After looking to the future with Monday’s draft, the National Lacrosse League (NLL) took one final look back at the 2016 season on Tuesday evening.
The NLL handed out its annual awards in Toronto and to no one’s surprise, the Saskatchewan Rush took home a healthy share of the hardware.
Seven members of the Rush were up for consideration this year and three of them wound up winners.
READ MORE: Saskatchewan Rush select Ryan Keenan 1st overall at 2016 NLL draft
Ryan Dilks claimed defensive player of the year honours, marking the fifth straight year a Rush player has won the award.
Kyle Rubisch had a grip on it for the last four seasons.
Dilks was also named to the All-Pro first team along with Rush forward Mark Matthews.
Sophomore forward Ben McIntosh earned the league’s sportsmanship award to go with the rookie of the year prize he captured in 2015.
And team president Lee Genier was named executive of the year.
He was instrumental in the successful relocation of the Rush from Edmonton to Saskatoon.
Jeremy Thompson and Chris Corbeil were named to the All-Pro second team.
READ MORE: Saskatchewan Rush release 2017 season schedule
Other winners included Buffalo Bandits forward Dhane Smith as the league’s most valuable player.
He set a new single-season scoring record with 137 points including 72 goals.
Georgia’s Randy Stotts was named takes top rookie.
Brad Self of the Rochester Knighthawks was named transition player of the year.
Goaltender of the year went to New England’s Evan Kirk.
And Black Wolves bench boss Glenn Clark was named coach of the year.
Ryan Flaherty contributed to this story
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