Keegan Bal – Vancouver Warriors
Much of the Warriors’ regular season success can be attributed to Keegan Bal’s lacrosse IQ. In his ninth season, the veteran forward led the League in scoring with 124 points while being the only player to rank in the top 5 in all major offensive statistical categories, including goals (45) and assists (79). Bal’s growing confidence has allowed him to start reading plays as well as anyone in the League, which he proved with 47 primary assists (pass to the goal scorer). Additionally, he scooped a career high 106 loose balls, a great number for a forward, and incurred only six penalty minutes the whole season.
Brett Dobson – Georgia Swarm
Dobson had a career year in goal, setting the record for lowest GAA (7.86) and SV% (.847) in League history, but his candidacy for MVP goes beyond the numbers. Dobson truly came into form this season and became the all-pro level goalie, and his performance has certainly been a contributing factor to what has been a successful season for the Swarm, keeping them in the playoff hunt.
Dhane Smith – Buffalo Bandits
Smith looks to become the 3rd player in League history to win 3 MVPs, joining his coach, John Tavares and Gary Gait as the only players to do so. Dhane Smith is no stranger to MVP nominations, as he has been nominated each year since 2022. Smith is 3rd in the League in points scored and T-2nd in assists. Smith averaged 6.6 points per game, which ranked 3rd in the League behind fellow MVP candidate Keegan Bal and Offensive Player of the Year candidate, Andrew Kew.
Keegan Bal – Vancouver Warriors
Bal continues to improve year after year; 2026 was his best season in the League, as he finished T-2 in goals (45) and T-2 for assists (79), accumulating 124 points. This was good enough to notch 6.9 points per game, only sitting behind fellow Offensive player of the year nominee, Andrew Kew, with 7.0. Producing at the level Bal did this season is a remarkable achievement, but doing so while sharing the workload with fellow NLL stars Curtis Dickson and Jesse King makes it all the more impressive.
Andrew Kew – Colorado Mammoth
At one point, Andrew Kew was being talked about as a potential MVP candidate; however, two stints on the IR hampered Kew’s season. Despite missing 6 games, Kew’s offensive production when in the lineup was next to none. He led the League in points per game (7.0) and was T-2 in goals (45), only behind Calgary’s Tanner Cook in goals, despite missing over a month of the season. When in the lineup, Kew was one of the most, if not the most, productive offensive players in the League this season.
Dhane Smith – Buffalo Bandits
Dhane Smith looks to make it back-to-back years winning the Offensive Player of the Year award. Will this be the third year in a row it goes to a Bandit? Josh Byrne won the award in 2024, while Smith took home the honours last season. This season, Smith finished third overall in scoring with 118 Points (39G, 79A), marking the 7th full season in a row in which he has eclipsed 100 points.* Smith managed to rack up 6.6 points per game, which ranked 3rd in the League, after taking the third-most shots in the League with 229.
*Does not include shortened 2020 season or canceled 2021 season
Ryan Dilks – Vancouver Warriors
Dilks is already a two-time DPOY of the year winner (2016, 2024). In his 14th season, he has already cemented his legacy as one of the League’s best defenders, and Dilks proved it yet again with an outstanding season. Dilks anchored a stacked back end in Vancouver, leading by example all season. He helped power a formidable Vancouver penalty killing team, which ranked #1 in PK% at 66% and scored a league-leading 12 short-handed goals. Dilks was top-10 in caused turnovers with 23 and added a dozen blocked shots. In addition, he recorded 11 points, including three transition goals, while scooping 79 loose balls.
Callum Jones – Ottawa Black Bears
It didn’t take long for the 3rd overall pick from the 2023 draft to show why he should already be considered one of the best defenders in the League. Jones is already regarded as one of the strongest men in the League. Jones finished the season T-2 in caused turnovers (32), only behind fellow defensive player of the year nominee, Brad Kri. In addition, Jones finished 3rd in the League in loose balls (173) behind transition player of the year nominee, San Diego’s Zach Currier and Halifax’s faceoff man, Jake Withers. Jones plays a physical yet clean game, only amassing 14 penalty minutes, making life on the opposition difficult all season as he was often a factor on the floor.
Brad Kri – Toronto Rock
Brad Kri is no stranger to this list, having been nominated 3 times in the last 4 years. Kri has matured as a player under Matt Sawyer in Toronto since his arrival in 2016, turning into one of the League’s best stay-at-home defenders and one who works well within a set system. Kri will always take care of his own end first, and this season led the Rock in caused turnovers (33) and blocked shots (13), and was 2nd on the team in loose balls (127). Kri would be the third Rock defender since 2022 to capture the honor (Mitch de Snoo – 2022, Latrell Harris – 2023)
Zach Currier – San Diego Seals
The 2022 and 2023 TPOY is up for the award again after an outstanding season with San Diego. Playing predominantly out the front door this season, Currier ranked T-3 in team scoring with 57 points (22G, 35A). He also finished second in the League with 200 loose balls, marking the 4th time in his 8 seasons played in which he’s scooped at least 200 loose balls. Currier is often regarded as one of the best two-way players in lacrosse, and is looking to cement that legacy by becoming the second player in League history to win 3 TPOY awards (Brodie Merril – 2009, 2010, 2017).
