NLL Top 25: Defense

Defensemen in the NLL may not carry the same level of glamour often associated with glittery forwards or brick wall goaltenders, yet they occupy the very same high level of importance, getting the job done via a combination of grit, brawn and savvy instincts. When the most skilled offensive players in the world are working their magic near the opponent’s net, it is up to this collection of bruisers to flip the switch and create the circumstances that will eventually lead to their team lighting the lamp. As has often been said, offense wins games, but defense wins championships.

5. Eli Salama

Hailing from the Western Canada lacrosse epicenter of Coquitlam, British Columbia, Calgary Roughnecks Eli Salama has been a longtime staple of his team’s back end. The now 28-year-old took off like a rocket during his first season in 2018-2019, serving as an integral member of his organization’s NLL championship run that culminated with a 2-0 series sweep of the Buffalo Bandits. The 6’2, 211 lb. RIT alum’s best season took place in 2022-2023, when he captured 116 loose balls, 38 caused turnovers and 15 blocks. Last season, Salama missed five regular season games due to a lower-body injury but is raring to go for the upcoming campaign. Calgary finished near the top of the league in scoring defense in each of the last two seasons. Salama is now tasked with remaining a calm presence in front of what will likely be a combination of Cam MacLeod and Colby Bowman controlling the crease.

Latrell Harris is the definition of BEAST MODE 💪 pic.twitter.com/JooA2fCkdf

— NLL (@NLL) March 7, 2023

4. Latrell Harris

The Toronto Rock fan favorite has experienced a roller-coaster ride of emotions during the last two seasons. In 2022-2023, Harris earned Defensive Player of the Year status when collecting 108 loose balls, 24 caused turnovers, and 10 blocks. The St. Catharines, Ontario product accompanied his defensive work with unbelievable production on the offensive side of the field, scoring 10 goals, while helping on 20 of his teammates’ tallies. Two years ago, the 12^th pick in the 2016 Draft was omnipresent. Sadly, Harris did not have the opportunity to add even more attributes to his resume, as he missed the entirety of the 2023-2024 season with a torn ACL suffered during the PLL season. Fortunately, the 26 year old is fully recovered and found success during the Rock’s preseason calendar, scoring a transition goal in Toronto’s recent loss to the Saskatchewan Rush. If the star defender is back to lighting the lamp and getting up and down the field in the transition game, the Rock will very possibly contend for a title yet again.

3. Brad Kri

Brad Kri is a ‘bring his lunch pail to work’ type of defender; nothing fancy, just a hard-nosed, old school approach to his craft. Last season, the 6’4, 220 lb. titan garnered 132 loose balls, 36 caused turnovers (including an NLL game-high seven versus the Bandits) and 17 blocks. The Acton, Ontario native has an absolute knack for beating his opponent to a loose ball, safeguarding 127 or more available balls in five of the past six seasons. Back in 2017-2018, Kri established a career high when snagging 135 loose balls. If the league gave out a hustle award, the 32 year old would almost always be among the nominees. The defensive ace began his career with the Vancouver Stealth (would later become the Warriors). After two seasons on Canada’s beautiful Pacific coast, Kri returned home to Ontario, serving as a Rock mainstay dating all the way back to 2016. Like teammates Nick Rose and Challen Rogers, Kri works as a coach at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre (TRAC), located in Oakville.

2. Kyle Rubisch

At 36 years old, Kyle Rubisch boasts one of the most accomplished resumes of any defenseman in NLL history. Three NLL titles (2015, 2016, 2018), four Defensive Player of the Year awards (2012-2015), and six NLL First Team selections (2012-2015, 2019-2020), while spending most of his career on winning teams. Without a shadow of a doubt, the Brampton, Ontario standout will go down as one of the best defenders in the history of lacrosse. The Dowling College alum was originally drafted by the Boston Blazers, before spending 2012-2023 with the Edmonton/Saskatchewan Rush. Like other top defenders in the NLL, Rubisch is a wiz in the area of collecting loose balls, nabbing at least 130 balls in seven different seasons. Rubisch concluded his historic Rush tenure when he was acquired by the San Diego Seals prior to the 2023-2024 season. His first season in the California sun featured 132 loose balls, 36 caused turnovers and 17 blocks. Chasing his fourth NLL title, this time with the perennial contenders from San Diego, Rubisch remains an enormous factor each and every time he goes through the back door.

1. Graeme Hossack

Nicknamed the Cyborg, the Halifax Thunderbirds icon might be the very best defensive player in the history of box lacrosse. Originally drafted with the second overall pick in the 2015 Draft, the Port Perry, Ontario native has absolutely lived up to the hype. An NLL ironman, Hossack has played in every single one of his team’s regular season games throughout the course of his career. Hossack was awarded Defensive Player of the Year in three consecutive years (2018-2020), amid finding his way onto the league’s First Team on four separate instances (2018-2020, 2023). The 32-year-old alum of Lindenwood University is much more than just stats and numbers. Very few players, whether they be teammates or opponents, reap the level of respect Hossack has earned. With this scenario at play, the Thunderbirds smartly locked up their defensive legend to a five-year contract in 2021.