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News Update 13 May 2009

Dawson, Doyle, Powell headline All-Pro teams

MVP likely one of those three; Tavares named to 17th All-Pro Team

NLL Press Release


The National Lacrosse League announced Wednesday the 2009 First- and Second-Team All-Pro selections.

The First Team lineup consists of forwards Dan Dawson, Colin Doyle and Casey Powell; transition player Brodie Merrill, defenseman Billy Dee Smith and goaltender Ken Montour.

It is almost certain that the league's Most Valuable Player, to be named tomorrow, will be one of the forwards on the First Team.

The Second Team lineup consists of forwards Josh Sanderson and John Tavares; transition players Jordan Hall and Mark Steenhuis, defenseman Mac Allen and goaltender Anthony Cosmo.


FIRST-TEAM ALL-PROS

Dan Dawson, Boston Blazers (Forward): Dawson was instrumental in Boston's run to the postseason during the franchise's first year of play. Dawson finished tied for the league lead in assists during the regular season with 74, which also stands as a new single-season record. He added 30 goals as well (tied for 17th most) to give him the second-most points, 104, during the regular season.

Colin Doyle, San Jose Stealth (Forward): Doyle finished one assist behind Dawson and Calgary Roughnecks forward Josh Sanderson for the league lead, compiling 73 throughout the regular season to go along with 38 goals (tied for sixth most). His 111 points led the league and helped pace an explosive Stealth offense while threatening the league's single season record of 115 points.

Casey Powell, New York Titans (Forward): Despite missing three games, Powell scored 40 goals (tied for fourth most) and 45 assists (15th most) to give him the eighth-most points in the league, 85. The Titans were 1-2 in Powell's absence compared to 9-4 with him in the lineup. The 40 goals scored mark the highest total of his career.

Brodie Merrill, Portland LumberJax (Transition): Merrill, the league's Transition Player of the Year, set career-high's in assists (33) and loose balls collected (216); those totals were tied for 35th and second-most in the league, respectively. Merrill also scored 14 goals as he finished with 47 points for the LumberJax, who finished second in the West Division.

Billy Dee Smith, Buffalo Bandits (Defenseman): Smith also won the league's Defensive Player of the Year Award after serving as a key member of a Bandits defense that allowed 170 goals during the regular season, which stood as the third-lowest total in the league. Smith totaled 47 loose balls -- the second highest of his career -- during the regular season, as well as 33 penalty minutes. He also helped the offense with a career-best 12 points on five goals and seven assists.

Ken Montour, Buffalo Bandits (Goaltender): Montour won the league's Goaltender of the Year Award after enjoying the best statistical season of his career. Throughout the regular season, Montour posted league-leading numbers in goals against average (9.57 -- the only total under 10 in the league) and save percentage (81.3%). He finished in a tie for second-most wins amongst all goaltenders while compiling an 8-3 record and totaled the seventh-most saves in the league with 451.


SECOND-TEAM ALL-PROS

Josh Sanderson, Calgary Roughnecks (Forward): Finished third in scoring (103 points) and tied for first in assists with 74, setting a new league record shared with Dan Dawson for assists in a single season.

John Tavares, Buffalo Bandits (Forward): Tied Mark Steenhuis for league lead in goals scored (51). Finished fifth in points (94). Seventeenth career All-Pro selection, extending his own record.

Jordan Hall, New York Titans (Transition): Finished tenth in scoring with 81 points. Hall's 56 assists were the fifth-highest total in the league.

Mark Steenhuis, Buffalo Bandits (Transition): Tied teammate John Tavares for the league lead in goals scored (51). Finished fourth in points (101).

Mac Allen, Rochester Knighthawks (Defense): Acquired in a trade with Edmonton, Allen worked his way into the lineup and complemented an already established defense. Allen often drew the assignment of defending the opposing teams top forward, and excelled in that role. He also became the team's faceoffs leader, winning 55 percent of his draws.

Anthony Cosmo, Boston Blazers (Goaltender): Had the third lowest goals-against average among starting goaltenders (10.14). Posted the fourth-highest save percentage (.781) among starters.

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