Shayne Jackson of the Georgia Swarm is the 2019-20 National Lacrosse League MVP, the league announced during its two-hour awards presentation on Twitter last night.
Top 5 in goals. Top 5 in assists. Top 5 in points. The best plus/minus in the NLL this year.
— NLL (@NLL) July 1, 2020
Shayne Jackson is your 2019-20 #NLLAwards | @ShayneJackson32 | @GeorgiaSwarmLax pic.twitter.com/rgmtHWo0le
Despite playing six fewer games this season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jackson tied the 31 goals he scored last year and added 42 assists for 73 points — third in the league behind Callum Crawford (76) and Mitch Jones (74). Crawford and Rob Hellyer were the other finalists for the award.
As part of our season preview, US Lacrosse Magazine contributor Jack Goods predicted Crawford would win the league MVP award.
When COVID-19 shut down the remainder of the NLL regular season (it eventually prevented the NLL from holding playoffs, too), Georgia was second in the East Division at 7-5. Jackson, the No. 4 pick in the 2012 NLL draft, was three points ahead of Randy Staats for the team lead while posting a shooting percentage of .208.
Jackson scored at least five points in all but one game, a three-point outing on March 7 in an 11-7 win over the Riptide. He recorded nine hat tricks.
Other Award Winners
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Defensive Player of the Year: Graeme Hossack, Halifax Thunderbirds
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Transition Player of the Year: Challen Rogers, Toronto Rock
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Goaltender of the Year: Doug Jamieson, New England Black Wolves
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Coach of the Year: Paul Day, Philadelphia Wings
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General Manager of the Year: Paul Day, Philadelphia Wings
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Media Member of the Year: Craig Rybczynski, Rochester Knighthawks
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Rookie of the Year: Tyson Gibson, New York Riptide
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Sportsmanship Award: Lyle Thompson, Georgia Swarm
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Teammate of the Year: Dan Dawson, Toronto Rock; Mike Poulin, Georgia Swarm
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Executive of the Year: John Catalano, Halifax Thunderbirds
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All-Rookie Team: Tyson Gibson, New York Riptide; Ryland Rees, Rochester Knighthawks; Andrew Kew, New England Black Wolves; Connor Fields, San Diego Seals; Joe Nardella, New England Black Wolves; Clarke Petterson, Halifax Thunderbirds
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All-League First Team: Shayne Jackson, Georgia Swarm; Challen Rogers, Toronto Rock; Callum Crawford, New England Black Wolves; Graeme Hossack, Halifax Thunderbirds; Doug Jamieson, New England Black Wolves; Kyle Rubisch, Saskatchewan Rush
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All-League Second Team: Rob Hellyer, Toronto Rock; Kiel Matisz, Philadelphia Wings; Cody Jamieson, Halifax Thunderbirds; Robert Hope, Colorado Mammoth; Dillon Ward, Colorado Mammoth; Dan Macrae, New York Riptide