has excelled wherever Head Coach Ed Comeau has utilized him. With the youngest defensive lineup the Swarm have sported in forever, Jordan MacIntosh expected to play up front far more often, and Jason Noble & Alex Crepinsek no longer around; Cole will be relied on for a lot this winter. He’ll also has an ‘A’ stitched into his sweater this season, another acknowledgment of how important he is to this Georgia group.

Age: 29
Season: 5
Position: Forward
Team: Vancouver Warriors
From: Coquitlam, BC

Second chances have been a very visible theme in Vancouver since General Manager Dan Richardson took over, with a number of seemingly forgotten locals re-emerging under his management. The best of such stories might be Keegan Bal, who either struggled or was scratched during his first two relatively quiet campaigns in the NLL. That is most definitely no longer the case when it comes to Bal, who while playing for Head Coach Chris Gill, has become an effective scorer, even better set-up source, excels from outside and in traffic, and is about as useful and important a player as there is on the Warriors’ ever-improving roster. Richardson once said, “…when I took this job, one of the first free agents I reached out to was Keegan.” Shopping local is slowly but surely paying off in Vancouver.

Age: 26
Season: 4
Position: Forward
Team: Buffalo Bandits
From: Vancouver, BC

Prior to being drafted 13th overall in the 2017 NLL Draft by the Buffalo Bandits, Chase Fraser told NLL.com that he was a, “Hard-working player that will do whatever is needed to be done.” Sounds about right. Fraser has blossomed into a pro-level, off-ball banger that can score, set, secure dubs (5 GWGs over the past two seasons), and serve as one of the most significant spark plugs in the entire league. Buffalo was 6-2 with a healthy Fraser in their lineup in 2020, 1-2 when he wasn’t. The Bandits offense plays with more swagger, jump, and jam with Fraser going at full steam. He brings a ton of extras to the table, but Fraser is also a smooth scorer that can create complete chaos for the opposition. He’s a lot.

Age: 30
Season: 8
Position: Defense
Team: Toronto Rock
From: Orangeville, ON

He was the last player not named Hossack to win the league’s Defensive Player of the Year Award, and while the Rock gave up two firsts for him (ended up being Ethan Walker & Nathan Grenon), Jason Noble gives Toronto a proven pure defensive leader that should have immediate chemistry on Assistant Coach Bruce Codd’s side of centre. Noble gives the group a lefty defender on a back-end loaded with quality rights, which also means he’ll likely see more time on the floor than the under 15 minutes an outing he had in Georgia during that last season. Still just 30, Noble becomes the team’s eldest & most experienced defensemen, in addition to the only one with an NLL Cup to his credit too.

Age: 32
Season: 9
Position: Transition
Team: San Diego Seals
From: Whitby, ON

The 2020 season was Holding’s third consecutive NLL campaign (he didn’t play in 2018 due to injury) to lead his squad in loosies, the last two years accomplishing that alongside the league’s loose-ball king, Brodie Merrill. Holding has made a name for himself through hustle, heart, an unmatched work rate, and an offensive upside on the press. He’s one of the Seals’ most trusted leaders, who you’d imagine will swap his ‘A’ for a ‘C’ whenever Merrill decides to call it a career.

Age: 35
Season: 15
Position: Goalie
Team: Georgia Swarm
From: Kitchener, ON

While his back-stopping stats might not have been league leading in 2020, his rep amongst his peers is still sky high. Mike Poulin ranked fourth in voting in the NLLPA’s recent player poll, where they simply asked, “Who is the best goalie?”. Entering his 15th season in the league, to still be that regarded by those you battle and lineup alongside, speaks volumes of Poulin’s career rep, but also how relevant and respected he remains today. He’s likely to see a lot more rubber this winter too, playing in front of a young Swarm roster that many around the league feel will have challenges regaining their Cup-contending form. Poulin (8,885) will probably pass Dallas Eliuk (9,715) for fourth all-time in regular season minutes played and will inch closer to both Bob Watson (105) and Pat O’Toole (107) for most Ws by a goalie (94).

Age: 27
Season: 6
Position: Defense
Team: Halifax Thunderbirds
From: St. Catharines, ON

The Halifax Thunderbirds added a bunch of high-end and depth-bettering pieces over their double off-season, but none will likely impact their lineup more than Tyson Bell. The dynamic defender will no doubt do well in Halifax’s own end, but his timely runs, explosive first step, and elusiveness on the press is what will really help solidify the Thunderbirds as one of the top transitional teams in the league (adding versatile vet David Brock and intriguing rookie Ryan Terefenko won’t hurt in that department either). Defensively he’s physical, suffocating, and plays with an edge – similar stuff his uncle and now coach in Halifax, Billy Dee Smith, had. He seems to be in a pretty perfect environment to excel more than ever, so it would be safe to say Bell’s offensive & defensive digits will be a lot closer to what we saw from him in Calgary during his statement sophomore season.

Age: 32
Season: 11
Position: Defense
Team: Saskatchewan Rush
From: Coquitlam, BC

Kind of crazy that Matt Beers has never been named the NLL’s Defensive Player of the Year. It’s even more insane that he’s never even been nominated. That may change now that he’s playing for the Saskatchewan Rush though. Since 2012, a Rush defender has either won or was nominated for the year-end defensive accolade eleven times: Kyle Rubisch winning four times, Ryan Dilks once, and Chris Corbeil & Rubisch nominated a combined six seasons. Being from British Columbia probably hurt him too. Since the NLL started selecting a DPOTY, 20 players have won it (there was a tie in 2004). 19 are originally from Ontario, one from Alberta, and not a single any further west of Edmonton (Taylor Wray). Beers is tough, punishing, aggressive, and was the defensive leader for the Warriors/Stealth franchise as early as the Everett years. The dudes due.

Age: 29
Season: 5
Position: Forward
Team: Calgary Roughnecks
From: Victoria, BC

It’s no secret, significant injuries have limited Jesse King to just six games over the last two seasons. The Calgary Roughnecks have been without one of their most valuable offensive pieces, and the league lacking a superstar that many felt four seasons in would be a regular Top 10-point producer. King has the size, skills, high-end offensive ability, and a laser-beam blast, all of which almost feels Gait-like at times (and not just because they’re big Victoria boys). Although he’s a completely different type of player, if you’re wondering how Calgary will replace Dane Dobbie’s dominance on the scoresheet, King could & should be that guy in 2022.

