Rob Hellyer Wins NLL Player Of The Month

TORONTO, ON – The National Lacrosse League has announced Player of the Month and Rookie of the Month award winners for April of the 2014 NLL regular season. Toronto Rock forward Rob Hellyer won the overall player award, marking three months in a row that a Rock player earned the distinction, while Minnesota Swarm forward Logan Schuss also earned the rookie award for the third-straight month.

Hellyer won NLL Player of the Month after posting 31 points (8+23) in just four games played as Toronto went unbeaten in April. Hellyer recorded seven or more points three times during the month, including a 12-point performance on April 5 at Vancouver, which tied the single-game high for points by an NLL player this season. Hellyer joins Rock teammate Garrett Billings, who won the Player of the Month award in both February and March.

The 21-year-old, who is already in his fourth NLL season, finished third on the Rock with 79 points (29+50) and 93 loose balls this year. Hellyer ranked ninth in the league with 50 assists and 11th in the NLL with 79 points (29+50) in 2014. The Lion’s Head, Ontario native, who was Toronto’s third-round selection (30th overall) in the 2010 NLL Entry Draft, was part of the Rock’s 2011 championship team.

Schuss, who led all rookies in goals (36), assists (37) and points (73) this year and finished fourth with 77 loose balls, won NLL Rookie of the Month for the third-straight month by recording 27 points (15+12) in five games played during April.

Schuss finished tied for sixth in the entire league with 36 goals and ranked 16th in the NLL and second on the Swarm in points. His nine power play goals led all rookies and were tied for eighth-most in the league. The Ladner, BC native, who played collegiately at Ohio State University, was the first overall pick in the 2013 NLL Entry Draft.

Player of the Month

Rob Hellyer, Toronto Rock (4 GP, 8 G, 23 A, 31 PTS, 32 LB, 1 FT): Hellyer recorded a combined 31 points (8+23), with a single-game high of 12 points (3+9) on April 5 against Vancouver, and 32 loose balls and one forced turnover as Toronto posted a 4-0 record in April.

Rookie of the Month

Logan Schuss, Minnesota Swarm (5 GP, 15 G, 12 A, 27 PTS, 22 LB, 1 FT): Schuss recorded a combined 27 points (15+12), with a single-game high of seven points (4+3) on April 19 against Colorado, and 22 loose balls and one forced turnover as Minnesota posted a 1-4 record in April.

The NLL Monthly Player Awards are determined by a vote of the league’s general managers and head coaches.

The Toronto Rock will open the 2014 NLL Playoffs on Saturday night when they take on the Buffalo Bandits at 7pm at Air Canada Centre.  2015 season tickets are now on sale, for more information, please visit www.torontorock.com or phone 416-596-3075 to speak with a ticket representative get your hands on the BEST ticket in town.