IL Indoor

The Stealth's Paul Rabil had an MVP season in the MLL.

Last season six players were named to the NLL’s All-Rookie Team: Americans Paul Rabil, Kevin Buchanan and Stephen Peyser, plus top picks Daryl Veltman, Ruch Duch and ‘tender Tyler Richards.

After the jump, find out what those ‘09 All-Rookie runners have been up to over the summer and vote on who you think will be the NLL’s best sophomore in 2010.

 Loading ...

To clarify, there is no official NLL Sophomore of the Year. Here’s how the ‘09 All-Rookie Team runners spent their summers:

Paul Rabil led the Major Lacrosse League (MLL) in scoring and was named the 2009 league MVP as a member of the Boston Cannons in just his second year of pro outdoor lacrosse. With a year of indoor now under his belt, the 6-foot-3, 220 pound transition player could be a major force in the NLL playing out of the Stealth’s new home of Washington.

Kevin Buchanan played in just six MLL games with Washington this year after initially being drafted No. 5 overall. With Kevin Ross impressing at the Mann Cup, plus the Swarm bringing in fellow lefties Zack Greer via the Entry Draft and sophomore Alex Turner via trade, Buchanan may be fighting for playing time. Can he surprise and impress again?

Stephen Peyser, who won the NLL’s fastest shot competition last season, finished Top 25 in ‘09 MLL scoring for the Long Island Lizards. If he is able to translate that offensive talent to the indoor game, Stephen could mature into one of the league’s best transition players, period. He has already proven he’s one of the league’s best in the face-off circle.

Daryl Veltman quietly enjoyed a great regular season in the Western Lacrosse Association (WLA), putting up 4.7 points per game for the Coquitlam Adanacs. The left-hander is able to score goals from outside and in. Like the No. 1 overall pick before him, Jordan Hall, Veltman also has great poise and many expect big things from him in 2010.

Rhys Duch lit the league on fire last NLL season with a record-breaking year that left him seventh overall in league scoring. His rookie WLA year this summer wasn’t too shabby either; Duch finished second in ’09 WLA scoring only to Lewis Ratcliff, as the two Victoria products each tallied 43 goals during the regular season.

Which ‘09 NLL All-Rookie runner will have the best 2010 NLL season? Vote above. If you have the name of a ‘Sleeper Sophomore’ who you believe will also make a major impact on the up-coming season, sound off on the NLL Forums.

Rate This Story:

(+4 rating, 10 votes)

 Loading ...