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2009 NLL season

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2009 NLL season
LeagueNational Lacrosse League
SportIndoor lacrosse
DurationJanuary 3, 2009 – May 15, 2009
Number of games16
Number of teams12
Regular season
Top scorerColin Doyle (San Jose)
Playoffs
Eastern championsNew York Titans
  Eastern runners-upBuffalo Bandits
Western championsCalgary Roughnecks
  Western runners-upSan Jose Stealth
Champion's Cup
ChampionsCalgary Roughnecks
  Runners-upNew York Titans
Finals MVPJosh Sanderson
NLL seasons

The 2009 National Lacrosse League season, the 23rd in the history of the NLL, began January 3, 2009 in Buffalo, Portland, and Sunrise, Florida,[1] and concluded with the Calgary Roughnecks defeating the New York Titans 12—10 in the Champion's Cup on May 15, 2009 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Team movement

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After the 2008 season was cancelled and then reinstated, the Boston Blazers and Arizona Sting both announced that they would not participate in the 2008 season, and would return in 2009.[2] However, in the summer of 2008 the Arizona Sting ceased operations and its players were put in a dispersal draft.[3] The Blazers drafted former Sting and LumberJax forward Dan Dawson first overall.[4]

Just weeks prior to the start of the season, the Chicago Shamrox suspended operations due to financial troubles and the players were placed in another dispersal draft.[5] Anthony Cosmo was selected 1st overall by the Boston Blazers in this draft.[6]

Finally, while not a franchise relocation, the Minnesota Swarm were moved from the East Division to the West Division.

Teams

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East Division West Division
2009 National Lacrosse League
Division Team City Arena Capacity
East Boston Blazers Boston, Massachusetts TD Garden 17,850
Buffalo Bandits Buffalo, New York HSBC Arena 18,690
New York Titans Newark, New Jersey Prudential Center 17,625
Philadelphia Wings Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Wachovia Center 19,523
Rochester Knighthawks Rochester, New York Blue Cross Arena 10,662
Toronto Rock Toronto, Ontario Air Canada Centre 18,800
West Calgary Roughnecks Calgary, Alberta Pengrowth Saddledome 19,289
Colorado Mammoth Denver, Colorado Pepsi Center 18,007
Edmonton Rush Edmonton, Alberta Rexall Place 16,839
Minnesota Swarm Saint Paul, Minnesota XCEL Energy Center 18,064
Portland Lumberjax Portland, Oregon Rose Garden 18,280
San Jose Stealth San Jose, California HP Pavilion 17,496

Final standings

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Reference: [7]

East Division
PTeamGPWLPCTGBHomeRoadGFGADiffGF/GPGA/GP

1New York Titans – xy16106.6250.05–35–3190180+1011.8811.25
2Buffalo Bandits – x16106.6250.05–35–3223170+5313.9410.62
3Boston Blazers – x16106.6250.04–46–2181168+1311.3110.50
4Rochester Knighthawks – x1679.4383.06–21–7169197−2810.5612.31
5Philadelphia Wings1679.4383.04–43–5188193−511.7512.06
6Toronto Rock16610.3754.03–53–5194218−2412.1213.62
West Division
PTeamGPWLPCTGBHomeRoadGFGADiffGF/GPGA/GP

1Calgary Roughnecks – xyz16124.7500.05–37–1206167+3912.8810.44
2Portland LumberJax – x1697.5623.04–45–3181177+411.3111.06
3San Jose Stealth – x1679.4385.05–32–6200185+1512.5011.56
4Colorado Mammoth – x1679.4385.04–43–5172184−1210.7511.50
5Minnesota Swarm16610.3756.02–64–4174198−2410.8812.38
6Edmonton Rush16511.3127.04–41–7159200−419.9412.50

x: Clinched playoff berth; c: Clinched playoff berth by crossing over to another division; y: Clinched division; z: Clinched best regular season record; GP: Games Played
W: Wins; L: Losses; GB: Games back; PCT: Win percentage; Home: Record at Home; Road: Record on the Road; GF: Goals scored; GA: Goals allowed
Differential: Difference between goals scored and allowed; GF/GP: Average number of goals scored per game; GA/GP: Average number of goals allowed per game