Age: 32
Season: 9
Position: Forward
Team: Albany FireWolves
From: Hamburg, NY

For those wondering where all the goal scoring is going to come from now that Callum Crawford is no longer with the FireWolves franchise, look no further than Joe Resetarits. It’s only been a few short seasons since Resetarits hit 100 with the Rochester Knighthawks, and simply giving him the green light to shoot a helluva lot more in Albany, should see his stats get a super-charged spark, again. Even if the team takes a by-committee approach to replacing the 40+ goals lost in Crawford and Stephan Leblanc, you would have to think a proven, experienced, and capable vet like Resetarits will be leaned on for his leadership at the very least.

Age: 29
Season: 4
Position: Goalie
Team: Halifax Thunderbirds
From: Six Nations, ON

After the season Warren Hill had in Halifax, most would be thinking raise rather than replacement, but from the outside looking in, that wasn’t the case. Many GMs and coaches around the league are still somewhat perplexed by the Thunderbirds play to pry Doug Jamieson away from Albany via free agency after Hill was such a standout starter the season before. While Hill may not be household name enough yet, he soon will be. He was a big reason why the franchise went from 6-12 to being one of the top teams in the NLL prior to the pandemic, giving the Thunderbirds some exceptional play in some of their biggest games. Hill will need a full season similar if not better than what we saw from him last to prove he should be mentioned amongst the league’s absolute best backstops.

Age: 30
Season: 8
Position: Forward
Team: Vancouver Warriors
From: Delta, BC

Since the franchise fled from the LEC for Rogers, Logan Schuss has just not looked like the dominating offensive force he was previous to the new regime running things. His 2020 season was especially slim on stats, Schuss netting just 26 points in ten games. Vancouver General Manager Dan Richardson’s recent comments echo what those stats might imply. “Logan Schuss can be a big piece to our offense,” said Richardson. “We need Logan to become that force that we saw earlier in his career and we believe that he has the motivation to once again succeed at an elite NLL level.” Not a whole lot of reading between the lines needed there. But look, Logan Schuss is too talented, pro proven, and high end to have slipped for more than really just a single shortened NLL season.

Age: 35
Season: 11
Position: Forward
Team: San Diego Seals
From: Whitby, ON

It’s still early, but you’ve got to think San Diego is pretty satisfied with their players-for-picks swap with Colorado: Seals got Zack Greer & Jeremy Noble for a second-round pick in the 2019 NLL Entry Draft (Brett Craig) and a conditional third in the 2020 draft (Curtis Conley, who was recently released by the Mammoth and signed by the FireWolves). Greer of course retired (then unretired) and Noble’s production had dwindled in Denver, but the trade scales have definitely swayed significantly in San Diego’s favour. Greer led the Seals in scoring posting goals, assists, and points-per game totals that would have put him near his career statistical best had 2020 gone 18 games. Greer’s leadership playing alongside San Diego’s highly regarded rookies Tre Leclaire and Mac O’Keefe will be a huge plus for both prospects’ early pro development.

Age: 29
Season: 6
Position: Defense
Team: Toronto Rock
From: Oshawa, ON

The addition of Mitch de Snoo to a Toronto Rock defensive end (also get back a healthy Latrell Harris and traded for Jason Noble) that was already allowing under ten goals against per outing, could be seriously scary for the rest of the league. de Snoo is a hard-hitting, extremely aggressive, super-athletic defender that regularly registers high-end LB & CTO totals while also pitching in on the press. His 22:29 TOF ranked him third on the Bandits but would have had him first in Toronto, and even with the Rock’s impressive depth on D, expect to still see de Snoo on the floor a lot.

Age: 34
Season: 11
Position: Forward
Team: Philadelphia Wings
From: St. Catharines, ON

The Philadelphia Wings ranked a not-so-hot ninth out of 13 teams in the NLL when it came to per-game-goal production. That won’t happen again in 2022. Ben McIntosh is a big reason why, but so is Corey Small. Yes, his offensive numbers last year were more on pace with what he produced in Edmonton and not Vancouver (or his strong first year in Buffalo), but Small is too good and seasoned a vet not to excel in Philly’s formidable offensive offering. Small still has a deadly outside release, can be equally effective inside, and will have high-end Philly finishers to dish to.

Age: 29
Season: 8
Position: Transition
Team: Buffalo Bandits
From: Port Hope, ON

Playing alongside Steve Priolo in Buffalo has its perks. It also means most of the league-wide spotlight shines on one of the best defenders to ever play in the NLL, and rightfully so. But, let’s not forget about Nick Weiss. Weiss has been an impact player with the Bandits soon after being shipped by the Stealth. Last year, not a single Buffalo runner registered more minutes than Weiss (26:01 TOF), not even Priolo (25:14). In fact, only All-Pros Graeme Hossack and Kiel Matisz topped Weiss’ end-of-year TOF. His season totals usually read TPOTY worthy, providing a spark to the team on both sides of the floor, while still serving as Buffalo’s face-off understudy.

Age: 28
Season: 7
Position: Forward
Team: Colorado Mammoth
From: Surrey, BC

His lower-than-normal shooting percentage (first five seasons he averaged .176, last season .107) saw his goal rate drop a bit, but with 29, 29, and 35 previous to an incomplete 2020, you better believe Eli McLaughlin is a legit weapon heading into a promising campaign for the Colorado Mammoth. He plays a physical brand of ball, but is skilled, clever, and crafty enough to be as effective up top as he is in tight. An elusive shooter that has also led the Mammoth in helpers the past two seasons, McLaughlin should still be seen as the leader on a Colorado cast that has beefed up their offense with some nice recent additions. His 12 career GWGs are bettered by only a handful of active NLLers, which is kind of mind-blowing considering McLaughlin has only played half a dozen seasons in the league.

Age: 30
Season: 8
Position: Goalie
Team: Philadelphia Wings
From: Courtice, ON

Not only was Zach Higgins a legitimate contender for 2020’s Goalie of the Year Award, he was arguably the Philadelphia Wings’ MVP too. He had played full-time starter minutes once in his career (Minnesota 2015) and then promptly relegated to backup backstop status ever since. Higgins was maybe the most consistent starter anywhere in the league in 2020, looking more motivated, mature, and prepared than any previous NLL stop. His rebound control was exceptional, allowing teammates to press immediately instead of battling for another loosie. His contagious confidence took the Wings from a four-win expansion side to an 8-6 Cup contender, who’ll be even better this upcoming season. For those thinking fluke, you’d be wrong.

