2006 NLL season


The 2006 National Lacrosse League season was the 20th season in the history of the league, which began as the Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League in 1987. The season began on December 30, 2005 and concluded with the championship game on May 13, 2006.
The defending champion Toronto Rock were once again the favourite to win the Champions' Cup, but a slow start plus a dismal performance in the semifinal game against Rochester removed the Rock from contention. The Colorado Mammoth, under first-year head coach Gary Gait, won their first title since winning the first ever title in 1987, as the Baltimore Thunder.
Highly touted Portland rookie Brodie Merrill lived up to his hype, winning both the Defensive Player of the Year and the Rookie of the Year awards. Portland continued its domination of the post-season awards with Derek Keenan, himself a former Rookie of the Year Award winner, winning both the Les Bartley Award for coach of the year and the GM of the Year Award, and owner Angela Batinovich winning the Executive of the Year Award.

Team movement

The season featured the debut of two expansion teams; the Edmonton Rush and the Portland LumberJax, both in the Western Division. Portland beat the expansion team odds and won its division, finishing with an 11–5 record, while Edmonton did not fare so well. The Rush finished the season 1–15, their only win coming at the hands of their provincial rivals, the Calgary Roughnecks.
Before the 2006 season, the Anaheim Storm folded not being able to attract enough fans in their two years in Southern California moving from their original home of New Jersey after the 2003 season where, for two seasons, they were not able to attract enough fans.

Milestones

Regular season

Toronto won the 3-way tiebreaker with Minnesota and Philadelphia

Playoffs

All-Star game

The 2006 All-Star Game was held at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario on February 25, 2006. The West Division defeated the East Division 14–13. The MVP of the game was Lewis Ratcliff of the Calgary Roughnecks, who scored 4 goals, including the game winner. This marked the second straight year that a Roughneck player was All-Star Game MVP, with Tracy Kelusky having won it in 2005.

All-Star teams

Awards

Annual

All-Pro Teams

First Team
Second Team
The NLL gives out awards weekly for the best overall player, best offensive player, best defensive player, and best rookie.
WeekOverallOffensiveDefensiveRookie
1Sean GreenhalghSean GreenhalghMatt RoikSean Greenhalgh
2Jonas DerksJonas DerksChris LevisJeff Zywicki
3Mark SteenhuisMark SteenhuisSteve DietrichShawn Evans
4Nick PattersonJake BergeyDallas EliukBrodie Merrill
5John Grant, Jr.John Grant, Jr.Pat O'TooleBrodie Merrill
6Craig ConnCraig ConnNick PattersonDan Carey
7Chad CulpChad CulpNick PattersonSean Greenhalgh
8John TavaresBrodie MerrillPat CampbellBrodie Merrill
9Aaron WilsonAaron WilsonBob WatsonSean Greenhalgh
10Matt DisherJohn Grant, Jr.Matt DisherShawn Evans
11Sean GreenhalghJohn Grant, Jr.Matt KingJeff Zywicki
12Jay JalbertRyan WardJeff ZywickiJay Jalbert
13Mark SteenhuisMark SteenhuisMatt KingRoger Vyse
Brodie Merrill
14Brodie MerrillJay JalbertSteve DietrichBrodie Merrill
15Colin DoyleColin DoyleDallas EliukSean Greenhalgh
16Dan DawsonDan DawsonSteve DietrichSean Greenhalgh

Monthly awards

Awards are also given out monthly for the best overall player and best rookie.
MonthOverallRookie
JanJohn Grant, Jr.Sean Greenhalgh
FebNick PattersonBrodie Merrill
MarGavin ProutBrodie Merrill

Statistics leaders

Bold numbers indicate new single-season records. Italics indicate tied single-season records.
StatPlayerTeamNumber
GoalsJohn Grant, Jr.Rochester54
AssistsJosh SandersonToronto69
PointsJosh SandersonToronto98
Penalty MinutesRob VanBeekPhiladelphia72
Shots on GoalJohn Grant, Jr.Rochester277
Loose BallsJim VeltmanToronto226
Save PctSteve DietrichBuffalo80.8
GAASteve DietrichBuffalo9.97