by The National Lacrosse League has announced Georgia Swarm forward Randy Staats (Six Nations Mohawk) as the “Air Canada Wingman of the Week” award winner for Week 16 of the 2016 NLL season.
Staats posted a combined 16 points (4G, 12A) in Georgia’s weekend sweep with nine points (2G, 7A) in Friday’s 16-9 home win over the New England Black Wolves and seven points (2G, 5A) in Saturday’s 17-11 road win vs. the Rochester Knighthawks. Staats, who leads all rookies in goals (32), assists (51) and points (83), has helped the Swarm back into the playoff race with three-straight wins for a 7-9 record.
The 23-year-old ranks tied for eighth in overall league scoring, eighth in assists and tied for 15th in goals while his 74 loose balls are 18th-most among NLL forwards. The first-year pro has posted at least two points in all 16 of his games played with 12 multi-goal games and six hat tricks. Staats has recorded four or more points in 12 games this year and is just six points away from tying the NLL single-season rookie scoring record and three assists away from tying the rookie assists mark.
From Six Nations, Ont., Staats played collegiately at Syracuse University and was selected in the first round (6th overall) of the 2015 NLL Draft. Staats was a Tewaaraton Trophy finalist with the Orange in 2014 and was a two-time NJCAA Player of the Year with Onondaga C.C. in 2012 and 2013.
Air Canada is the Official Airline Partner for the NLL. Each week, an NLL player will receive the “Air Canada Wingman of the Week” award based on their performance on the turf with respect to passing prowess and playmaking abilities. The weekly award winners will be entered into the pool of finalists for the “Air Canada Wingman of the Year” award at the end of the season.
Week 1) John Grant, Jr. – Colorado Mammoth
Week 2) Kiel Matisz – Georgia Swarm
Week 3) Callum Crawford – Colorado Mammoth
Week 4) Dhane Smith – Buffalo Bandits
Week 5) Lyle Thompson – Georgia Swarm
Week 6) Logan Schuss – Vancouver Stealth
Week 7) Dhane Smith – Buffalo Bandits
Week 8) Josh Sanderson – Toronto Rock
Week 9) Rob Hellyer – Toronto Rock
Week 10) Callum Crawford – Colorado Mammoth
Week 11) Joe Walters – Rochester Knighthawks
Week 12) Mark Matthews – Saskatchewan Rush
Week 13) Kevin Crowley – New England Black Wolves
Week 14) Ryan Benesch – Buffalo Bandits
Week 15) Shawn Evans – New England Black Wolves
Week 16) Randy Staats – Georgia Swarm
Congratulations Randy! Oyanre!