GARRETT BILLINGS NAMED NLL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

Toronto Rock forward Garrett Billings has been named the National Lacrosse League’s (NLL) Rookie of the Week after an eight point performance last Sunday in Toronto’s 14-13 loss to the Rush in Edmonton.

“He was probably one of the few guys that showed up to play on Sunday against Edmonton,” said Rock GM and assistant coach Terry Sanderson.

Billings scored three goals and added five helpers to Toronto’s 13 goal tally and was Toronto’s point leader for the game.

Sanderson was please to see Billings get back on the score board after struggling to post points the last few games.

“We are all new to Garrett, and Garrett is new to the league. He was fighting it the last two games, but that’s what rookies do, they go in spurts then hit a wall. It’s a learning thing,” added Sanderson.

Billings leads all rookies in both goals (21) and points (54).  

“At the beginning of the season no one knew who Garrett Billings was, and now teams know that the kid can play,” said Sanderson. “On Sunday even though he was being defended quite well he found a way to produce.”

This is the Rock rookie’s third league weekly honour. Billings was named Rookie of the Week in week’s 1 and 3 and also received the league’s monthly award for top rookie in January.

The NLL Weekly Player Awards are determined each week by a vote of the General Managers & Head Coaches of the league’s eleven member clubs.

Billings and the Rock host the Orlando Titans this Saturday, February 27. The 7:00 p.m. game at the Air Canada Centre will be broadcast on tape delay at 8:00 p.m. on TSN2.