Defensive players rarely win the NLL’s Rookie of the Year Award. In fact, since establishing the year-end honour in 1991, only three defensemen have ever been voted ROTY: Taylor Wray (’04 Calgary), Brodie Merrill (’06 Portland) and Jake Withers (’18 Rochester). That’s three out of 32 ROTYs, the rest all being primarily offensive players. With rookie offensive averages way down from what we’re used to seeing in recent years, does Albany FireWolves defender Will Johansen have a shot? Johansen leads all rookies in loose balls (104 – 2nd on Albany roster) and caused turnovers (14 – 1st for FireWolves), plus leads all rookie defenders in goals (5) and is one of only 13 players in the league this year with two or more short-handed goals. His CT/GP pace could also see Johansen jump into the all-time Top 10 during a rookie season too. He’s easily been one of, if not THE most relied on rookie this year. 📷 @jontenca