Calgary, AB – The National Lacrosse League announced today that Calgary Roughnecks forward Shawn Evans has won the Most Valuable Player award presented by Reebok for the 2013 NLL season.
Evans, a native of Peterborough, Ontario, captured the league’s scoring title with a career-high 112 points (32 goals, 80 assists) to surpass the franchise record of 104 points set by both Josh Sanderson (2010) and Lewis Ratcliff (2007). His 112-point season was highlighted by his league-leading 80 assists which ranks second all-time in the NLL for assists in a single season and is also a career high. Evans finished the 2013 campaign tied for fifth in the league with 12 power play goals on the league’s top power play unit and tied for 10th overall in goals (32).
“It is a great honour to receive this award as there are so many great players in this league including the other finalists, Garrett Billings and Rhys Duch,” said Evans. “This achievement is a reflection of the great season the Roughnecks had. It’s a privilege to take to the floor with this group of guys and this accomplishment highlights my teammates and their abilities.”
“Shawn had a true MVP season,” said Roughnecks head coach Curt Malawsky. “He made everyone around him better which in turn made the Roughnecks better. His compete level is second to none and was truly contagious within our group. This season, Shawn evolved into a true leader on the floor which had an impact on our rookies and veterans alike. He was our floor general.”
Evans recorded 10 or more points in five games including a 13-point effort against Colorado, the highest single-game point total posted in 2013 and a franchise record. The eight-year veteran, who was named to the NLL All-Pro Team for the second-straight year, also matched a franchise record for most assists in a single game when he added nine assists three times this season. Evans becomes the second player in franchise history to win the MVP award after teammate Jeff Shattler captured the honour in 2011.
“His ability to find the open man while two defenders were draped on him is uncanny,” Malawsky added. “The youth of our game should really take the time to watch this man play. He exemplifies how doing the little things achieves the big things. The Roughnecks family is truly proud of Shawn’s achievements this year and we are excited about his continued contributions to our team.”
The 2013 NLL Season Awards are determined by a vote of the league’s Board of Governors, General Managers and Head Coaches. Toronto Rock forward Garrett Billings was the runner-up for the MVP award for the second-straight year, while Washington Stealth forward Rhys Duch finished third in the voting.