Age: 36
Season: 13
Position: Defense
Team: Albany FireWolves
From: Auburn, NY

In 2016, just 13 Americans played in the NLL, the lowest state-side player total in the league’s lengthy, and at one time, American-heavy history. Greg Downing is just one of five from that group that appear will still be active in the league this upcoming campaign (although many have joined since that all-time low level). Albany Head Coach & General Manager, Glenn Clark, recently said that, “Greg is one of the league’s best defenders…,” and honestly, that isn’t just a homer hot take. Downing has long been one of the top defensive defensemen in the NLL, and the only thing keeping his game from getting the league-wide praise it deserves, is his passport. Yes, he’s another athletic American, but Downing is as smart as he is strong & sturdy, and shouldn’t have to play a season in Peterborough to be praised in the pros for his performance.

Age: 23
Season: 5
Position: Defense
Team: Toronto Rock
From: St. Catharines, ON

No knock on any of their other off-season scores, but none are likely as big as getting a healthy Latrell Harris back on the Toronto Rock roster. The always humble Harris is not only healed up, he looks fitter, more determined, and hungrier than we’ve maybe ever seen him. Sounds like he had a pretty decent summer too – so if he did that there, scared to think what he’ll look like playing his bread & butter. He's built to bang bodies on the D side, his speed can kill in transition, and don’t be surprised to see him rack up the points more regularly than he has in recent Rock seasons (like this gross pre-season pop).

Age: 31
Season: 9
Position: Forward
Team: Philadelphia Wings
From: Oshawa, ON

When healthy, there is no better power forward in the NLL than Brett Hickey. Since he scorched league scoreboards for 50 goals in 2015, only four different players have done it since (Dhane Smith, Curtis Dickson, Shawn Evans, and Kevin Crowley). Only MVP Shayne Jackson (31) and most valuable runners up Callum Crawford (33) & Rob Hellyer (32) scored more goals than Hickey (29) in 2020, his 5 game-winning goals tops in the league, which doubled his career GWG total too. Clearly, he has power-forward size (6’2”, 225 lbs.), his hands are super skilled, stick is dialled (usually owns a .180+ SH%), has that distinctive bomb from downtown, but can touch you up in tight too.

Age: 27
Season: 4
Position: Forward
Team: Colorado Mammoth
From: Newmarket, ON

Over his previous two campaigns in Colorado, Ryan Lee has quietly crept into all-star level status in the NLL. Between the Mammoth’s upgrades on offense and Lee’s continued in-game growth, 2022 could and most certainly should be a big one for the team’s top point producer from a season ago. He has performances that are about as creative & crafty as you can get, like Lee’s third-quarter hatty against Rochester (watch it). From being a third rounder that was far from guaranteed to make the Mammoth, to now co-leading an emerging Colorado offense that looks ready to make some serious noise, the evolution of Ryan Lee has been fun to watch.

Age: 36
Season: 15
Position: Forward
Team: Panther City Lacrosse Club
From: Kitchener, ON

He’s played in seemingly every possible scenario in the NLL, but this seventh stop (Toronto, Edmonton, Minnesota, Buffalo, Colorado, Rochester/Halifax, and now Forth Worth) will be the first time Ryan Benesch will lead a team as inexperienced as the expansion Panther City Lacrosse Club. Some were surprised to see Benesch taken in the LC Expansion Draft this past summer, but now that he’s clearly committed to the club, the value Benesch brings to the team is as big as the state he now finds himself in. PCLC actually looks like they’ll have decent defensive depth. It’ll be on the other side of the floor they’ll likely struggle. Benesch has scored 451 regular season goals over his 14 years in the NLL. The rest of the team’s training camp forwards? Like 50 combined. He might not have the support he’s used to, but Benesch will certainly have the ball in his stick more than ever as he continues to creep closer to a couple all-timer totals (9 goals gets him by Mark Steenhuis for sixth overall about 100 points away from passing Shawn Williams and Gary Gait).

Age: 33
Season: 12
Position: Goalie
Team: Toronto Rock
From: Orangeville, ON

Nick Rose’s netminding numbers during his last season were his best since becoming a starter with the Toronto Rock in 2013 (9.13 GAA, .816 SV%). There is just a single still-present-Rock player that was on the team when Rose was first traded to Toronto in 2012 (Rob Hellyer), and just four that even still play in the league (Garrett Billings, Stephan Leblanc, Damon Edwards, and of course Hellyer). Rose’s longevity speaks volumes of how trusted he is tending Toronto’s crease. Team Owner & GM, Jamie Dawick, recently used words like leader, important, and backbone when describing his star starter heading into a very important year for the Rock, who now call Hamilton home. Beyond his backstopping skills, Rose also has a reputation around the league for being a tremendous teammate that has helped create a family dynamic at the TRAC amongst the Rock players but also all of the organization’s lacrosse programming.

Age: 27
Season: 5
Position: Defense
Team: Saskatchewan Rush
From: Surrey, BC

Although Kyle Rusbisch regularly (and deservedly) gets lauded for leading the charge, the importance of every single Rush defender in that stifling defensive system plays an extremely pivotal role. Mike Messenger could certainly be the #1 defensemen on most teams in this league. He’s hulking (6’2”, 225 lbs), hard-hitting, and a helluva player to have up your ass for four full quarters. Messenger is also a treat in transition due to his athleticism, offensive touch, and just the unleashable power he possesses when pressing. His LB/CTO ratio is always one of the most impressive in the league. With Jeremy Thompson picked up by Panther City, Messenger will likely be even more of a fixture facing off too.

Age: 40
Season: 16
Position: Transition
Team: San Diego Seals
From: Montreal, QC

San Diego Seals President, Steve Govett, summed up Brodie Merrill pretty perfectly in a career retrospective of the team’s captain, describing him as a player with, “grace, poise, and tenacity – he ticks a lot of superlative boxes.” In that same feature, Seals Assistant Coach, Bill Greer, calls him, “the kind of player that just has it all.” At 40 years old and entering his 16th season in the NLL, Brodie Merrill is still all of those things and more. He was and still is as complete and dynamic a defender as there ever has been in this league, no matter the era. He’s got one last career checkbox to strike, and an impressive San Diego Seals lineup looks capable of helping Merrill potentially land that first NLL Cup.

