NLL: Preseason ALL-NLL 1st and 2nd Teams
On December 5, 2005, the American Chronicle with the input from different experts, collected votes for the AmericanChronicle NLL Preseason Poll and Preseason Year Awards. Each person who voted sent in 6 (F), 4 (D), and 2 (G), listing their picks for who was 1st Team and 2nd Team. The votes were then tallied and the players receiving the most votes at each position were named 1st Team and the 2nd most vote receivers were named to the 2nd Team. Now, it is time for the release of the AmericanChronicle Preseason All-NLL 1st and 2nd Teams.
1st Team
F: Blaine Manning (Rock)
F: John Tavares (Bandits)
F: John Grant (Knighthawks)
D: Pat Coyle (Mammoth)
D: Steve Toll (Knighthawks)
G: Anthony Cosmo (Stealth)
2nd Team
F: Tracey Kelusky (Roughnecks)
F: Colin Doyle (Rock)
F: Dan Dawson (Sting)
D: The “NEXT BIG THING” Brodie Merrill (Lumberjax)
D: Matt Dwane (Lumberjax)
G: Gee Nash (Mammoth)
Anthony Cosmo (Stealth)
“I feel this is an honor, as well as the being named the Preseason Goalie. I look forward to this year with the team and coaching staff, and to playing in Edmonton to start the season.”
The “NEXT BIG THING” Brodie Merrill (Lumberjax)
"This is a huge honor, to be named next to those guys but it is the preseason and I haven't done anything yet.” "Initially as in any sport you have an apprehension, about a new team, but I don’t see the JAX as an expansion team. Derek has a great core here from Anaheim and we have a great blend of young and old guys. I'm excited to be on a team that can compete from beginning and look at the playoffs.”
Dan Dawson (Sting)
“It’s nice to recognized as an Preseason All-NLL 2nd Team member, but my main focus to win a championship and that is done as a team.” “We have some high standards this season as a team after going to the Champions Cup, and we have great players in Rob Blasdell, Jason Crosbie, and Matt Brown.”
Gee Nash (Mammoth)
“Thanks for this honor, we have a great team going into this season.”
Kurt Silcott (GM Calgary Roughnecks on Tracey Kelusky)
“Tracey is on of the top players in the NLL. He is a tireless worker that is all about the team, he is the ultimate captain. Tracey is the rare kind of offensive player that can help you win a game without registering a point. I know that is hard to imagine but Tracey does so much more for our team than just score goals. He is constantly working for the other players on the floor and always leads by example.”
Now, you missed them or haven’t had a chance to see them, here are the Preseason Poll and Preseason Year Awards that we released on December 5th.
PRESEASON POLL
1. Calgary Roughnecks
2. Toronto Rock
3. Portland Lumberjax
4. Buffalo Bandits
5. Rochester Knighthawks
6. Colorado Mammoth (Drop because Gait is done playing)
7. Arizona Sting
8. Philadelphia Wings
9. Edmonton Rush
10. San Jose Stealth
11. Minnesota Swarm
PRESEASON YEAR AWARDS:
Goaltender: Anthony Cosmo (Stealth)
Forward: John Tavares (Bandits)
Defenseman: Pat Coyle (Mammoth)
Rookie of The Year: The “Next BIG Thing” Brodie Merrill (Lumberjax)
Head Coach: Derek Keenan (Lumberjax)
Team of The Year: Lumberjax