A year ago, the "Fantastic Four" of Colin Doyle, John Grant, John Tavares, and Dan Dawson won the four open spots on the National Lacrosse League's First-Team All-Pro squad, and became the unofficial finalists for Most Valuable Player.

In 2006, Doyle and Grant remain, but Tavares and Dawson have moved down to the Second Team.

And, for the first time in recent memory, both of the automatic selections -- Defensive Player of the Year Brodie Merrill (Portland) and Goaltender of the Year Steve Dietrich (Buffalo) -- are legitimate contenders to be named Most Valuable Player tomorrow.

Doyle, who fell just shy of 100 points this season in Toronto, and Rochester's Grant, who led the league with 54 goals, are joined on the First Team by Colorado's Gavin Prout and Toronto's Josh Sanderson.

Dawson (Arizona) and Tavares (Buffalo) were joined on the Second Team by forwards Craig Conn (Arizona) and Lewis Ratcliff (Calgary), defenseman Jay Jalbert (Colorado) and goaltender Nick Patterson (Minnesota).

The All-Pro teams are selected by a vote among the governors, general managers, and head coaches of the eleven NLL clubs.

In alphabetical order, sketches on the All-Pro Team members:

Craig Conn finished second in the NLL in goals, with 44... ranked second on Sting with 67 points... first All-Pro selection.

Dan Dawson led the Sting in assists (48) and points (82), and was second in goals (34)... second All-Pro selection, first on Second Team.

Steve Dietrich led all goaltenders in wins (10), goals-against average (9.97) and save percentage (80.8)... also named Goaltender of the Year... fourth All-Pro selection, second on First Team.

Colin Doyle finished third in NLL in goals (43) and points (96), and tied for fourth in assists (53)... led the Rock in goals and was second in assists and points... Sixth consecutive All-Pro selection, seventh overall, and third on First Team.

John Grant tallied 54 goals, the fourth-highest total in league history, to lead all NLLers, and was second in points (97)... sixth All-Pro selection, fourth on First Team.

Jay Jalbert ranked fourth among all NLLers with 152 loose ball recoveries... recorded 19 goals and 29 assists this season... first All-Pro selection.

Brodie Merrill scooped 214 loose balls this season, which would have set a league record if not for Jim Veltman's total of 226... previously named the Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year... first All-Pro selection.

Nick Patterson placed third in save percentage (79.0) and fourth in goals-against average (10.40)... posted 6-2 record in helping Swarm to first-ever playoff berth... first All-Pro selection.

Gavin Prout dished out 64 assists this season, second in the league, and his 93 points were good for fourth overall.... led the Mammoth in both assists and points.... third All-Pro selection, first on First Team.

Lewis Ratcliff placed third among NLLers with 54 assists... led the Roughnecks in goals (37), assists, and points (91)... first All-Pro selection.

Josh Sanderson fell just short of his own single-season assists record, finishing with a league-leading 69 helpers... led the league with 98 points... fifth consecutive All-Pro selection, sixth overall, and second time on First Team.

John Tavares led the Bandits with 53 assists and 85 points... surpassed Gary Gait this season as NLL's alltime points leader... fourteenth consecutive All-Pro selection, and only the second time he has failed to make the First Team.