Vancouver Stealth forward Joel McCready was named the inaugural winner of the National Lacrosse League’s Teammate of the Year award.
He was announced as the winner on Tuesday at the NLL season awards and Hall of Fame ceremony at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre in Oakville, Ont.
“I am just honoured to win this award. To have all the guys that you battle with all the time vote for you and to even think about you that way means a lot to me,” McCready said.
McCready set career highs in goals (30), assists (21) and points (51) in his first season with the Stealth.
“Joel is an absolute team leader. He is a fierce competitor on the floor, but in the room he always has a big smile on his face,” said Stealth head coach Dan Perreault.
“He is very well respected within his teammates, the community, and the entire organization.”
“My family has always been so supportive of me and I can’t thank them enough for all they have done. Lacrosse wise, I owe a lot to my Grandpa and Uncle Pat (McCready), as they were the ones that taught me how to play the game,” McCready said.
“It’s times like this though, when I think about my little daughter Tenley and my wife Jessica. She holds down the fort while I go out and play, so she is a rock star.”