It has been well documented that the Toronto Rock are without some of their top offensive players for most of this season. Yet the Rock are still in first place in the east by 1.5 games over each of the other teams, who are each at .500.
Toronto defeated the 0-4 Calgary Roughnecks last night to improve to a 4-1 record, half a game better than Colorado for the best record in the league. They are second in the east in goals for, and they only trail Buffalo who has played one more game.
Where have the Rock found their offense?
Josh Sanderson leads the NLL with 34 points in five games, so he is projected to finish with far more than the 70 he finished with last season. However, while Sanderson has been a feeder on offense, another young player has emerged as an offensive leader.
In his fifth year in the NLL, Rob Hellyer has found his role in Toronto. Playing a secondary role the past four seasons, Hellyer has struggled to break out in a loaded offense. Even now, when healthy, Toronto boasts Sanderson, Garrett Billings, Stephan LeBlanc, Colin Doyle, and Kasey Biernes.
But now Hellyer is making a serious case to remain in a big role on offense. Hellyer is tied for fourth in the league with 31 points on the season and if he remains in his role, should far exceed his 79 from last year.
Before his 79 from last year, Hellyer had combined for 24 points in his previous three. This week in the win, Hellyer recorded his 50th career goal.
“It feels good, I had no idea [the milestone] was coming,” said Hellyer after the game to NLL.com. “It’s great to be a regular in the league now and know your spot.”
The former third round pick has always been an underdog, starting his career playing Jr B in Owen Sound before being elevated to Jr A with Orangeville. He earned 41 points in his first season, raising his draft stock to be selected by Toronto.
The Rock don’t have an easy road ahead after a bye week in week six. In week seven they face back-to-back games against Minnesota before hosting New England and then heading to Edmonton.
