Albany’s Alex Simmons Wins 2023-24 NLL Rookie of the Year

Albany FireWolves forward Alex Simmons, the National Lacrosse League (@NLL) leader among rookies in goals, assists, and points, was selected as the NLL Rookie of the Year the League announced today in advance of Game 1 of the 2024 NLL Finals presented by AXIA Time starting tonight at MVP Arena in Albany (7 p.m. ET, TSN, TSN+, ESPN+, CW23).

While pacing all NLL rookies in every offensive scoring category (38 goals, 58 assists, and 96 points), Simmons ended the regular season with the second-most points by a rookie in NLL history, and finished second overall in the League with 233 shots on goal.

Simmons and fellow Rookie of the Year finalist Tye Kurtz led Albany’s resurgence from a 3-15 squad last year to two wins away from hoisting the NLL Cup as champions this season.

The NLL All-Rookie team is made up of the six first-year players who garnered the most points in the Rookie of the Year selection process, regardless of position:

2023-24 NLL All-Rookie Team:

• Alex Simmons, forward, Albany FireWolves (Rookie of the Year)

• Owen Grant, transition, Vancouver Warriors

• Callum Jones, defense, New York Riptide

• Tye Kurtz, forward, Albany FireWolves

• Brayden Laity, defense, Vancouver Warriors

• Thomas McConvey, forward, Rochester Knighthawks

Below are the all-time winners of the NLL Rookie of the Year Award:

• 2024 – Alex Simmons, Albany FireWolves

• 2023 – Jonathan Donville, Panther City Lacrosse Club

• 2022 – Jeff Teat, New York Riptide

• 2020 – Tyson Gibson, New York Riptide

• 2019 – Austin Staats, San Diego Seals

• 2018 – Jake Withers, Rochester Knighthawks

• 2017 – Tom Schreiber, Toronto Rock

• 2016 – Randy Staats, Georgia Swarm

• 2015 – Ben McIntosh, Edmonton Rush

• 2014 – Logan Schuss, Minnesota Swarm

• 2013 – Mark Matthews, Edmonton Rush

• 2012 – Adam Jones, Colorado Mammoth

• 2011 – Curtis Dickson, Calgary Roughnecks

• 2010 – Stephan Leblanc, Toronto Rock

• 2009 – Rhys Duch, San Jose Stealth

• 2008 – Craig Point, Minnesota Swarm

• 2007 – Ryan Benesch, Toronto Rock

• 2006 – Brodie Merrill, Portland Lumberjax

• 2005 – Ryan Boyle, San Jose Stealth

• 2004 – Taylor Wray, Calgary Roughnecks

• 2003 – Brian Langtry, Colorado Mammoth

• 2002 – Blaine Manning, Toronto Rock

• 2001 – Tracey Kelusky, Columbus Landsharks

• 2000 – John Grant Jr., Rochester Knighthawks

• 1999 – Jesse Hubbard, Baltimore Thunder

• 1998 – Colin Doyle, Ontario Raiders

• 1997 – Jeff Wilfong, Boston Blazers

• 1996 – Darren Fridge, Boston Blazers

• 1995 – Charlie Lockwood, New York Saints

• 1994 – Tom Marachek – Philadelphia Wings

• 1993 – no award given

• 1992 – Derek Keenan, Buffalo Bandits

• 1991 – Gary Gait, Detroit Turbos

2023-24 NLL Awards announcement schedule and summary:

Monday, May 13

• Executive of the Year – John Catalano, President and Chief Executive Officer, Halifax Thunderbirds

• Tom Borrelli Award (Media Person of the Year) – Adam Levi, NLL.com, Inside Lacrosse

Tuesday, May 14

• Sportsmanship Award – Lyle Thompson, Georgia Swarm

• Teammate of the Year (via NLLPA) – Zack Greer, Las Vegas Desert Dogs

Wednesday, May 15

• Les Bartley Award (Coach of the Year) – Glenn Clark, Albany FireWolves

• General Manager of the Year – Glenn Clark, Albany FireWolves

Thursday, May 16

• Offensive Player of the Year – Josh Byrne, Buffalo Bandits

• Defensive Player of the Year – Ryan Dilks, Vancouver Warriors

• Transition Player of the Year – Jake Withers, Halifax Thunderbirds

• Goaltender of the Year – Nick Rose, Toronto Rock

Friday, May 17

• Most Valuable Player and the 2023-24 All-NLL First and Second Teams

Finalists for each award, announced last week, as well as selection criteria can be found here.