Age: 34
Season: 9
Position: Defense
Team: Rochester Knighthawks
From: St. Catharines, ON

The Rochester Knighthawks ranked last in goals allowed per game, giving up nearly 14 against during their expansion run (4.57 more than the league-leading New England Black Wolves). That likely won’t happen again. GM Dan Carey bolstered Rochester’s own end with the signing of Evan Kirk in goal, the not talked about nearly enough addition of Matt Gilray, and maybe most impressive of all, the luring of Dan Coates. The long-time Colorado captain and seemingly always Top 10 defensive defensemen in this league, Coates provides the Knighthawks with experience, leadership, composure, class, and a chance to be post-season party crashers in Year 2.

Age: 33
Season: 12
Position: Transition
Team: Saskatchewan Rush
From: Oakville, ON

A finalist for the league’s Defensive Player of the Year for three seasons straight a handful of years ago (2014-2016), the Saskatchewan Rush captain is still one of today’s top rated defensive leaders. “Chris will lead the Rush into the post-pandemic season just like he always has, with dedication, passion and intensity – everything our great fans in Saskatchewan deserve,” said team GM, Derek Keenan, after the club reinked the unrestricted Corbeil in the offseason. “He’s an all-time great D-man in the NLL and is a benchmark player in terms of his fitness level.” Corbeil has missed just a single start since the 2013 NLL season. Also, he not surprisingly led all Rush defenders in TOF (20:25) in 2020.

Age: 31
Season: 4
Position: Forward
Team: San Diego Seals
From: Victoria, BC

Only five players in the entire NLL averaged 2.5+ goals per game: former NLL MVP Dane Dobbie (4.25), coulda been MVP Callum Crawford (3.00), MVP finalist Rob Hellyer (2.91), current MVP Shayne Jackson (2.58), and… Casey Jackson (2.71). Had he not been sidelined to start and had his (and everyone’s) season not ended early, Jackson’s top-end goals-per-game rate would have had him nearing 50 goal territory in 2020. Sure, he only slipped into seven games, but he looked pretty legit a season earlier in San Diego too (tied for sixth in league goal scoring). An always promising prospect with the Junior ‘A’ Victoria Shamrocks (especially his standout 2010 summer), it took a bit longer to get to the big leagues than expected, but now that he’s here, Casey Jackson is making the most of his second chance.

Age: 35
Season: 16
Position: Forward
Team: Rochester Knighthawks
From: Peterborough, ON

Many around the league talk as if Shawn Evans is on his last legs. While his smash mouth yet highly skilled style of play mighta shaved a year or two off his career, Evans is still only a few seasons removed from a 94-point campaign, owned a point-per-game average that woulda had him at 86 in 2020, and should be in relatively good shape after this lengthy lacrosse layoff. He’ll also have rookie Ryan Smith to feed and potential instant chemistry with Thomas Hoggarth (Evans assisted on 18 or Hoggarth’s 29 goals with Buffalo in 2019, including setting up all three of his hat-tricks that season), plus the dangerous duo of Holden Cattoni (ranked 31st here) and Curtis Knight (just missed the TLM 100) to continue working alongside.

Age: 33
Season: 11
Position: Defense
Team: New York Riptide
From: Oakville, ON

The Calgary Roughnecks missed Dan MacRae a bunch. The New York Riptide woulda been O-fer without him. MacRae provided the expansion Riptide with more than just that incredible OT winner in 2020 though. A smart player, defensive leader, loose-ball magnet, short-handed stopper, and turnover-causing difference maker, MacRae was all that and more in an expansion enviro not nearly as easy to excel in as Cup-winning Calgary. The performance landed him a much-deserved NLL All-Pro spot for the first time in his career. With Andrew Suitor (led Riptide in TOF, LB, CTO and PIM) retired, MacRae’s on-floor and locker-room leadership will be even more critical (although Damon Edwards will help) as New York looks to compete in a despicably deep East Division.

Age: 30
Season: 7
Position: Defense
Team: Colorado Mammoth
From: Peterborough, ON

While his caused turnover digits have dropped off steadily over the last two seasons (was averaging 28 CTOs a year over his first four, 13 during his last full winter, and then just 10 in 2020) Hope is still one of the steadiest defenders in the league and absolutely critical to any success Colorado hopes to have this upcoming campaign. Denver will be down a decent defender too with Dan Coates dealt to Georgia (and now in Rochester). But Hope and the Mammoth have been there before. The popular Peterborough product had arguably his best season in the box big leagues when Coates & Cam Holding both went down with ACL injuries before the 2018 season. He set career best LB (151) and CTO (31) totals that winter, plus punched time in on transition even more than usual, resulting in a 13-point campaign. Can he do it again?

Age: 27
Season: 5
Position: Forward
Team: Rochester Knighthawks
From: Calgary, AB

He was an extremely efficient goal scorer in both Calgary (36 in 2018) and Georgia (27 in 2019), but always behind names like Dickson, Dobbie, Thompson, and Staats on the depth charts. In Rochester, Holden Cattoni is their up-front leader, the 16-point gap between him and their second leading scorer only bettered by MVP candidates Callum Crawford in New England and Mitch Jones in Vancouver. Like another Albertan flame thrower, Kaleb Toth, the Calgary-born Cattoni is considered to have today’s fastest shot & heaviest heat, and it probably isn’t all that close (NLL Skills Competition Weekend?!?!). As he continues to develop into a top-flight forward and the Knighthawks evolve from their expansion roots, Holden Cattoni will be an offensive leaderboard regular for many years to come.

Age: 30
Season: 8
Position: Forward
Team: Saskatchewan Rush
From: Coquitlam, BC

Prior to the last few seasons, Robert Church had been an NLL leaderboard lock, but his production over the past 1.5 campaigns has slowed considerably. After his All-Rookie recognition in 2014, Church ripped off four straight 30+ goal years, including an absurd 47-goal, 107-point season in 2018. That goal tally ranked him second overall in the NLL. His 17 goals and even 1.7 goals per game in 2020 put Church 32nd overall in the league. With all that said, Church has remained a solid seal & pick presence for the Rush, his loose-ball digits are always above average, his turn-over totals very low for a player that has the ball as much as he does, and usually he’s a power-play point producer. Robert Church is just too good, skilled, and proven not to bounce back this winter.

