For the second consecutive season, Port Perry’s Graeme Hossack has been named the National Lacrosse League Defensive Player of the Year.
“There are a lot of great defensemen in this league so I am honoured and humbled to be awarded the Defensive Player of the Year again this year,” said Hossack. “It wouldn’t have been possible without the continuous hard work and competitive effort put forth by my teammates throughout the entire year.”
Next season, Hossack will have new home, as the Rochester Knighthawks are on the move to Halifax, where they’ll be known as the Halifax Thunderbirds.
“Halifax is a beautiful place and the fans seem really enthusiastic about professional lacrosse coming to their city,” said Hossack. “I always enjoy new experiences so being a part of this new chapter is really exciting. We have a great group of guys to show what the NLL is all about,” Hossack explained.
This past year, Hossack established new career highs with 8 goals and 16 assists, ranking as the third-highest scoring defender in the league. He ranked fifth with 164 loose balls, and tied for eighth with 25 caused turnovers.
“Graeme was our first round draft pick in 2015,” Thunderbirds Owner and General Manager Curt Styres said in a press release. “We knew he was going to be a top defender in NLL. Graeme is a perfect physical specimen to be a Thunderbird.”
A graduate of Port Perry High School whose family lives on a hobby farm on Scugog Island, Hossack was selected second overall by the Knighthawks in 2015 following an All-American collegiate career with Lindenwood University, in Missouri.
“Hossack has been the best defender in this league for the last few years,” said Head Coach Mike Accursi. “He’s athletic, strong, smart, and tenacious. I don’t even think he’s reached his potential yet. He’s a very smart player and is always looking to get better. There aren’t many defenders in this league that possess all of his assets. I am sure that he will continue to win this award as he continues to grow and mature as a player.”
Image courtesy of Inside Lacrosse