Playoffs

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Divisional Semifinal Divisional Final Champion's Cup Final
         
E1 New York 11
E4 Rochester 10
E1 New York 9
Eastern Division
E2 Buffalo 3
E2 Buffalo 11
E3 Boston 8
E1 New York 10
W1 Calgary 12
W1 Calgary 15
W4 Colorado 8
W1 Calgary 17
Western Division
W3 San Jose 5
W2 Portland 16
W3 San Jose 20

Milestones and events

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Pre-season

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  • August 19, 2008: The NLL announced that the Minnesota Swarm would be moving from the East division to the West division, giving the West six teams to the East's seven.[8]
  • August 22, 2008: Chicago Shamrox goalie Matt Roik was traded to the San Jose Stealth with two first round draft picks in exchange for veteran goalie Anthony Cosmo.[9]
  • September 2, 2008: The Rochester Knighthawks announce that Paul Suggate will be the new head coach. Freeman Bucktooth and former team captain Mike Hasen were also named assistant coaches.[10]
  • September 7, 2008: Just hours before the entry draft, the Toronto Rock, San Jose Stealth, and Rochester Knighthawks made a blockbuster trade. Toronto sent Aaron Wilson and a 2009 first round draft pick to Rochester, who sent Stephen Hoar back to Toronto. Toronto also received Luke Wiles from San Jose, while San Jose gets Rochester's first round pick in the 2008 entry draft.[11]
  • September 9, 2008: Rochester Knighthawks star John Grant, Jr. announced that he would miss the entire 2009 season after undergoing emergency surgery to remove an infection in the ACL in his left knee.[12]
  • September 25: The NLL announced that a regular season game will be played between the New York Titans and the Toronto Rock at BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida, a suburb of Fort Lauderdale. The game will be known as the Florida Lacrosse Cup. This will be the first pro lacrosse game ever played in the state. The event was spearheaded by former Rock and Philadelphia Wings forward Kevin Finneran.[13]
  • October 15, 2008: The Rochester Knighthawks acquired the rights to lacrosse legend Gary Gait from the Colorado Mammoth for forward Andrew Potter and first-round draft picks in both 2009 and 2010. Gait, whose single-season scoring record was shattered during the 2008 season by Athan Iannucci, originally retired from the NLL after the 2005 season.[14]
  • November 11, 2008: Legendary goaltender Dallas Eliuk announced that he will not play in 2009, taking a job as an assistant coach with the Portland LumberJax.[15] Eliuk did not officially announce his retirement until December 9.[16] Eliuk won four NLL championships, all with the Wings, and is the NLL's all-time leader in saves.
  • November 25, 2008: Rochester Knighthawks GM Regy Thorpe signed a playing contract, becoming the first player-GM in NLL history.[17]
  • December 24, 2008: Less than four months after taking the job and without a single regular season game under his belt, Paul Suggate resigned his position as Rochester head coach.[18] No reason was given for Suggate's resignation. Only two days later, the Knighthawks announced that lacrosse legend Paul Gait had been hired as head coach.[19]

