STEPHAN LEBLANC NAMED ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

The National Lacrosse League announced today that Toronto Rock forward Stephan Leblanc was named Rookie of the Week for Week #6 of the 2010 season.

“We’ve been happy with his overall play knowing it is still a big learning curve for him,” said Terry Sanderson, Toronto’s GM and assistant coach. “So far there have been no signs of drop off but he has to keep pushing himself every time.”

The Rock rookie had an 11 point weekend 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.

Eight games into the 2010 season, Leblanc leads all rookies in points with 47 (16 goals, 31 assists) and sits second overall behind teammate Colin Doyle in league points.

“We didn’t realize that he was going to create as many shots as he does,” said Sanderson. “That’s a sign of a young man feeling confident in his play, and it’s one of the things that our coaching staff likes about him. He isn’t afraid to take those shots.”

This is Leblanc’s second consecutive league rookie honour after a five goal, nine assist, two-win weekend in Week #5.

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.

The Toronto Rock are on the road this weekend for a rematch with the Edmonton Rush. Game time on Sunday, February 21 is 3:30 p.m. ET at Rexall Place and fans will be able to watch the game on TSN2, tape delayed at 7:00 p.m. ET.