One day after being selected to the National Lacrosse League's All-Pro First Team, Philadelphia Wings forward Athan Iannucci was named Thursday as the recipient of the league's Reebok Most Valuable Player Award.

Iannucci beat out finalists Casey Powell (New York) and John Tavares (Buffalo) for the award.

"Winning the MVP award is a great honor," Iannucci said. "I owe my success this season to all of my teammates and coaches who made me a better player out on the field."

In just his second professional season, Iannucci smashed Gary Gait's single-season record of 61 goals scored, netting 71 in sixteen games. Iannucci also dished out 29 assists, making him the only player in the league to reach 100 points in 2008.

Among his 71 goals, Iannucci scored seventeen times on the power play and five times while shorthanded -- he placed second in the league in both categories -- and his five game-winning goals were most among all NLLers.

Iannucci won an unprecedented three NLL Player of the Month awards this season, earning the honor in January, February and March. Only two players have ever won the award twice in one season (John Tavares in 1994 and 2005, and Paul Gait in 2002).

With Iannucci leading the offensive charge, Philadelphia improved by four wins this season, finishing 10-6 and reaching the playoffs for the first time in six years. This was also the Wings' first season with a winning record since the 2001 squad went 10-4 and won the NLL Champion's Cup.

Iannucci is the second Wings player to earn MVP honors, following three straight MVP awards by Gary Gait (1995 to 1997).