Regular season

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  • January 3, 2009: The Toronto Rock won the first-ever Florida Lacrosse Cup, defeating the New York Titans 15-14 to open the season. Blaine Manning scored the winner, his fourth goal of the game, with 38 seconds left in regulation time to seal the victory, and was named Overall Player of the Week.[20]
  • January 10, 2009: Jim Jennings announced his resignation as commissioner of the NLL, stating: "I feel that I have accomplished all the goals I set out to do at the NLL. I want to spend some time with my family before pursuing other opportunities and taking on the next challenge." NLL Deputy Commissioner and COO George Daniel was named Interim Commissioner.[21]
  • January 10, 2009: Gary Gait scored five goals in his return to the NLL, but Rochester lost to Philadelphia 16-13.[22]
  • January 16, 2009: In a 23-6 loss at Buffalo, the Rochester Knighthawks allowed the most goals in a single game in their history. The 17-point defeat was also their most lopsided loss ever.[23]
  • January 20, 2009: Only three games into the season, the Toronto Rock fired head coach Glenn Clark and assistant coach Terry Bullen and hired former Chicago Shamrox and Colorado Mammoth coach Jamie Batley as the new head coach. Assistant coach Jim Veltman was relieved of his coaching duties, but remained with the Rock as an advisor.[24]
  • February 10, 2009: The league announced that Dallas Eliuk and Jim Veltman will be inducted into the National Lacrosse League Hall of Fame in March, 2009.[25]
  • February 14, 2009: Mark Steenhuis of the Buffalo Bandits scored 13 assists and 17 points in a 25-10 win over Toronto breaking the league's single-game records for assists and points. The records were previously held by Derek Malawsky (11 assists in 2002) and John Grant Jr. (15 points in 2007) both of the Rochester Knighthawks.[26]
  • March 20, 2009: The San Jose Stealth announced that offensive coordinator Chris Hall has been named head coach, while former head coach Jeff Dowling will take over Hall's post as offensive coordinator.[27]
  • April 11, 2009: San Jose Stealth rookie Rhys Duch scored five goals and added three assists, giving him 86 points for the season, breaking Gavin Prout's rookie scoring record. In the same game, Stealth captain Colin Doyle tied Josh Sanderson's single-season assists record of 71.[28]
  • April 17, 2009: Calgary's Josh Sanderson finished the season with 74 assists, breaking his own single-season record of 71. The next night, Boston's Dan Dawson had five assists, tying him with Sanderson for the league lead and record.[29]
  • April 18, 2009: Rhys Duch extends his new rookie scoring record to 89, with one goal and two assists against the Toronto Rock.[29]

Post-season

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  • April 22, 2009: After missing the playoffs for the sixth time in seven years, the Philadelphia Wings fired GM Lindsay Sanderson. The Wings were 38-42 during Sanderson's five-year tenure, and only made the playoffs once.[30]
  • April 29, 2009: Toronto Rock Director of Lacrosse Operations Mike Kloepfer announced his resignation. The Rock were 19-29 in three years under Kloepfer, missing the playoffs in both 2008 and 2009.[31]
  • May 4, 2009: The Portland LumberJax announced that they will not be playing in Portland next season. Executive vice president Brian Silcott said that the team will not fold, but they are looking at either moving or selling the franchise; the franchise did fold, however.[32]
  • May 9, 2009: Both division final games featured outstanding performances by the winning goaltenders. In New York, Matt Vinc stopped 41 out of 44 shots and kept the Buffalo Bandits to only three goals as the Titans defeated Buffalo 9-3.[33] In Calgary, Matt King shut the San Jose Stealth out for the first three quarters and even scored a goal of his own - the game-winner - as Calgary destroyed the Stealth 17-5.
  • May 15, 2009: The Calgary Roughnecks defeated the New York Titans 12-10 to capture their second Champions Cup title.
  • May 19, 2009: The Edmonton Rush fired head coach and GM Bob Hamley after finishing last in the West for the second straight season.[34]

All-Star game

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The 2009 All-Star Game was held at Pepsi Center in Denver on March 7, 2009.[35] The East beat the West 27-21 as Buffalo's Mark Steenhuis scored seven goals and six assists on his way to his third All-Star Game MVP award.[36]