Age: 29
Season: 5
Position: Forward
Team: Toronto Rock
From: East Meadow, NY

The Toronto Rock obviously have a much stronger offensive unit with Tom Schreiber in the lineup. Unfortunately for both player & team, Schreiber has only had two full seasons out of his four to date due to season-ending injuries sidling the state-side superstar. When healthy, Schreiber has proved to be a 30-goal, 90-point lock, and a legitimate MVP candidate too. Like many Rock players last season, Schreiber struggled to score on the power-play (0G, 2A over 5GP in 2020). The addition of Assistant Coach, Rusty Kruger, and Associate Coach, Colin Doyle, should help give Schreiber and the rest of the Rock shooters some different and more dynamic extra-man opportunities. All signs are pointing to this season being a big one for the healed & healthy Schreiber.

Age: 27
Season: 4
Position: Defense
Team: Halifax Thunderbirds
From: Peterborough, ON

There has not been a face-off force as versatile as Jake Withers since Geoff Snider. Of course, the two dot dominators are completely different is so many other ways, but the value they’ve provided their clubs made Snider & makes Withers stupendously special, unquestionably unique, and extraordinary talents that have been a rare commodity in the modern NLL. Unlike field lacrosse, a face-off specialist in box needs to offer so much more to secure their spot. Withers does. His defensive ability is above average (some nights waaay above), he can be a persistent pain in the ass, and also contributes in transition when the opportunity to press & pass (or shoot) is there. During 2020’s shortened season alone, between his FOWs, LBs, and CTOs, Withers got the Halifax Thunderbirds the ball a total of 397 times over just 12 games.

Age: 29
Season: 8
Position: Defense
Team: Toronto Rock
From: Acton, ON

It’s kinda criminal how little recognition & respect Brad Kri has received over his previous three absolutely outstanding seasons as he’s blossomed into one of the NLL’s best defensive defensemen. He ranked second in caused turnovers in 2020 (25) and no player anywhere in the NLL has created more CTOs over the past three years than Kri (88): Kyle Rubisch (86), Josh Currier (82), and Graeme Hossack (77) were next best. The fact Kri didn’t find immediate success in the NLL shouldn’t sour his rep, it’s a story that should be celebrated now that he’s developed into a league-leading defensive standout.

Age: 28
Season: 5
Position: Forward
Team: San Diego Seals
From: Coquitlam, BC

After going from a second righty option behind Curtis Dickson in Calgary to the first in San Diego, Wes Berg’s goals, assists, and points per game average, well, stayed about the same (or shrank), but most anticipate that’ll change in 2022. With former Roughnecks’ teammate Dane Dobbie now in sunny San Diego, Berg will have help (a lot of it) running & distributing offensively, giving him more freedom to shoot and ultimately score at a higher rate. His goals per game last season had him on pace for a sub-30 campaign, in comparison to Calgary with Dobbie where he was closer to 40 the last time they teamed up. And sure, Dobbie will help Berg (and pretty much every other Seals player he plays with) be even better, but Berg will also continue trending upwards because at Year 5, he’ll be more mature, experienced, and further elevate his already strong overall offensive game.

Age: 32
Season: 12
Position: Defense
From: St. Catharines, ON

He’s been a Top 5 defender in virtually every season he’s played, and you could probably make an argument Steve Priolo is Top 5 all-time too. During a bunch of those same seasons, Priolo’s offensive-press production should have had him in Transition Player of the Year conversations too. It seemingly never did. He’s big, mean, mobile, relentless in his approach, plus punishing in his execution. He is a defensive leader in every way possible, and possibly the Bandits most valuable anything over the past decade.

Age: 30
Season: 7
Position: Forward
Team: Philadelphia Wings
From: Coquitlam, BC

A partial season and an overall offensive dip by the Saskatchewan Rush, whose 11.1 goals per game average (albeit only over ten games) was their lowest single-season standard since 2012 in Edmonton (10.44), saw a lot of their forwards with diving digits. That includes Ben McIntosh. But with all that said, don’t read too much into those 2020 facts & figures. McIntosh has been one of the league’s most productive power forwards since his rookie season in 2015. Erase that difficult to decisively dissect 2020 campaign, and McIntosh has averaged 38 goals per season since he started, 41 & 46 in his two most recent. Now in Philadelphia, the addition of McIntosh gives the Wings arguably their most gifted goal getter on the roster, one who typically has great possession figures in comparison to the league’s other top scorers. Philly gave up a lot to get him (Josh Currier and two firsts) but he’ll give them even more back.

Age: 31
Season: 10
Position: Defense
Team: Saskatchewan Rush
From: Hamilton, ON

With fewer games played than most at the top of the caused-turnover category, Ryan Dilks still managed to lead the league there (26), obviously averaged more CTOs per game than anyone else (2.60), and was also tops in the NLL in TO-CTO too (21). The former Defensive Player of the Year (2016) also always puts up above average loose-ball scoops, routinely disrupts and breaks down offensive opportunities, and makes smart decisions in transition (nearing 100 career regular season points). Of the 49 players selected ahead of Dilks in the 2010 NLL Entry Draft (Toronto drafted him in the fifth round) only ten remain in the league, one of which is his Rush teammate, Kyle Rubisch.

Age: 27
Season: 4
Position: Forward
Team: Buffalo Bandits
From: New Westminster, BC

2020 was shaping up to be a statement season for Buffalo’s Josh Byrne. He was one of just a dozen players to average more than 2.0 goals per game during that shortened season, and was on pace to spike his single season best point total by nearly 20. Byrne has power forward size (6’3”, 207 lbs.) but his footwork inside is far from lumbering. He’s sleek, shifty, and can bait you into opening up space better than maybe anyone in the bigs. He is quickly maturing into a total-package forward in the NLL. Know the Bandits were bummed he didn’t land on either All-Pro Team, but seriously, don’t sweat it. Josh Byrne has legit MVP potential coming super soon. The NLL’s last British Columbia-born MVP was Athan Iannucci (who like Byrne, was drafted out of Hofstra) way back in 2008. Before that? Only goats Gary (95-99, 03) & Paul (02) Gait.

