Nll Rookie Report: Week 8

Bob Chavez has released his updated NLL Rookie Report following four Week 8 games in the National Lacrosse League this past weekend. While some of the NLL’s top rookies weren’t a part of the action, more first-year pros continued to come into their own, continuing their development and making an impact for their teams.

“Week 8 of the National Lacrosse had plenty of action to follow, but 4 of our top 5 rookies were off,” Chavez writes. “Some sat because their teams had a bye, others due to being healthy scratches. So while the top of our Rooke Rankings didn’t change all that much, the bottom half saw some movement, especially in Rochester where Joel Matthews continues to provide some solid work in his role as a grinder. So check out our Rookie Report for Week 8 as we get ready for what should be an active upcoming weekend.”

1) Ben McIntosh (Edmonton Rush): The right-handed forward out of Port Coquitlam and the Rush had the weekend off. They’re at home Friday night for a big game against the Toronto Rock, the first-place team in the East Division. McIntosh remains the leading rookie scorer with 29 points (14-15).

6) Joel Matthews (Rochester Knighthawks): The left-handed transition man out of St. Catharines had 1 goal and 2 assists along with 6 loose balls in Saturday’s home win over Buffalo. The Knighthawks improved to 4-0 with Matthews in the lineup as he continues to provide the dirty work necessary to clear space for teammates.

8) Mark Cockerton (New England Black Wolves): The left-handed forward out of Oshawa had his biggest game yet with a goal and 3 assists for 4 points in Sunday’s home loss to Colorado. He also scooped 4 loose balls and has scored 1 goal in all 3 games he’s played for the Black Wolves this season.

9) Conrad Chapman (Vancouver Stealth): The left-handed transition man out of Prince George, B.C., had 1 assist, 4 loose balls and 2 forced turnovers in Saturday’s road loss to Calgary.

10) Mike Burke (Colorado Mammoth): The right-handed forward out of Wasaga Beach, Ontario, made his debut for the Mammoth and had 1 goal and 2 assists in Sunday’s road win over New England. His goal in the second quarter helped douse the momentum of New England, which had outscored Colorado 4-1 in the first part of the quarter.

Rest of the rooks: New England D Sheldon Burns had a solid weekend, putting up 1 assist, scooped 3 loose balls and forced 1 turnover in Sunday’s home loss to Colorado after carding 1 assist, 6 loose balls and 2 forced turnovers in Friday’s road overtime loss to Toronto … New England D Bill O’Brien scooped 1 LB and forced 1 turnover in Sunday’s home loss to Colorado. He had 1 assist, 2 LBs and a forced turnover in Friday’s OT road loss to Toronto … Buffalo F Matthew Bennett made his NLL debut in…

Click here to read the full NLL Rookie Report after Week 8 by Bob Chavez on IL Indoor.