All-Star teams

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Eastern Division starters   Western Division starters
Dan Dawson, Boston Colin Doyle, San Jose
Casey Powell, New York * Josh Sanderson, Calgary
Mark Steenhuis, Buffalo Dan Teat, Edmonton
Geoff Snider, Philadelphia * Brodie Merrill, Portland
Chris White, Buffalo Bruce Murray, Colorado
Ken Montour, Buffalo (goalie) Matt Disher, Portland (goalie)
Eastern Division reserves Western Division reserves
Jason Crosbie, Toronto Brian Langtry, Colorado
Gary Gait, Rochester Peter Morgan, Portland
Pat Maddalena, New York Gavin Prout, Colorado
John Tavares, Buffalo Tracey Kelusky, Calgary
Roger Vyse, Buffalo Jeff Zywicki, San Jose
Shawn Williams, Rochester Nick Carlson, Colorado
Jordan Hall, New York Jeff Shattler, Calgary
Mitch Belisle, Boston Ryan Cousins, Minnesota
Greg Peyser, New York * Ian Hawksbee, Edmonton
Kyle Sweeney, Philadelphia Nick Inch, Minnesota
Cam Woods, Toronto * Jeff Moleski, Calgary
Anthony Cosmo, Boston (goalie) Andrew Leyshon, Colorado (goalie)
Drew Westervelt, Philadelphia (injury replacement)  
Brendan Mundorf, New York (injury replacement)  
Jarett Park, New York (injury replacement)  
Stephen Peyser, New York (injury replacement)  

* Unable to play due to injury

Awards

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Annual

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Award Winner Team
Most Valuable Player Dan Dawson[37] Boston Blazers
Goaltender of the Year Ken Montour[38] Buffalo Bandits
Defensive Player of the Year Billy Dee Smith[38] Buffalo Bandits
Transition Player of the Year Brodie Merrill[38] Portland Lumberjax
Rookie of the Year Rhys Duch[38] San Jose Stealth
Sportsmanship Award Dan Dawson[39] Boston Blazers
GM of the Year Ed Comeau[40] New York Titans
Les Bartley Award Troy Cordingley [40] Calgary Roughnecks
Executive of the Year Award John J. Arlotta [41] Minnesota Swarm
Tom Borrelli Award Paul Tutka [39]  

All-Pro teams

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First Team

Second Team

All-Rookie team

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Weekly awards

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The NLL gives out awards weekly for the best overall player, best offensive player, best transition player, best defensive player, and best rookie.

Month Week Overall Offensive Defensive Transition Rookie
January 1 Blaine Manning Casey Powell Kevin Croswell Scott Stewart Andrew Watt
2 Gary Gait Pat Maddalena Ken Montour Brodie Merrill Sean Thomson
3 Mark Steenhuis Mark Steenhuis Ken Montour Greg Peyser Daryl Veltman
4 Dan Teat Dan Dawson Michael Thompson Tyler Codron Daryl Veltman
5 Matt Disher Mike Accursi Matt Disher Curtis Hodgson Matt Danowski
February 6 Gary Bining Tracey Kelusky Pat Campbell Chris Driscoll Gary Bining
7 Mark Steenhuis Mark Steenhuis Anthony Cosmo Jason Bloom Tyler Crompton
8 Dan Dawson Mark Steenhuis Jon Harnett Bobby McBride Rhys Duch
9 Shawn Evans Shawn Evans Matt Disher Kyle Ross Kevin Buchanan
March 10 Shawn Evans Shawn Evans Sandy Chapman Pat McCready Kevin Buchanan
11 Bob Watson John Tavares Ken Montour Paul Rabil Tyler Crompton
12 Athan Iannucci Andy Secore Matt Vinc Brodie Merrill Rhys Duch
13 John Tavares Colin Doyle Tyler Richards Brodie Merrill Rhys Duch
April 14 Anthony Cosmo Merrick Thomson Matt Disher Scott Stewart Rhys Duch
15 Pat O'Toole Sean Morris Ray Guze Steve Toll Daryl Veltman

Monthly awards

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Awards are also given out monthly for the best overall player and best rookie.

