Oakville, ON – The National Lacrosse League (@NLL) continued with their end of season award announcements today which included Toronto Rock defender Latrell Harris being named the NLL Defensive Player of the Year for the first time in his career.
Harris, 25, makes it back-to-back seasons for the Rock taking this award, with teammate Mitch de Snoo winning last season. Among defenceman, he led the league in points with 30 on 10 goals and 20 assists. He is the fourth member of the Rock to win the award, joining de Snoo, Sandy Chapman and Pat Coyle. Harris finished the season with 108 loose ball recoveries, 24 caused turnovers, 10 blocked shots and only committing four penalty minutes on the team that allowed a league low, 9.11 goals per game.
The dynamic and ultra-athletic defender really came into his on during a stretch in the season when de Snoo was sidelined due to injury. Harris stepped up his game in every way and contributed to the team’s transition game, filling the void and more, left by the injured de Snoo.
Also in the mix for the award was Brad Kri who finished as the second runner-up, behind Halifax’s Graeme Hossack who is a three-time winner of the award himself.
The Rock also had finalists for the Goaltender of the Year Award in Nick Rose, and for the Transition Player of the Year Award in Challen Rogers.
Rose finished as the first runner-up to Calgary’s Christian Del Bianco for the Goaltender of the Year Award. The veteran Rock keeper found himself in the same position last year as the first runner-up to Buffalo’s Matt Vinc.
Calgary’s Zach Currier was named the Transition Player of the Year for the second straight season. Rock captain Challen Rogers finished as the first runner-up for the award. Rogers won the award in 2019 and 2020.
Below are the all-time winners of the Defensive Player of the Year Award
Below are the all-time winners of the Goaltender of the Year Award
Below are the all-time winners of the Transition Player of the Year Award
The NLL Awards continue this week leading up to the NLL finals between Buffalo and Colorado beginning with game one on Saturday at Buffalo’s KeyBank Center. On Friday, the league will announce the MVP along with the All-League and All-League Rookie teams.
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