NLL Rookie Report – Week 11
With eight of the nine NLL clubs in action last weekend that meant several NLL rookies took to the floor looking to make an impact with their respective clubs. At this point in the season we’ve seen the rookie of the year race really become a two horse race between Minnesota’s Miles Thompson and Edmonton’s Ben McIntosh. However with Jeremy Noble finally dawning an NLL jersey last week, a third rookie has thrown his name into consideration. Noble followed up his seven point NLL debut with a six point effort against the Vancouver Stealth this week, giving him 13 points in just two games. If Noble can keep this potent pace for the Mammoth’s final seven games, he would have to be seriously considered for Rookie of the Year honors despite missing the first nine games of the Mammoth’s season. Noble wasn’t the only rookie to produce effectively this past weekend, as the aforementioned Thompson and McIntosh also had impressive weekends, while Brandon Clelland, Robert Hope and Patrick Miles where all impressive at the defensive end of the floor.
1. Jeremy Noble (O) – Colorado Mammoth
How do you follow up a seven point NLL debut ? Well Jeremy Noble followed his NLL debut with another impressive offensive effort, potting 4 goals and 2 assists for 6 points in the Mammoth’s 14-11 win over Vancouver. Noble also scooped three loose balls against Vancouver, and already sits eighth in Mammoth team scoring after just two games.
2. Miles Thompson (O) – Minnesota Swarm
Thompson looked to be hitting a bit of a rookie wall a couple weeks ago, but has since regained his potent offensive production, as he now has 14 points in his last four games, after a 2 goal, 2 assists effort in the Swarm’s 12-8 loss to Buffalo. Thompson also finished 2nd on his club in loose balls during the game, picking up 6 in the loss. With 43 points in 11 games, Thompson sits one point back of Ben McIntosh for the rookie lead.
3. Ben McIntosh (O) – Edmonton Rush
The rookie scoring leader was a focus of the Toronto Rock defense in last weekends 11-9 win over the Rock. Despite Toronto’s best effort to limit McIntosh’s production, he was still able to pick up 3 assists and scoop 6 loose balls. McIntosh leads all rookies offensively with 44 points in 10 games, and currently sits 4th on Rush team scoring.
4. Robert Hope (D) – Colorado Mammoth
Hope continues his superb rookie season with the Mammoth, as he continues to show a maturity beyond his years and an impressive skill set that has allowed him to thrive as a rookie defender. This past weekend Hope didn’t reach the score sheet offensively, but did manage to scoop six loose balls, force two turnovers and rack up five penalty minutes. Hope is hands down the most impactful rookie plying his trade in the defensive end, and deserves to be in the conversation for rookie of the year.
5. Brandon Clelland (D) – Vancouver Stealth
Clelland had arguably his most impactful game as an NLL player this past weekend in his teams 14-11 loss to Colorado. Clelland reached the scorer sheet, potting his 2nd career NLL goal. But he was also largely impacftul on the Stealth back end, scooping two loose balls and forcing a turnover. Clelland continues to improve as he gains confidence and adjusts to the pace of the game.
6. Eli McLaughlin (O) – Colorado Mammoth
The rookie from Surrey, BC had a quite weekend as far as he’s concerned, as he racked up just 1 assist in the Mammoth’s 14-11 win over Vancouver. While McLaughlin was kept quite this past weekend, he still sits third in NLL rookie scoring with 23 points in 10 games. The addition of Jeremy Noble has limited McLaughlin’s touches, and while this trend will continue, look for McLaughlin to adjust to the limited touches and still find ways to be effective.
7. Shane MacDonald (O) – Minnesota Swarm
MacDonald continues to be a mainstay in the Swarm’s lineup after a breakout performance against the Toronto Rock on February 14th. MacDonald followed that performance up with a 4 point game against Vancouver, and hasn’t looked back since. While this past weekend was a quite one for MacDonald, he did record one assist, fire 7 shots on goal and scooped 2 loose balls. MacDonald also signed with the New Westminster Salmonbellies of the WLA for the 2015 summer season.
8. Sheldon Burns (D) – New England Black Wolves
One of the more underrated rookies competing in the NLL this season, Burns continues to be a mainstay on the Black Wolves back end. Burns uses excellent body position, intelligence and speed to be one of the more athletic defenders on the Black Wolves back end. With more confidence we should see Burns transition game improve in the not to distant future. This past weekend Burns didn’t reach the score sheet offensively, but he did scoop 6 loose balls, recorded 2 shots on goal and racked up 5 penalty minutes.
9. Mark Cockerton (O) – New England Black Wolves
After a career high five points last weekend against the Minnesota Swarm, Cockerton stayed in the Black Wolves lineup this past weekend against the Calgary Roughnecks. An while it was a disappointing evening for the Black Wolves, Cockerton was fairly impressive despite racking up just one assist. Cockerton scooped one loose ball on top of his single assist, and now sits with 12 points in 5 games.
10. Tyler Melnyk (O) – Edmonton Rush
After making his NLL debut last weekend against the Vancouver Stealth, Melnyk looked to follow up his 5 point debut with another strong effort against the NLL leading Toronto Rock. While Melnyk was unsuccessful in matching his debut totals, he did find the back of the net once in the Edmonton 11-9 win, also scooping one loose ball in the win.
