2016 NLL season


The 2016 National Lacrosse League season, the 30th in the history of the NLL, began on January 1, 2016, and ended with the Champion's Cup Finals series on June 4, 2016. The Saskatchewan Rush won their 2nd straight title; their first while located in Saskatchewan.

Milestones and events

Pre-season

Scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes; LB = Loose Balls
PlayerTeamGPGAPtsPIMLB
Dhane SmithBuffalo Bandits1872651379111
Shawn EvansNew England Black Wolves17506811839116
Callum CrawfordColorado Mammoth1832831151589
Rob HellyerToronto Rock1845681132388
Rhys DuchVancouver Stealth184863111883
Mark MatthewsSaskatchewan Rush1840691092376
Curtis DicksonCalgary Roughnecks1861461071384
Cody JamiesonRochester Knighthawks18336194083
Dan DawsonRochester Knighthawks184055951262
Randy StaatsGeorgia Swarm183659952284

Leading goaltenders

Note: GP = Games played; Mins = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses: GA = Goals Allowed; SV% = Save Percentage; GAA = Goals against average
PlayerTeamGPMinsWLGASV%GAA
Aaron BoldSaskatchewan Rush1810421251790.76110.30
Dillon WardColorado Mammoth16743731280.79910.33
Nick RoseToronto Rock18719571330.78311.10
Mike PoulinCalgary Roughnecks17591451130.77811.46
Matt VincRochester Knighthawks18890591720.77512.82

Playoffs

*''Overtime''

Division Finals (best of three)

(E1) Buffalo Bandits vs. (E2) New England Black Wolves

Bandits win series 2–0.

(W1) Saskatchewan Rush vs. (W3) Calgary Roughnecks

Rush wins series 2–0.

NLL Finals (best of three)

(E1) Buffalo Bandits vs. (W1) Saskatchewan Rush

Rush wins series 2–0.

Awards

Annual awards

AwardWinnerOther Finalists
Most Valuable PlayerDhane Smith, BuffaloShawn Evans, New England
Mark Matthews, Saskatchewan
Goaltender of the YearEvan Kirk, New EnglandNick Rose, Toronto
Dillon Ward, Colorado
Defensive Player of the YearRyan Dilks, SaskatchewanChris Corbeil, Saskatchewan
Steve Priolo, Buffalo
Transition Player of the YearBrad Self, RochesterJordan MacIntosh, Georgia
Jeremy Thompson, Saskatchewan
Rookie of the YearRandy Staats, GeorgiaWesley Berg, Calgary
Jesse King, Georgia
Sportsmanship AwardBen McIntosh, SaskatchewanKarsen Leung, Calgary
Kiel Matisz, Georgia
GM of the YearSteve Dietrich, BuffaloJohn Arlotta, Georgia
Rich Lisk, New England
Les Bartley AwardGlenn Clark, New EnglandTroy Cordingley, Buffalo
Derek Keenan, Saskatchewan
Executive of the Year AwardLee Genier, SaskatchewanMike French, New England
Scott Loffler, Buffalo
Teammate of the Year AwardMike Poulin, CalgaryJoel McCready, Vancouver
Andrew Watt, Buffalo
Air Canada Wingman of the Year AwardCallum Crawford, ColoradoRob Hellyer, Toronto
Dhane Smith
Tom Borrelli AwardTeddy Jenner, ILIndoor.com

Monthly awards

Awards are presented monthly for the best overall player and best rookie.
MonthOverallRookie
JanuaryDhane Smith- Buffalo BanditsRandy Staats- Georgia Swarm
FebruaryDhane Smith- Buffalo BanditsJesse King- Georgia Swarm
MarchDhane Smith- Buffalo BanditsWesley Berg- Calgary Roughnecks
AprilRob Hellyer- Toronto RockRandy Staats- Georgia Swarm

Stadiums and locations

Buffalo BanditsGeorgia SwarmNew England Black WolvesRochester KnighthawksToronto Rock
KeyBank CenterInfinite Energy ArenaMohegan Sun ArenaBlue Cross ArenaAir Canada Centre
Capacity: 19,070Capacity: 11,355Capacity: 7,700Capacity: 11,200Capacity: 18,819

Calgary RoughnecksColorado MammothSaskatchewan RushVancouver Stealth
Scotiabank SaddledomePepsi CenterSaskTel CentreLangley Events Centre
Capacity: 19,289 Capacity: 18,007Capacity: 15,190Capacity: 5,276