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Rookie of the Year Winner Taylor Wray and the Calgary Roughnecks will play in the Champion's Cup Final on May 7th.
Photo Credit: Kyle Clapham | |
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Taylor Wray of the Calgary Roughnecks was named the Rookie of the Year for the 2003-04 season, and Scott Evans (Rochester Knighthawks), Craig Conn (Vancouver Ravens), Ryan Ward (Philadelphia Wings), AJ Shannon (Buffalo Bandits), and Thomas Hajek (Philadelphia Wings) were elected to the All-Rookie Team, the National Lacrosse League announced earlier today. Wray received the highest number of votes for the award as voted on by the Head Coaches, Governors and General Managers of the league’s ten member clubs, followed by Evans, Conn, Ward, Shannon, and Hajek. The voting for all annual awards took place after the conclusion of the regular season and ended before the start of the Champion’s Cup Playoffs.
All-Rookie Team
1. Taylor Wray, Calgary Roughnecks
Taylor Wray of the Calgary Roughnecks was awarded 2003-04 Rookie of the Year honors and was the first player selected to the 2003-04 All-Rookie Team. The Roughnecks defenseman has already earned Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors as he split the award with Cam Woods of the San Jose Stealth, and now adds Rookie of the Year honors to his merit. During the season, the Edmonton native earned Rookie of the Week honors in Week #7 and Rookie of the Month honors in March. Wray collected 82 loose balls and scored 16 points (8G, 8A, 16pts), assisting a vastly improved Calgary defense. The Roughnecks finished the regular season with a 10-6 record and a berth in the Champion’s Cup Playoffs. The Roughnecks rookie defenseman continues to lead, totaling 14 loose balls and 6 points (4G, 2A, 6pts) in the 2004 playoffs, and heads Calgary’s defense in their quest to win their first Champion’s Cup.
2. Scott Evans, Rochester Knighthawks
Scott Evans was the second player elected to the 2003-04 All-Rookie Team for his performance on the Rochester Knighthawks offense. The Knighthawks forward was the third leading scorer for the team this season totaling 16 goals and adding 19 assists for 35 points. Evans also collected 71 loose balls and scored a game-winning goal this season. The Peterborough, Ontario native was also awarded Rookie of the Week Honors twice this season (Week # 10, Week #12). The Knighthawks finished the regular season at 8-8 and earned a first round home playoff game.
3. Craig Conn, Vancouver Ravens
Craig Conn of the Vancouver Ravens was the third player voted to the 2003-04 All-Rookie Team. Conn was a force on the Ravens offense this season earning Rookie of the Month honors two times this season as he won in January and February. The Ravens forward was also elected the Week # 4 Rookie of the Week this season. Conn was the fourth leading scorer for the Ravens this season totaling 19 goals and adding 20 assists for 39 points. The St. Catharines Ontario native also collected 60 loose balls this season. The Ravens finished the season at 5-11.
4. Ryan Ward, Philadelphia Wings
Ryan Ward of the Philadelphia Wings was the fourth player selected to the 2003-04 All-Rookie Team. Ward scored 18 goals and added 19 assists for 37 points including a game-winning goal this season with the Wings. The Victoria, British Columbia native also collected 45 loose balls this season. The Wings forward also earned Rookie of the Week honors in Weeks #8 and Week #13. The Wings finished the regular season at 7-9.
5. AJ Shannon, Buffalo Bandits
AJ Shannon of the Buffalo Bandits was the fifth player chosen for the 2003-04 All-Rookie Team. Shannon scored nine goals and added 15 assists for 24 points including a game-winning goal. The Whitby, Ontario native also collected 71 loose balls this season. The Bandits forward earned Rookie of the Week Honors for Week #1 and Week # 9. The Bandits finished the regular season at 8-8 and earned a playoff berth. Shannon continues to contribute to the Bandits offense scoring four goals and adding two assists for six points in the playoffs for the Bandits..
6. Thomas Hajek, Philadelphia Wings
Thomas Hajek of the Philadelphia Wings was the sixth and final member voted to the 2003-04 All-Rookie Team. Hajek was a key member of the Wings defense this season. The Bratislava, Slovakia native collected 74 loose balls this season and scored a goal and added two assists for three points. Philadelphia finished the regular season with a 7-9 record.
The schedule of announcements is as follows:
Monday 4/26
Sportsmanship Award
Gary Gait, Colorado Mammoth
Peter Lough, Arizona Sting
(co-winners)
Tuesday 4/27
Defensive Player of the Year (for a defenseman, non-goaltender)
Taylor Wray, Calgary Roughnecks
Cam Woods, San Jose Stealth
(co-winners)
Wednesday 4/28
Goaltender of the Year
Gee Nash, Colorado Mammoth
Thursday 4/29
"Les Bartley Trophy" for Head Coach of the Year
Paul Day, Rochester Knighthawks
Friday 4/30
General Manager of the Year
Johnny Mouradian, San Jose Stealth
Monday 5/3
Executive of the Year
Steve Govett, Colorado Mammoth
Tuesday 5/4
Rookie of the Year
Taylor Wray, Calgary Roughnecks
ALL-Rookie Team
Taylor Wray, Calgary Roughnecks
Scott Evans, Rochester Knighthawks
Craig Conn, Vancouver Ravens
Ryan Ward, Philadelphia Wings
AJ Shannon, Buffalo Bandits
Thomas Hajek, Philadelphia Wings
Wednesday 5/5
First and Second All-Pro Teams
Thursday 5/6
Most Valuable Player
(end of award announcements)
Friday 5/7
Champion’s Cup Final
Buffalo at Calgary, 10:30pm Eastern/8:30pm Mountain
View calgaryroughnecks.com