1997 Major Indoor Lacrosse League season


The 1997 season is the 11th season of the league and, is the last as the MILL, began on January 4, 1997, and concluded with the championship game on April 12. The league was renamed to the National Lacrosse League after this season.

Team movement

The Charlotte Cobras, who debuted in the 1996 Major Indoor Lacrosse League season, folded after only a single winless season.

All Star Game

No All-Star Game was played in 1997.

Awards

AwardWinnerTeam
MVP AwardGary GaitPhiladelphia
Rookie of the Year AwardJeff WilfongBoston
Championship Game MVPSteve DietrichRochester

Weekly awards

Each week, a player is awarded "Player of the Week" honours.
WeekPlayer of the Week
1Paul Gait
2Roy Colsey
3Sal LoCascio
4Paul Gait
5Paul Gait
6John Tavares
7Derek Collins
8Thomas Carmean
9Matt Panetta
10Tom Marechek
11Ted Dowling
12Dallas Eliuk

Monthly awards

An award is also given out monthly for the best overall player.
MonthPlayer of the Month
JanPaul Gait
FebDerek Collins
MarTom Marechek

All-Pro Teams

First Team:
Second Team:

Statistics leaders

Bold numbers indicate new single-season records. Italics indicate tied single-season records.
StatPlayerTeamNumber
GoalsGary GaitPhiladelphia40
AssistsGary GaitPhiladelphia32
PointsGary GaitPhiladelphia72
Penalty MinutesTom PhairBuffalo58
Shots on GoalPaul GaitRochester131
Loose BallsJohn TavaresBuffalo104