The PLL announced the candidates for the 2022 End of Year Awards Ceremony. The ceremony will take place in Washington D.C. on Friday, September 9th before the semifinal games are played on the next day. The PLL has partnered with TicketMaster to give four lucky fans the opportunity to attend the awards ceremony.
We thought it would be fun to take a look at the 2022 PLL Awards candidates by looking at the blind resumes of each of the candidates for the top nine categories to see who you would pick. We have the names below, but don’t cheat! Al’ of the stats and awards descriptions are courtesy of the PLL website.
Stats were taken from the regular season and do not include the first round of the playoffs.
THE RESUMES
Jim Brown Most Valuable Player
Widely regarded as the best athlete of all time in any sport, Jim Brown dominated in both collegiate and football lacrosse while a student at Syracuse University. A member of the NFL Hall of Fame, the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame, and a three-time NFL Most Valuable Player, Brown’s on-field accomplishments are remarkable. To honor Brown’s career, this award is given to the most valuable player.
| Key Stat 1 | Key Stat 2 | Key Stat 3 | |
| Player 1: | 44 points | 26 goals | 39% Shooting |
| Payer 2: | 35 points | 17 1G – 2 2G | 37% Shooting |
| Player 3: | 70% FO Percentage | 10 points | 83 GBs |
| Player 4: | 58% Saves | 124 Saves | 9.7 Scores Allowed |
Eamon McEneaney Attackman of the Year
Behind the performance of Eamon McEneaney, Cornell Lacrosse won back-to-back NCAA titles in 1976 and 1977, with McEneaney winning Most Outstanding Player for his performance in 1977. For his contributions to the game, McEneaney was elected to the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1992 and the NCAA Silver Anniversary Lacrosse Team in 1995. While serving as a Vice President at Cantor Fitzgerald, McEneaney lost his life during the September 11 attacks while in the World Trade Center. In memory of Eamon McEneaney, this award is given to the best attackman.
| Points | 1G/2G | A | Shooting % | Turnovers | |
| Player 1 | 44 | 26/0 | 18 | 39% | 25 |
| Player 2 | 38 | 22/0 | 16 | 42% | 21 |
| Player 3 | 32 | 21/0 | 11 | 28% | 28 |
| Player 4 | 38 | 16/0 | 22 | 33% | 19 |
| Player 5 | 42 | 19/0 | 23 | 31% | 24 |
Dave Pietramala Defenseman of the Year
Dave Pietramala is regarded as the best defensemen to ever play the game. A National Champion player and coach and a World Champion with the US National Team, Pietramala is one of the most decorated figures in the game. Pietramala additionally holds the distinction of being the only athlete in lacrosse history to be named National Player of the Year and National Coach of the Year.
| CTs | GBs | Points | PIM | |
| Player 1 | 5 | 9 | 0 | .5 |
| Player 2 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 5.5 |
| Player 3 | 11 | 38 | 0 | 4 |
| Player 4 | 11 | 24 | 0 | 1.5 |
George Boiardi Hard Hat Award
A standout performer and four-year starter during his time at Cornell, Boiardi tragically lost his life when he was struck by a ball in the chest during a game in 2004. An inductee to the Cornell University Hall of Fame, Boiardi’s name is synonymous in the lacrosse world with the dedication and selflessness that endeared him to his teammates and family.
| CTs | GBs | Points | PIM | |
| Player 1 | 4 | 19 | 1 | 0 |
| Player 2 | 5 | 19 | 9 | 2 |
| Player 3 | 6 | 21 | 5 | 1.5 |
Brodie Merrill Long-Stick Midfielder of the Year
With unparalleled ability to stop opponents while also making electric plays in the middle and offensive ends of the field, Brodie Merrill revolutionized the long stick midfield position. Merrill was a staple on the Canadian National Team for four terms and a regular All-Star in both the indoor and outdoor game. This award is given to the best long-stick midfielder.
| CTs | GBs | Points | PIM | |
| Player 1 | 10 | 33 | 8 | 1 |
| Player 2 | 6 | 18 | 4 | 1.5 |
| Player 3 | 2 | 29 | 9 | 3 |
Paul Cantabene Faceoff Athlete of the Year
Always known as one of the most intense and hardest working lacrosse players, Paul Cantabene was an All-American during his time at Loyola and a perennial All-Star in both the indoor and outdoor professional game. Nationally known for his durability, toughness and unrelenting will to win, Cantabene remains one of the best lacrosse players of all time. This award is given to the best faceoff athlete.
