The Premier Lacrosse League honored its stars Friday night, one of the final events before the league championship game on Sunday between the Whipsnakes and Chaos.
Blaze Riorden was named the Jim Brown Most Valuable Player after effectively leading the Chaos to a second straight championship game. In nine games thus far, the Albany product made 149 saves and saved 61 percent of shots faced. Playing behind a stout defense, Riorden has served as the emergency blanket for the championship-hopeful Chaos.
Jim Brown Most Valuable Player: Blaze Riorden
— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) September 18, 2021
Blaze has impacted both ends of the field from within his crease, turning saves into outlets for fast breaks. He made a league-high 149 saves, turning aside 61% of shots against. pic.twitter.com/cqGDsLT4Gl
Below is a list of the rest of the award winners.
DICK EDELL COACH OF THE YEAR
ANDY COPELAN, WATERDOGS
Dick Edell Coach of the Year: Andy Copelan
— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) September 18, 2021
In his second year as head coach, Copelan’s Waterdogs went from 5th to 1st place. His shrewd offseason drafting and trading set them up to improve on both ends of the field. pic.twitter.com/HnbozsMrUe
WELLES CROWTHER HUMANITARIAN AWARD
LYLE THOMPSON, CANNONS
Welles Crowther Humanitarian Award: Lyle Thompson
— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) September 18, 2021
Lyle has used his platform to raise awareness of the atrocities committed at Native boarding and residential schools. pic.twitter.com/0IRGbstbGc
BRENDAN LOONEY LEADERSHIP AWARD
KYLE HARRISON, REDWOODS
Brendan Looney Leadership Award: Kyle Harrison
— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) September 18, 2021
In his last season, Kyle Harrison adjusted his role for the betterment of the Redwoods, helping the next generation of leaders grow into their role while also being an advocate/leader with the Black Lacrosse Alliance. pic.twitter.com/Hk8HyGmnEv
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
JEFF TEAT, ATLAS
Rookie of the Year : Jeff Teat
— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) September 17, 2021
Jeff Teat made an immediate impact after joining the Atlas lineup in Week 3, finishing with 32 (16G, 16A) in only 7 games. The rookie from @CornellLacrosse embodied Atlas’ family style of offense. pic.twitter.com/JjczL3pT6O
DAVE PIETRAMALA DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
GRAEME HOSSACK, ARCHERS
Dave Pietramala Defensive Player of the Year : Graeme Hossack
— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) September 17, 2021
An All-World defender for Team Canada, Hossack erased his assignment from the box score all season long. pic.twitter.com/92mlyBGzGr
EAMON MCEANEANEY ATTACKMAN OF THE YEAR
GRANT AMENT, ARCHERS
Eamon McEneaney Attackman of the Year: Grant Ament
— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) September 17, 2021
In his second year as a pro, Grant Ament led the league in assists (22) and points (35). His signature sidearm skip passes are able to find any shooter on the field. pic.twitter.com/f2BDvLndrx
OREN LYONS GOALIE OF THE YEAR
BLAZE RIORDEN, CHAOS
Oren Lyons Goalie of the Year: Blaze Riorden
— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) September 17, 2021
Blaze has reinvented the goalie position with his butterfly technique en route to his third straight Oren Lyons Goalie of the Year Award. pic.twitter.com/hagNcWYTLV
PAUL CANTABENE FACEOFF ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
TREVOR BAPTISTE, ATLAS
Paul Cantabene Faceoff Athlete of the Year: Trevor Baptiste⁰
— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) September 18, 2021
Baptiste won a league-high 65% of faceoffs. His ability to vary his exits -- either out front for fast breaks (4G, 2A) or behind for possessions -- separates him from the rest. pic.twitter.com/3T9dNXnn2W
GEORGE BOIARDI HARD HAT AWARD
DANNY LOGAN, ATLAS
George Boiardi Hard Hat Award: Danny Logan
— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) September 18, 2021
Logan played physical on-ball defense as a rookie, shutting down opposing offensive midfielders while rarely needing a slide. pic.twitter.com/uS7V0ZvSoo
DAVE HUNTLEY SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
ERIC LAW, ATLAS
Dave Huntley Sportsmanship Award: Eric Law
— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) September 18, 2021
Eric Law has been a staple of Denver City Lax year over year, putting sticks in hands and growing the game. pic.twitter.com/KnVJjwnBxD
JIMMY REGAN TEAMMATE AWARD
JACK KELLY, REDWOODS
Jimmy Regan Teammate Award: Jack Kelly
— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) September 18, 2021
1,085 days after tearing his ACL in the 2018 World Games, Jack Kelly returned to the field to lead the Redwoods to a victory at home on Long Island. pic.twitter.com/OdkTBoqK0a
BRODIE MERRILL LONG STICK MIDFIELDER OF THE YEAR
MICHAEL EHRHARDT, WHIPSNAKES
Brodie Merrill Long Stick Midfielder of the Year: Michael Ehrhardt
— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) September 18, 2021
For the third year in a row, Michael Ehrhardt is the Brodie Merrill LSM of the Year. His play from endline to endline is unparalleled. pic.twitter.com/VCnCkPsqzQ
GAIT BROTHERS MIDFIELDER OF THE YEAR
ZACH CURRIER, WATERDOGS
Gait Brothers Midfielder of the Year: Zach Currier
— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) September 18, 2021
From faceoff wings to defense to offense, Zach Currier is a throwback, do-it-all midfielder. His tenacity between the arcs set the tone for the Waterdogs. pic.twitter.com/Q8dzU0YU5j