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Nll Top 50: #2 Shawn Evans

December 15, 2014

Calgary’s high-scoring forward takes home silver on IL Indoor’s countdown

With the start of the National Lacrosse League’s 29th season now just two weeks away, the IL Indoor countdown of the Top 50 Players in the NLL is close to its conclusion with just two spots left. Calgary Roughnecks star forward Shawn Evans, the NLL’s MVP in 2013 who followed it up with an impressive ’14 campaign, was awarded the #2 spot in the rankings. Despite his diminutive stature, “Evvy” puts up a huge game almost every night and has a knack for scoring big goals as one of the game’s elite players.

IL Indoor contributors Bob Chavez, Stephen Stamp and Marty O’Neill collaborated with their own Top 50 lists for a points system that produced the final list. Click the link for the player to read their full analysis on Inside Lacrosse.

2) Shawn Evans – Calgary Roughnecks

“Shawn Evans is what we like to call a gamer. Sure, he may go missing one or two games during the regular season but in every Calgary playoff win, Evans was supplying OT winners or fuel on the offensive fire. Intensity and desire to go to goal are the engine for this dynamo on the Riggers right side. Evans can kill you with inside work or outside dingers but he always wants to take charge and lead his team. Evans has been non-stop since he entered the league as an underage player in 2005 and there seems to be no end in sight for the youngest of the famous Evans lacrosse family.” – Marty O’Neill

“If he’s not the best passer in the league, Evans is on a very short list. He has a remarkable ability to find teammates and get them the ball even when he’s being checked heavily. He can make an accurate pass from any stick and body angle, it seems. With back-to-back 100-point seasons, he has a chance to match Garrett Billings’ feat of being the only players to hit that plateau in three straight years. Evans will also put the ball in the net and he’s one of the best forwards in the league at forcing turnovers. At the core, he’s a competitor who will do whatever it takes to help his team win.” – Stephen Stamp

“Ever thought you’d see the day when Evans had just 8 PIM in an NLL season? That’s a stat that bears attention because he’s just so valuable to a team not only as a producer of points, but as a leader. He’s still got the spark and plays with a ton of passion, but he’s got a better grip on the balance of when to scrum and when to avoid the 5-minute major, or worse. With his shooting, passing, forechecking and playmaking abilities, Evans is the kind of guy you pick first if you’re building a team from scratch.” – Bob Chavez