(You can read this story on coloradomammoth.com.)
The National Lacrosse League announced on Wednesday that Dillon Ward has been named a finalist for the 2016 Goaltender of the Year award. The third-year Mammoth netminder led the NLL in save percentage (.800), and his goals-against-average (10.33) was three-hundredths of a point from the top of the leaderboard.
“Dillon had a breakout season and proved that he’s an elite goalie,” said Mammoth president & general manager Steve Govett. “We knew when we drafted him three years ago that he would solidify our back-end for years to come.”
Ward was the selected third-overall in the 2013 NLL Entry Draft. He was named to the NLL All-Rookie Team in 2014. The 25-year-old from Orangeville, Ontario finished the 2016 season with a 7-3 record.
In 2014, Ward was named the Most Valuable Player and top goaltender of the FIL World Lacrosse Championships as he led Team Canada to the gold medal.
Joining Ward as finalists for the NLL’s Goaltender of the Year award are New England’s Evan Kirk (9-4 record / .789 save % / 11.79 GAA) and Toronto’s Nick Rose (5-7 / .783 / 11.10).
The winner of this, and other, NLL season awards will be announced in September.
(Featured image courtesy of coloradomammoth.com.)