STEPHAN LEBLANC NAMED NLL ROOKIE OF THE MONTH

The National Lacrosse League announced today that Toronto Rock forward Stephan Leblanc was named February’s Rookie of the Month. 

Leblanc was Toronto’s third pick, 11^th overall, in the first round of the 2009 NLL Entry Draft.

The Dundas, Ontario native had back-to-back stellar weeks in early February winning consecutive Rookie of the Week awards. In Week #5 he had a five goal, nine assist two-win weekend, and in Week #6 Leblanc tallied 11 points contributing four goals and three assists to Toronto’s 16-7 home victory over Edmonton on Friday and one goal and three assists in a 10-8 loss at Calgary on Sunday.

Leblanc, 24, has been one of the most consistent players in the league this season recording at least one goal in every game, and has not had lower than three points per game.  He sits fifth overall and second in rookie rankings with his 53 points (20 goals, 33 assists). More than half his tally (31) was recorded in February.

This is Toronto’s second Rookie of the Month nod as Leblanc’s first-round counterpart Garrett Billings was given the award in January.

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

Leblanc and the rest of the Rock are back in action on Friday, March 12 when they host the Buffalo Bandits. Ball drops at 7:30 p.m. ET for Toronto’s only home game of the month. Fans are invited to join their favourite Rock players on the turf after the game for Toronto Sun Autograph Night. Tickets can be purchased online through Ticket Master at www.ticketmaster.ca or the Toronto Rock website at www.torontorock.com.