CHARLOTTE, N.C.- Former Queens University of Charlotte men’s lacrosse player
Stephan LeBlanc (Restoule, Ontario, Highland) ’09 has been named the National Lacrosse League’s Rookie of the Year. LeBlanc, a member of the Toronto Rock, was also one of four Rock players to be named to the All-NLL team.
Additionally, LeBlanc was named part of the NLL’s All-Rookie team.
In his first season with the Toronto Rock LeBlanc finished the regular season with 82 points, leading all rookies in goals with 36. His 46 assists were second only to teammate Garrett Billings. Toronto's third pick in the 2009 draft, 11th overall, finished in the top 14 league-wide in points (12th), goals (t-6th) and assists (t-14th).
LeBlanc helped the Rock reach the championship game, but they were defeated by the Washington Stealth 15-11. By scoring in the championship game, LeBlanc was the only rookie to score in all 19 NLL games this season.
“I think there was some eyebrows raised when Steph was a first round pick, but I think he proved that was a great move by Toronto," said Head Men's Lacrosse Coach Jim Fritz.. "He really had a great senior year here, really coming into his own, and I think that carried right over into the pro game. I was very happy for Steph and proud of how well he is doing.”
In 2004 former Queens assistant coach Taylor Wray was named the NLL’s Rookie of the Year while playing for the Calgary Roughnecks. Wray is still in the NLL, now with the Philadelphia Wings.