Age: 25
Season: 5
Position: Goalie
Team: Albany FireWolves
From: Six Nations, ON

During the 2020 season, Dough Jamieson led a growing group of young stoppers around the league to next-level status. Teams have played goalies well past their primes in the NLL, often unable or unwilling to pass the torch to the next generation of goalies. It’s a pretty pivotal position. Understood, but… in just his second season as New England’s starter, Jamieson went from pretty good to pretty damn great. So great in fact, he was voted last season’s Goalie of the Year while co-leading the New England Black Wolves to the best regular season record (8-3, ,727 W%). Jamieson led the league in GAA (8.77) and SV% (.826). He held the opposition to single-digit scoring in six of his eleven starts, not surprisingly, all Wolves wins. While Albany will have a slightly different vibe up front, their back-end - starting with a further fit & focussed Jamieson - will be their strongest asset this upcoming season.

Age: 33
Season: 10
Position: Forward
Team: Philadelphia Wings
From: New Westminster, BC

While many wonder what happened to the 51-goal Kevin Crowely from 2018 in New England, the Philadelphia Wings are more than happy to have the 51-assist Kevin Crowley (over just 14 games) in 2020. Crowely has proved to be a quiet chameleon in this league, adapting to whatever offensive requirements are needed of him. Sure, his .101 SH% from a season ago was his worst ever, but he’s also made the Phillly offense significantly more cohesive, composed, and threatening since his arrival. With new Wings like Ben McIntosh & Corey Small added to an already formidable forward cast, don’t be surprised to see Crowley’s helper count continue to climb (and Philadelphia’s Ws go up as a result too).

Age: 24
Season: 6
Position: Goalie
Team: Calgary Roughnecks
From: Coquitlam, BC

In 2019, Christian Del Bianco proved to be the most money, big-game backstop in the sport. While eventual Cup MVP Dane Dobbie’s post-season play deserved definite recognition, many felt it was Del Bianco’s brilliant & breathtaking backstopping that landed the Roughnecks that unexpected Cup clinch. Over the previous 15 NLL seasons, the league has only named a tendy the Cup’s top player twice: Aaron Bold (2016 with Saskatchewan) and Bob Watson (2011 with Toronto). Del Bianco is way above average athletically, is amazingly agile, always active, forces forwards to second guess constantly, and his outlets always seem to have offensive intent (an unbelievable 35 assists over the last 2.5-ish seasons). While he didn’t lead in many statistical categories during Calgary’s somewhat disappointing 2020 season, one critical column he did own quite considerably was saves made per game. Del Bianco’s nearly 46 stops per game were as many as ten more than other legit starters around the league.

Age: 32
Season: 9
Position: Transition
Team: Philadelphia Wings
From: Stoney Creek, ON

He is without a doubt one of the most versatile veterans in the NLL over the last several seasons, and one of the Philadelphia Wings’ most valued difference makers too. He led all league runners in TOF (27:44) in 2020, and unless his role changes this upcoming campaign, should be right up there again. Matisz has been a Transition Player of the Year runner-up to Challen Rogers the last two seasons, but honestly, has been one of the top two-way forces at other times during his career too. The Philadelphia captain has matured into one of the most respected leaders in the league, his input before, during, and after games at times as valuable as the communication coming from coaches. Matisz is composed, calculated, crushing defensively, and creative when he hangs around up front.

Age: 33
Season: 11
Position: Forward
Team: Calgary Roughnecks
From: Port Coquitlam, BC

Curtis Dickson’s 2020 offensive per game outputs during the ten he got into were the lowest they’ve been in a bit. Having to adjust with the unexpected absence of Dane Dobbie in-season versus off- or pre-season also didn’t help matters, in addition to other key losses that made 2020 a somewhat turbulent one. Even though the Roughnecks are still defending champs, the team has hit reset in many ways (again, see the Dobbie departure), and that should benefit Dickson, who will undoubtably bounce back in a big way in 2022. In fact, with the way things have played out in Calgary, Dickson’s next chapter could be his most memorable yet. At his best, there are few that come close to matching Dickson’s creativity, clutch touch, command of his power forward position, and overpowering on-floor presence.

Age: 39
Season: 16
Position: Goalie
Team: Buffalo Bandits
From: St. Catharines, ON

During an abnormally low year when it came to goals against and stopper stats in general during the 2020 NLL season, Matt Vinc was not amongst the league leaders in the typically two tendy totals that get mentioned most: GAA (10.81, 9th overall) and SV% (.807, 7th overall). When the NLLPA recently polled players and asked them, “Who is the best goalie?”, their response was overwhelmingly one sided. NLLers declared Vinc the best by a pretty meaningful margin (26% of the vote). On reputation and past accomplishments alone, you could easily argue Buffalo’s backstop as #1 in this 100. He has equalled or even surpassed the status of NLL HOFers Dallas Eliuk & Bob Watson, and the conversation ends there when you’re talking Top 3 all-timers. And don’t read too deeply into those incomplete 2020 totals. As Vinc has shown over his career, he’s often at his finest when it matters most, and with no post-season push or playoffs in 2020, we likely missed his save-the-best-for-last stuff.

Age: 31
Season: 9
Position: Forward
Team: Saskatchewan Rush
From: Oshawa, ON

His 2020-point tally was on pace to again be around the 100 mark (would have been his sixth time in six seasons) but what caught most off guard was Mark Matthews’ goal count (just 13 goals in 10 games, an average that would have seen him with by far his lowest total of his brilliant career) and his shooting percentage (.112, which was a devastating drop from really any of his eight years in the NLL). With Ben McIntosh traded to Philadelphia, it means there are a lot more shots to be had and goals to be got, and although other Rush forwards will contribute, Saskatchewan might see their most success with Matthews firing more often. Not since the Rush were in Edmonton has Matthews led the league in shots taken (some years since he’s been way off the league lead). The year he did (2015), he netted a career-high 53 goals, was equally electric in the playoffs (11 goals in 4 games), and led the franchise to their first of three Cups. Just saying.

Age: 29
Season: 9
Position: Forward
Team: Buffalo Bandits
From: Kitchener, ON

Prior to 2020, Dhane Smith was about as close to offensively unstoppable as one could get. With four 100-point campaigns over five seasons (would have been five for five if he played a full winter), including that stupendous, historical, record-setting 72-goal total in 2016 (no one’s come even marginally close to matching since), Smith could not be slowed let alone stopped. He missed time in 2020, and then of course the season got cut short, but get this… his points per game average over the eight he played (6.13) was only topped by MVP contender & 2020 scoring champ, Callum Crawford (6.91). Over a full season, yet again, Smith would have topped 100. The Bandits’ offense appears to be one of the more cleverly constructed heading into the 2022 season, with players playing very precise positions & dialled-in duties. Make no mistake, Smith’s requirements will be to get in those sweet spots, shoot the lights out, and make Banditland go berserk.

