West All-Stars honored for Sportsmanship and Community Service

05/05/2008

Colorado’s Dan Carey was named the 2008 Sportsmanship Award winner, while Edmonton’s Chris McElroy won the league’s Community Service Award.

Carey scored 22 goals and 27 assists in 11 games this season before suffering a season-ending injury. The 26-year-old left-hander has played three seasons for the Mammoth since graduating from Canisius College. He won the NLL Championship with the Mammoth in 2006 and appeared in the 2007 and 2008 NLL All-Star Game.

Carey is admired by both teammates and opponents. In 43 career games, Carey has accumulated only 11 penalty minutes, none in 2008. Carey even apologized to Calgary’s Steve Dietrich after he delivered a shot which knocked out the veteran goalkeeper in the season opener.

McElroy has worked tirelessly towards charitable causes and bringing lacrosse to the forefront in the Edmonton area. The Rush’s team captain worked with a number of charities this year, including the Stollery Children’s Hospital and the St. Valentine’s Day Hair Massacre. He also continually promotes the Rush and the sport of lacrosse at every opportunity.

The 25-year-old defender scooped 101 loose balls in 16 games this season. The four-year veteran has been with the Rush since the team’s inception in 2006.