Month Overall Rookie
January Casey Powell Daryl Veltman
February Mark Steenhuis Daryl Veltman
March Bob Watson Rhys Duch

Statistics leaders

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Bold numbers indicate new single-season records. Italics indicate tied single-season records.

Stat Player Team Total
Goals Mark Steenhuis Buffalo 51
John Tavares Buffalo 51
Assists Dan Dawson Boston 74
Josh Sanderson Calgary 74
Points Colin Doyle San Jose 111
Penalty Minutes Eric Martin San Jose 89
Shots on Goal Mark Steenhuis Buffalo 186
Loose Balls Geoff Snider Philadelphia 220
Save Pct Ken Montour Buffalo .813
GAA Ken Montour Buffalo 9.57

Attendance

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Regular Season

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Home Team Home Games Average Attendance Total Attendance[42]
Buffalo Bandits 8 17,947 143,581
Colorado Mammoth 8 16,475 131,800
Toronto Rock 8 13,921 111,372
Minnesota Swarm 8 12,308 98,465
Philadelphia Wings 8 10,537 84,299
Calgary Roughnecks 8 10,398 83,189
Edmonton Rush 8 8,347 66,783
Rochester Knighthawks 8 7,516 60,132
Portland LumberJax 8 7,320 58,564
Boston Blazers 8 6,620 52,966
New York Titans 8 4,692 37,542
San Jose Stealth 8 4,129 33,038
League 96 10,018 961,731

Playoffs

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Home Team Home Games Average Attendance Total Attendance[43]
Buffalo Bandits 1 13,343 13,343
Calgary Roughnecks 3 10,813 32,441
Portland LumberJax 1 6,053 6,053
New York Titans 2 5,261 10,522
League 7 8,908 62,359