Sam English – Toronto Rock
English was a marvel in his first season, making an impact in every area of the floor. Whether on the offensive end or the defensive end, he seemed to be everywhere at once. English finished seventh in team scoring with 28 points (11G, 17A) over 16 games, an impressive total given the firepower on the Toronto Rock roster, and a reflection of just how valuable he was. Even more remarkable was his work off the ball, as his 132 loose balls led both the Rock and all rookies. English got better as the season went on, averaging 2 points and 10 loose balls per game over his final 9 regular season contests, which is up from 1.4 points and 6 loose balls per game from his first 7 games.
Jordan MacIntosh – Georgia Swarm
After being primarily a defensive player for many seasons, the Swarm captain got back to his true transition roots in 2026. MacIntosh finished sixth on the team in scoring with 32 points (10G, 22A) while being held pointless only twice. He scooped 109 loose balls, blocked 15 shots, and caused 22 turnovers, all while notching only 10 penalty minutes. As noted, in more recent seasons, he’s been more of a defensive-minded player; he once again proved this year that he is a formidable asset on both ends of the floor. MacIntosh looks to add to his trophy case, having previously won TPOY in 2013 and 2014.
Brett Dobson – Georgia Swarm
Since the opening days of the season, Dobson has been a frontrunner for Goaltender of the Year. After a shaky start in week 1 against Buffalo, Dobson did not allow more than 5 goals in a game again until after week 5. He was the glue that held together a retooled Swarm as they worked to find a new identity. Along the way, he had five more games allowing seven goals or fewer, contributing to a league-fewest 156 goals against. Dobson ended the season by making history: a 7.86 GAA and a .847 save percentage. He is the first goaltender ever to finish a season with a sub-8.00 GAA.
Christian Del Bianco – Vancouver Warriors
Dillon Ward – Colorado Mammoth
Ward has been one of the most reliable goaltenders in the NLL since his debut 12 years ago with the Mammoth. This season was no different: he finished with an 11-5 record and his team in second place. Though he ran into some trouble midseason, he was able to rebound quickly. Ward sported a GAA of 10.04 and an .810 save percentage, and the Mammoth gave up the fourth-fewest goals (170) in the League. Of the goalies who played at least 400 minutes this season, Ward had the 4th most saves and the 4th most GSAA (goals saved above average).
Nolan Byrne – Georgia Swarm
Some questioned if age would be a factor in Byrne’s production in year 1, but he quickly proved otherwise. Byrne finished his first NLL season leading all rookies with 36 goals. Combined with 19 assists, he ranked third in overall rookie scoring with a total of 55 points. He was never held without at least one point, averaging 3.1 points per game, and recording two four-goal games and two six-point nights. The Whitby Warrior product quickly proved to be a staple of the Georgia offense.
Michael Grace – Georgia Swarm
Grace is a master of the intangibles; it was evident from his time spent at RIT and Syracuse. He immediately showed he was capable of the demands placed on NLL defenders, with an intelligence that far surpasses his young age. Grace finished fourth in the League (first among rookies) in caused turnovers with 28, third among rookies in loose-balls with 108, while only serving six penalty minutes on the season. While not expected to show up often on the score sheet, Grace was smart with his opportunities in transition, scoring six goals on just 13 overall shots.
CJ Kirst – Toronto Rock
The NCAA champion from Cornell, Tewaaraton award winner, and 2025 number one overall draft pick, fit seamlessly into the NLL in year one. Any reservations about his limited box lacrosse experience were quickly squashed. He was energetic and willing to learn from the jump. Kirst finished the season first in rookie scoring with 71 points and tied for first in Rock scoring with Mark Matthews. He scored 34 goals and tied for first in assists among rookies with 37. In addition, he was fourth among rookies in loose balls with 95, second in caused turnovers with 19, and he only saw the penalty box twice.
Kyle Buchanan – Buffalo Bandits
Buchanan has long been both a fan favorite and a favorite teammate for his work ethic, but not only is he speedy and tenacious, but he also plays the game with grace. Off the floor, he is one of the kindest players in the League. Buchanan saw the penalty box only once this season for an offsetting roughing minor. In the five years he’s been with Buffalo, he’s been penalized only five times, and not at all in 2022. He previously won the Sportsmanship Award in 2015 and 2025.
