Record-setting Rob Pannell took home the Coca-Cola Most Valuable Player Award from Major League Lacrosse to highlight the league's awards ceremony on Friday night from Charleston, S.C., on the eve of the league's championship game.
Pannell poured in 78 points on 43 goals and 35 assists for New York despite missing one game during the Federation of International Lacrosse World Championship to break his own single-season record of 74 points set in 2016. Pannell, who earned All-World honors in helping the U.S. win the world championship, led the MLL in goals, assists and points and helped New York reach the league playoffs.
"Last week I heard Mitch Belisle talk about what it takes to have success in this league," Pannell said. "It was luck, hard work and great teammates. I think this year, more than any year in this league, I've had a great group of guys around me and I've had the most fun I've had playing the game in a while. I think that allowed me to have the season I did."
The MVP Award was the first for Pannell, and he was also named the Warrior Offensive Player of the Year for the second time in his career.
Matt Dunn, a third-year defenseman out of Maryland, was named the Warrior Defensive Player of the Year. Dunn helped anchor a unit that ranked second in the league, allowing just 12. 5 goals per game.
Chesapeake's Niko Amato and Dallas' John Galloway shared the Brine Goalie of the Year award. Amato had a 53.7 save percentage and 12.37 goals against average to help Chesapeake reach the playoffs. Galloway, the Team USA co-captain, went 8-1 in the regular season with a 51.1 save percentage and 12.90 goals against average.
Chris Cloutier, who wasn't selected until the fourth round, was named the Cascade Rookie of the Year. The attackman out of North Carolina poured in 40 points (26g, 14a) in just six games and had six goals in three different games.
Bill Warder, who led Dallas to a league-best 11-3 record, was named the Tito's Vodka Coach of the Year. The Rattlers, playing their first season in Dallas after moving from Rochester, will meet Denver in the MLL Championship game on Saturday.
Belisle, a former U.S. team member, who retired from Boston this year after 12 seasons in the league, received the Maverik Player's Choice Award as the best lockerroom guy.
Scott Ratliff of the Atlanta Blaze was the inaugural winner of the David Huntley Man of the Year Award. Huntley, the former Atlanta head coach was a huge advocate of the sport in both Canada and the United States, before his passing last December.
Ratliff, who played for Huntley in his hometown city received the the award from Huntley's daughter, Michelle. Ratliff has launched the Give & Go Foundation, which is aimed at developing the sport internationally, with fellow MLL players Adam Ghitelman and Marcus Holman.
"It was so important, the impact he made on me and the interest he took in me, not just on, but off the field, and not just me, but every player," Ratliff said. "I don't think there's anyone who's made an impact across lacrosse like he did."
2018 Major League Lacrosse Awards
Cascade Rookie of the Year: Chris Cloutier, Denver
Tito's Vodka Coach of the Year: Bill Warder, Dallas
Brine Goalie of the Year: Niko Amato, Chesapeake and John Galloway, Dallas
Maverik Player's Choice Award: Mitch Belisle, Boston
Warrior Offensive Player of the Year: Rob Pannell, New York
Warrior Defensive Player of the Year: Matt Dunn, Dallas
David Huntley Man of the Year: Scott Ratliff, Atlanta
Coca Cola Most Valuable Player: Rob Pannell, New York