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "League announces revised 2009 schedule". NLL.com. December 12, 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-07-04. Retrieved 2008-12-14.
  2. ^ "League Releases New 2008 Schedule". NLL.com. November 2, 2007. Archived from the original on 6 November 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-02.
  3. ^ "Dawson & Conn among available players". NLL.com. June 27, 2008. Archived from the original on 4 July 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
  4. ^ "Dawson Selected by Boston Blazers". NLL.com. June 30, 2008. Archived from the original on 15 August 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-29.
  5. ^ "Chicago Shamrox Suspend Operations of Team". Shamrox web site. December 12, 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-12-16. Retrieved 2008-12-13.
  6. ^ "Cosmo Selected First Overall By Boston". NLL.com. December 12, 2008. Archived from the original on April 17, 2009. Retrieved 2008-12-13.
  7. ^ "National Lacrosse League - 2009 Regular Season - Standings". NLL.com. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
  8. ^ "Division Alignment For 2009 Announced". NLL.com. August 19, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-29.
  9. ^ "San Jose Deals Cosmo to Chicago". NLL.com. August 29, 2008. Archived from the original on 9 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-29.
  10. ^ "Knighthawks Name Suggate New Head Coach". NLL.com. September 2, 2008. Archived from the original on 9 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-02.
  11. ^ "Draft Day Blockbuster: Wilson, Wiles Traded". NLL.com. September 7, 2008. Archived from the original on 9 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
  12. ^ "Grant To Miss 2009 Season". NLL.com. September 9, 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
  13. ^ "NLL To Play First-Ever Pro Game In Florida". NLL.com. September 25, 2008. Archived from the original on 27 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-25.
  14. ^ "Gary Gait Traded To Rochester". NLL.com. October 15, 2008. Archived from the original on 16 October 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
  15. ^ "Eliuk Tabbed Jax Assistant Coach". NLL.com. November 11, 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  16. ^ "Dallas Eliuk Announces Retirement". NLL.com. December 9, 2008. Retrieved 2009-12-09.
  17. ^ Tutka, Paul (November 25, 2008). "Rochester Knighthawks GM Regy Thorpe signs playing contract for 2009 NLL season". NLL Insider. Archived from the original on September 8, 2012. Retrieved 2008-11-25.
  18. ^ Chavez, Bob (December 24, 2008). "Knighthawks coach Suggate resigns". NLLInsider.com. Archived from the original on 2008-12-27. Retrieved 2008-12-28.
  19. ^ Chavez, Bob (December 26, 2008). "Knighthawks name Paul Gait coach". NLLInsider.com. Archived from the original on 2008-12-27. Retrieved 2008-12-28.
  20. ^ "Toronto edges New York in thriller, 15-14". NLL.com. January 4, 2009. Archived from the original on 22 January 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-11.
  21. ^ "Jim Jennings resigned as commissioner". NLL.com. January 10, 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-11.
  22. ^ "Wings rally past Knighthawks, 16-13". NLL.com. January 10, 2009. Archived from the original on 24 January 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-11.
  23. ^ "Buffalo wipes the floor with Rochester 23-6". Inside Lacrosse. January 17, 2009. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  24. ^ "Toronto Rock hire new coaching staff". TorontoRock.com. January 20, 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-01-23. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
  25. ^ "Eliuk & Veltman To Enter Hall of Fame". NLL.com. February 10, 2009. Archived from the original on 12 February 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-10.
  26. ^ "Steenhuis has record-setting night". Buffalo News. February 15, 2009. Archived from the original on March 22, 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-16.
  27. ^ "Stealth Make Changes To Coaching Staff". NLL.com. March 20, 2009. Archived from the original on 23 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-20.
  28. ^ "Stealth Clinch Playoff Berth With 11-10 OT Win". NLL.com. April 11, 2009. Archived from the original on 14 April 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-16.
  29. ^ a b "Sanderson & Dawson Set New Assists Record". NLL.com. April 17, 2009. Archived from the original on 17 April 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-22.
  30. ^ "Sanderson Out as Wings GM". NLL.com. April 22, 2009. Archived from the original on 25 April 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-22.
  31. ^ "Mike Kloepfer Resigns from Toronto Rock". TorontoRock.com. April 29, 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-05-03. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
  32. ^ "LumberJax done in Portland, team announces". OregonLive.com. May 4, 2009. Archived from the original on 7 May 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
  33. ^ "Titans Shut Down Bandits 9-3, Advance To Final". NLL.com. May 9, 2009. Archived from the original on 11 May 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
  34. ^ Tutka, Paul (May 19, 2009). "Breaking: Bob Hamley released by Edmonton Rush". NLLInsider.com. Archived from the original on 2009-05-23. Retrieved 2009-05-19.
  35. ^ "Colorado To Host 2009 All-Star Game". NLL.com. September 9, 2008. Archived from the original on 13 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-09.
  36. ^ "East tops West in All-Star Game, 27-21". NLL.com. March 7, 2009. Archived from the original on 12 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
  37. ^ "Dan Dawson Wins Most Valuable Player Award". NLL.com. May 15, 2009. Archived from the original on 18 May 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-19.
  38. ^ a b c d "Defense, Transition & Goaltender Awards". NLL.com. May 11, 2009. Archived from the original on 15 May 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-12.
  39. ^ a b "Dawson Wins Sportsmanship Award". NLL.com. May 5, 2009. Archived from the original on 8 May 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-06.
  40. ^ a b "Cordingley Coach of the Year, Comeau GM". NLL.com. May 7, 2009. Archived from the original on 11 May 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
  41. ^ "John J. Arlotta Named Executive of the Year". NLL.com. May 6, 2009. Archived from the original on 9 May 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-06.
  42. ^ "National Lacrosse League - attendance | Pointstreak Sports Technologies".
  43. ^ "National Lacrosse League - attendance | Pointstreak Sports Technologies".
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