Age: 34
Season: 11
Position: Forward
Team: Halifax Thunderbirds
From: Six Nations, ON

His leadership is unmatched. His will to win is turned up as high as humanely possible. His voice both in the locker room and beyond any barn forces players to be better and everyday individuals to be more informed, compassionate, and inclusive. After over a decade in the NLL, Cody Jamieson is still one of the most supremely talented players currently competing, but also one of the most influential. His shooting percentage during that first year in Halifax (.211) was the highest of his HOF-worthy career and had him on pace to potentially score 40 for the first time. His stats are always strong, he comes up bigger than big when he’s needed the most, he does all the little things just right too, but it’s the intangibles, the emotional, and the spiritual that separates Cody Jamieson from most everyone else.

Age: 29
Season: 10
Position: Forward
Team: Toronto Rock
From: Lion’s Head, ON

Averaging nearly a hat-trick an outing during the league’s COVID-closure campaign, Rob Hellyer would have hit 50+ goals for the first time in his NLL career. Over the Toronto Rock franchise’s 23 years in the league, they’ve had just one 50-goal producer, and that was Brett Hickey in 2015 (and only four players anywhere have hit 50 in a single season since). He (212) passed Aaron Wilson (190) in the Rock’s all-time franchise goal-scoring tally in 2020, and with a typical-Hellyer-type season this year, he should skip by Josh Sanderson (217), Kasey Beirnes (245), and Stephan Leblanc (249) for third behind just Colin Doyle (440) and Blaine Manning (307). If you aren’t already including Hellyer in Rock all-time talk, you should. Not even 30 yet, Hellyer has lots of meaningful lacrosse left to go. The Rock look ready to take a serious run at the title in 2022, and unlike his rookie year when Toronto last claimed the Cup (2011), Hellyer will be far from a secondary-scoring option.

Age: 24
Season: Rookie
Position: Forward
Team: New York Riptide
From: Brampton, ON

Top 10 or better and we’d be getting beaked for having him too high. Too far outside of 10 and the chirps for too low would be littering our inbox. Jeff Teat at #11 feels safe, but Jeff Teat at #1 after his rookie season really shouldn’t shock you. Not since maybe Brodie Merrill has a first-year player in the NLL been a pre-season talking point for ROTY and an MVP maybe. In 2006, Merrill won the top rookie prize, was voted the Defensive Player of the Year, and if the NLL had established their Transition Player of the Year a season earlier, Merrill would have bagged that. Many had him down at most valuable too. With all that said, Teat finds himself in a different first-year environment than Merrill did. Brodie balled for the surprisingly decent expansion Portland Lumberjax (11-5 and finished first in the West). Teat is on a New York Riptide team that went a forgettable 1-12 during their freshmen season and have had a significant roster redo since (a seemingly positive one, but still). Six of Portland’s 16 regular season games were against two teams that were dead last (Edmonton) and next to last (San Jose), while New York will look for Ws in a stupidly stacked East Division. But maybe none of that matters. Teat is talented beyond belief. He is as smart as he is skilled, as athletic as he is accurate, and his feeding is as flawless as his finishing. Maybe give him a shift or two before you decide his first-year fate though.

Age: 31
Season: 9
Position: Forward
Team: Georgia Swarm
From: Bowmanville, ON

While Shayne Jackson was most definitely deserving of MVP recognition in 2020, voting him most valuable was also largely a league-wide nod for acknowledging he'd been missed for similar year-end accolades in the past. The Swarm’s all-time leading goal scorer (246), assist disher (351), point producer (597), and all of the above in the playoffs too (17, 30, 47), Jackson has only once landed on an All-Pro Team (2nd team in 2017) prior to his MVP mention. As gifted a scorer as Jackson is, his willingness to get dirty and bulldog his way to loosies, space, and scoring spots are often overlooked in comparison to his always consistent final stats. With plenty of opportunity on Georgia’s offense to produce even more (half of the Swarm’s Top 8-point getters from 2020 are either swapped or sidelined) and next gen goal scorers to mentor (most notably Ethan Walker and Tanner Buck), 2022 might be Jackson’s most significant Swarm season so far.

Age: 30
Season: 8
Position: Goalie
Team: Colorado Mammoth
From: Orangeville, ON

If the Colorado Mammoth did actually ever #tradeward, one thing is for certain, they’ll end up getting a bundle back for their unbelievable backstop. Over the years, no matter how hindered or hurting the team was, Dillon Ward has kept the Mammoth relevant, competitive, and reasonably consistent. Since his first season, Ward has been the Mammoth’s starting shot stopper, a role rarely given to a rookie netminder (Gee Nash played more than half of the minutes in New York in 2000, Matt King was thrust into Calgary flames in 2002, and no one else comes to mind). Ward has propelled the Mammoth to the playoffs in every season he’s played. As well as he operates in his crease, Ward’s reputation as one of the most thoroughly prepared, mentally tough, and laser-focussed goalies in the game sets him apart from most others. Keep using that hashtag for the hilarity it sparks on social, but seriously, it won’t be happening any time soon.

Age: 27
Season: 4
Position: Transition
Team: Calgary Roughnecks
From: Peterborough, ON

As complete and versatile a player that exists today, Zach Currier has high-level, any-scenario skill, a gas tank that never hits empty, and may be the best possession player in pro lacrosse. Outside of the usual draw-takers, Currier had the best LB-per-game numbers for the third straight season in 2020. If Currier continues collecting at his current pace and Brodie Merrill retires soon, it’s conceivable that he could top Merrill’s seemingly untouchable LB total. A now three-time runner up for the league’s Transition Player of the Year, Currier has to be more than just a consideration and will eventually crowned. Looking at the award’s history, it’s hard to know what voters are looking for. Often offensive defenders with good O stats get it, but so have those with loose-ball heavy seasons and lighter point production. Whatever they’re looking for, Calgary’s Currier clearly has it, because he does just about everything.