Ryan Keenan – Saskatchewan Rush
Not only is Ryan Keenan a proficient scorer, but he is also sets a good example while on the floor. In 2026, he took zero penalties despite always having a defender in his way, looking to block him. Keenan also escorts the team’s Kid Captain from Ronald McDonald House to the floor each game, ensuring they are having a memorable experience joining the Rush starting lineup.
Jeff Teat – Ottawa Black Bears
Thanks to his talent, Teat makes lacrosse look effortless. It’s not an effortless game, though; every fan knows the dedication and hard work it takes to win. Teat manages to do it with restraint – this season, he didn’t take one single penalty. He also runs Teat’s Warriors, bringing in youth lacrosse players for behind-the-scenes access, including bench time, Q&A sessions, and on-floor tips.
(Voted on by the Players)
Luc Magnan – Ottawa Black Bears
After bouncing around for a few seasons, Magnan has found a stable home with the Black Bears, where he patrols the defensive end. But Magnan isn’t a one-trick pony – he’s a utility guy, and his teammates count on him for whatever they need.
Robert Hope – Colorado Mammoth
The Mammoth captain will go to the ends of the earth to sacrifice for his teammates. His time or his body, blocking a shot or going into a corner for a ball, he’ll take the bruise. Hope blocked 28 shots this season, fourth in the League, and was fifth in loose balls with 160.
Cam Dunkerley – San Diego Seals
Dunkerley is the ultimate teammate. While he often doesn’t command the spotlight, Dunkerley makes sure his teammates have what they need to be successful on the floor. Dunkerley is always sure to be ready when his name is called, but when in the backup role can often be seen exuding positivity that can be felt by the entire team.
Ed Comeau – Georgia Swarm
In 2026, Comeau was able to morph the Swarm into championship contenders. The 10-year Swarm had a lot of roster turnover from the prior season and featured eight rookies in and out of the lineup. Nobody really knew how the Swarm’s season would go, and in fact, they struggled to score in the early going. Comeau guided the gelling process to create a powerhouse team, which saw a 6-game win streak and won 10 of its last 13 games during the regular season. Comeau is a two-time Coach of the Year winner (2007, 2017), with the Swarm winning the NLL Championship in ’17.
Pat Coyle – Colorado Mammoth
Coyle led his team to a second-place regular season finish despite several blows to the Mammoth offense. Eli McLaughlin was unavailable (due to personal reasons); Ryan Lee was lost early with a season-ending injury, and Andrew Kew was on the IR twice for short stints. Despite all of the changes to the team throughout the year, the Mammoth were one of two teams to finish top-5 in goals per game (11.44) and goals against per game (9.94). Coyle instilled so much confidence in his players that they found another level and never came down. Coyle is the only Finalist this season not to have won previously.
Curt Malawsky – Vancouver Warriors
Malawsky is a player’s coach. Revered by his players for the passion he inspires, the team went to war for him this season, finishing in first place in the regular season with a 13-5 record, which happens to be the Warriors’ best regular season record in the club’s history (previous best: 2025 – 11-7). Malawsky built on last season’s success, adding talent all over the field, including veteran stars Curtis Dickson and Jessie King, to help fortify one of the League’s most well-rounded teams. He previously won the award in 2023 at the helm of the Calgary Roughnecks.
Jamie Dawick – Toronto Rock
Dawick has been set on building the Rock through the draft, and this season, his picks made a massive impact. Five rookies made key differences this season: CJ Kirst (2025 1st overall), Sam English (2024 2nd overall), Owen Hiltz (2025 3rd overall), Hugh Kelleher (2025 20th overall), and Isiah Moran-Weekes (2025 35th overall) helped the Rock to a solid regular season finish and a return to the playoffs. As a bonus, Dawick also drafted Ty English (brother of Sam English) second overall in 2025, and he’ll join the team next year. Dawick has built a strong foundation that will likely only get stronger in the future.
Curt Malawsky – Vancouver Warriors
If you need any more reassurance, go re-read his coach of the year description. As mentioned, Malawsky made his mark as general manager this season when he was able to leverage both his reputation and existing relationships with players to lure them out to the West Coast. He’d already succeeded in bringing over Christian Del Bianco at the trade deadline in 2025 and was able to add veterans Jesse King, Curtis Dickson, and Shane Simpson. The Warriors have an excellent blend of youth and veteran presence, which should make this a dangerous team for years to come.
Brad Self – Colorado Mammoth
Self pulled off a couple of major trades to bolster the Mammoth’s lineup. Preseason, he sent Connor Kelly to the Swarm for Andrew Kew, and then acquired Jack Hannah from Las Vegas for three high draft picks. The Mammoth were in need of offensive assistance after losing Eli McLaughlin (personal reasons), Connor Robinson (trade), and Zed Williams (trade), and the moves proved especially fortuitous when Ryan Lee later went down due to an injury. First as a player, then as general manager, Self has always thought three steps ahead.
