Rush sharpshooter Matthews named MVP
Coach says NLL scoring leader deserves recognition for consistent excellence
Mark Matthews seemed destined to win the National Lacrosse League’s Most Valuable Player Award on Tuesday.
“He’s been kind of knocking on the door for a few years — he’s been a finalist a few times,” said Rush head coach and general manager Derek Keenan. “He certainly deserved it. He’s our leader on offence.”
Matthews, who was named the NLL’S rookie of the year in 2013, set an NLL record with 84 assists this past season.
He finished with a league-leading and career high 116 points. His MVP season helped propel the Rush to a third league championship in four seasons. He finished among the league’s top 10 in both power play goals and game-winning goals.
It’s the first time the three-time NLL All-pro has won the league’s MVP award.
“It’s an honour to be named the MVP of the league,” said Matthews, who has been away holidaying in Israel.
“I’d like to thank all the guys and the coaching staff for all their help this year. I’d like to thank all the guys on our team. We had a great year and capped it off with a championship. That’s all that matters for our group.”
Robert Church — who finished second in league scoring with a career high 107 points, including 47 goals — was also a finalist for the MVP award.
“I thought it was pretty exciting, too, that Robbie Church was a finalist,” said Keenan. “There were only three finalists. To have two out of three is pretty good. Robert, I’m sure, was in the mix, too, because he had a heck of a season.
“It’s just a credit to our entire offence. They play together and they really don’t care who gets the goals and assists. Mark is the kind of leader of that parade. That’s the way he plays and he’s deserving of that award.”
The NLL will release its 201718 All-pro and All-rookie teams on Wednesday.
We had a great year and capped it off with a championship. That’s all that matters for our group.