Age: 29
Season: 9
Position: Forward
Team: Vancouver Warriors
From: Delta, BC

Mitch Jones graduated to super-star status during the most recent NLL season. He’d almost bettered his statistical best and still had about a third of the season to set new standards. Jones finished fifth in goals (28), third in assists (46), and second in points (74). While some were feeling MVP vibes for him, Jones shockingly didn’t even get mention on any All-Pro selections. His peers took notice though, voting Jones MVP runner-up in USBOXLA’s year-end poll specific to the 2019/20 season. He has power-forward size, leading-scorer smarts, is slippery in traffic, and is just as problematic for the opposition from outside. The only forward with a better TOF (25:12) than Jones was Callum Crawford, and that was by only a minute six-second margin. The Warriors rely on Jones immensely, maybe more than any other forward on any other team in the league (63% of Vancouver’s goals came either directly or dished via Jones’ stick). If award voters needed a breakout season from Jones to justify end-of-year praise, 2020 was it. His required recognition starts… now.

Age: 33
Season: 11
Position: Defense
Team: Saskatchewan Rush
From: Brampton, ON

A decade in and Kyle Rubisch is still one of the league’s most defensively dominant players past or present (and surely future). He leashes lefties, the best ones around, with ridiculous regularity. His shut-down skills are as smash-mouth as they are surgical. His size alone (6’2”, 230 lbs.) makes him a helluva lot to handle, but his elevated lacrosse IQ makes outthinking Rubisch an equally intimidating assignment. So how do you beat him? Most don’t. And while many point to earlier seasons in his career (NLL DPOTY from 2012-2015) Rubisch’s most impressive might actually be his most recent. With key Saskatchewan Rush defenders MIA in 2019, Rubisch clearly had more minutes, defensive demands, and pressure to produce. He did all of that are more. Last year he was just as impactful for the Rush, and with Saskatchewan a clear Cup frontrunner in 2022, you better believe Rubisch will be one of the league’s best, again.

Age: 37
Season: 16
Position: Forward
Team: New York Riptide
From: Ottawa, ON

Many felt Callum Crawford’s 2020 was worthy of MVP honours. The voters did not. A suspension a season earlier likely robbed Crawford of the same accolade. Now in New York, will he have another similar season playing in a significantly different set-up with the Riptide? Can he possibly be even better? A realigned Riptide need Crawford’s scoring touch, feeding expertise, experience, and leadership to avoid an expansion-like repeat in the standings. The Crawford signing also takes some pressure off reigning Rookie of the Year, Tyson Gibson, and the next ROTY, Jeff Teat (not that pressure has prevented Teat from producing in the past, but still). Crawford is offensively creative in every way possible, rips on the most absurd of angles, and his movement while carrying is so unscripted, so unpredictable, and so unprecedented.

Age: 27
Season: 5
Position: Transition
Team: Toronto Rock
From: Coquitlam, BC

Typically, a top transitional threat in this league excels at one end of the floor and is average or a bit above at the other. Challen Rogers has proved to be an exception to that positional expectation. The Toronto Rock captain plays mean-mugging minutes in the team’s own end but has shown over recent seasons he is supremely skilled enough to contribute quality shifts up front too. Plus, his athleticism, speed, and power on the press allows Rogers to prosper in any position possible at the pro level. Over the league’s lengthy break, Rogers has become bigger, fitter, and even more physically imposing, which will benefit him on both sides of the floor. Another Transition Player of the Year Award and Rogers will match Brodie Merrill for the two-way trophy count (3), plus would be the first to win it over three consecutive campaigns (Merrill & Jordan MacIntosh are the only two to go back-to-back).

Age: 34
Season: 14
Position: Forward
Team: San Diego Seals
From: Elora, ON

We only got Dane Dobbie for four games in 2020, but my lord what a four games those were. The 17 goals he netted were better than 257 players that year, most of which were featured in far more than Dobbie’s four outings. Now it’s highly unlikely it would have held up, but Dobbie was averaging 4.25 goals per game, and that was largely due to his sensational sock-trick against Georgia and the seven he scorched San Diego for just a week later. We’re also just two seasons removed from Dobbie’s point-scoring crown (115 points), MVP Award (his first but possibly not his last), Calgary Cup clinch (his second and likely last with them), and post-season most valuable vote. “Dane is one of the best offensive players of his generation,” said Seals General Manager & Head Coach, Pat Merrill, after San Diego shockingly swayed the free agent this past summer. Dobbie signing with the Seals could easily be argued as the biggest free agent addition in NLL history.

Age: 29
Season: 6
Position: Forward
Team: Georgia Swarm
From: Onondaga, NY

His creativity starts well before he shoots. Lyle Thompson is the best baiter in the sport. One of the best ever actually. Whether with a subtle flip of his stick, his super-smooth stutter step, or his ability to cause defensive-zone chaos with his mere presence, Lyle Thompson will force the opposition to do things their brain tells them they shouldn’t but their instincts can’t resist. He can rip on the run, take it in tight to torch tendies, but at the same time, cleverly create space for his teammates to tuck one in nice & tidy. His loose-ball totals are almost always significantly stronger than most around him on the offensive leaderboard, while his turn-over tally is traditionally super tiny in comparison to other 200+ shot takers. He is a selfless superstar that knows when to fire on target or fly one to a Swarm shooter. Lyle Thompson is the most creative, clever, crafty, and complete offensive player in the league today. Thompson once said his father would tell him to “pick a player and watch him, learn from him”. Every kid that plays this sport, whether for fun or to further their future, should be watching Lyle Thompson.

Age: 29
Season: 6
Position: Defense
Team: Halifax Thunderbirds
From: Port Perry, ON

There have been players in the NLL’s past that have been as big as the Herculean Graeme Hossack (6’2”, 230 lbs). There’ve been ones that can dominate defensively like he does, and some that have seen similar scoring stats like Hossack has totalled through his thunderous transitional sprints. There have certainly been players that have done those things, and done them well, in this league. There has never been one, however, to do them all at the hellaciously high level that Graeme Hossack has over the past five NLL seasons. His brick-shit-house build makes it impossible to own any turf near him in Halifax’s own end. That same size, athleticism, hustle, heart, and heft make him a nightmare to impede while he’s barreling up the floor like a rhinoceros on rocks. His LB and CTO totals are always top of the charts good, while his TOF last season (27:31) was the second highest in the league. Just twice since the NLL started naming a league MVP has a player similar to Hossack been handed that hardware. Jim Veltman was the first, winning most valuable in 2004, and Jeff Shattler, who split his minutes equally at either end in 2011, was the only other. Hossack clearly has to be the next.