| Face Off % | Points | GBs | |
| Player 1 | 70 | 10 | 83 |
| Player 2 | 58 | 2 | 90 |
| Player 3 | 65 | 6 | 81 |
Gait Brothers Midfielder of the Year
Through their unparalleled combination of athleticism, stick skills, and lacrosse IQ, brothers Paul and Gary Gait revolutionized the midfield position. Both four-time NCAA All-Americans, NCAA national champions, professional indoor and outdoor champions, Canadian National Team legends, and members of the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame, the Gait brothers were first true superstars of the sport. This award is given to the best midfielder.
| Points | 1G/2G | A | Shooting % | Turnovers | |
| Player 1 | 19 | 11/0 | 8 | 39% | 17 |
| Player 2 | 22 | 12/1 | 8 | 23% | 10 |
| Player 3 | 18 | 18 | 0 | 42% | 15 |
| Player 4 | 35 | 17/2 | 14 | 37% | 23 |
Oren Lyons Goalie of the Year
Chief Oren Lyons attended Syracuse University, where he was an All-American and National Champion while leading the school to an undefeated season. As an active member of the Onondaga reservation, he remains a leading advocate of international indigenous rights for over four decades. This award is given to the best goalie.
| Save % | Saves | Scores Allowed Average | |
| Player 1 | 58% | 124 | 9.7 |
| Player 2 | 54% | 137 | 12.6 |
| Player 3 | 55% | 125 | 11.8 |
Rookie of the Year
This award is given to the most outstanding rookie.
| Points | 1G/2G | A | Shooting % | Turnovers | |
| Player 1 | 34 | 16/1 | 16 | 28% | 18 |
| Player 2 | 23 | 14/0 | 9 | 29% | 31 |
| Player 3 | 38 | 16/0 | 22 | 28% | 33 |
| Player 4 | 35 | 24/0 | 11 | 39% | 7 |
THE CANDIDATES
Here are your 2022 PLL Awards nominees courtesy of the PLL Twitter page. I have also provided my vote, if I had one, for who I believe should win the award. Feel free to @me when I’m wrong.
Jim Brown: Most Valuable Player
Player 1: Lyle Thompson
Player 2: Tom Schreiber
Player 3: Trevor Baptiste
Player 4: Kyle Bernlohr
My Pick: Kyle Bernlohr
Eamon McEneaney Attackman of the Year
Player 1: Lyle Thompson
Player 2: Jeff Teat
Player 3 Matt Rambo
Player 4: Rob Pannell
Player 5: Kieran Mcardle
My Pick: Lyle Thompson
Dave Pietramala Defenseman of the Year
Player 1: Matt Dunn
Player 2: Garrett Epple
Player 3: Graeme Hossack
Player 4: JT Giles-Harris
My Pick: JT Giles-Harris
George Boiardi Hard Hat Award
Player 1: Tyler Warner
Player 2: Danny Logan
Player 3: Ryan Terefenko
My Pick: Danny Logan
Brodie Merrill Long-Stick Midfielder of the Year
Player 1: Michael Ehrhardt
Player 2: Jared Conners
Player 3: CJ Costabile
My Pick: Michael Ehrhardt
Paul Cantabene Faceoff Athlete of the Year
Player 1: Trevor Baptiste
Player 2: Connor Farrell
Player 3: Joe Nardella
My Pick: Trevor Baptiste
Gait Brothers Midfielder of the Year
Player 1: Zach Currier
Player 2: Brad Smith
Player 3: Charlie Bertrand
Player 4: Tom Schreiber
My Pick: Tom Schreiber
Oren Lyons Goalie of the Year
Player 1: Kyle Bernlohr
Player 2: Blaze Riorden
Player 3: Jack Concannon
My Pick: Kyle Bernlohr
Rookie of the Year
Player 1: Chris Gray
Player 2: Asher Nolting
Player 3: Brendan Nichtern
Player 4: Logan Wisnauskas
My Pick: Brendan Nichtern
