Trio of Thunderbirds Players Named to National Lacrosse League Pro Teams
Jun 30, 2020
The National Lacrosse League announced this evening the recipients of the 2019-2020 regular season awards. Graeme Hossack was named to the All Pro First team, Cody Jamieson was named to the All Pro Second team and Clarke Petterson was named to the All Rookie team.
Graeme Hossack, All-Pro First Team
In addition to being named the NLL’s Defensive Player of the Year, Hossack was also named to the All-Pro First team. In just 12 games Hossack tallied 9 goals and 9 assists gathering 107 loose balls and logged a staggering 27:32 minutes of floor time, second only to Kiel Matisz of the Philadelphia Wings.
"I am excited to continue growing the game on the East Coast,” said Hossack. “Playing in front of our Halifax fans in The Nest seems to bring out our best. We had a no quit mentality in each game. This hopefully taught our fans to never leave a game early."
His presence on the floor is noticeable to everyone in the building, running through offensive players with ease, pushing the floor in transition, and scoring goals not typically seen by defensive players.
“Graeme is the best defensive player in this league hands down,” said Head Coach Mike Accursi. “It’s a different level and is only going to get better. His positioning, intelligence and strength cannot be matched.”
“This is a well deserved award for Graeme,” said Styres. “He is the hardest working player in the whole league and every game he gets better. As players are around him, they get better by watching him and seeing his work ethic. In doing so, the guys have to step it up just to keep in the same room as him.”
Cody Jamieson, All-Pro Second Team
When you think of Cody Jamieson, it’s hard not to think of the gritty style of play the NLL veteran brings to the table, and all of the iconic moments in his 10-year career. The backbone of three NLL Championships and the lifeblood of an organization that is fueled on his ability to lead an offense in any scenario, Cody Jamieson has solidified himself into the conversation of one of the best lacrosse players of all-time.
“Individual awards are great and all, but it’s honestly a reflection of our teams’ success,” said Jamieson. “For me personally, our offensive unit. We had a great year with everyone contributing. Everyone on the floor was dangerous and I think that played a huge role in our teams’ success.”
The dynamic forward has accumulated 763 regular season points, 108 of which coming in an MVP season in 2014, capping off an improbable three-peat run. His 85 points in 18 postseason games speak volumes to his ability to show up in big moments, as any Syracuse Orange fan would tell you. His game winning goal in the 2009 NCAA National Championship secured the Orange their 11th title, in one of the most thrilling finishes in championship game history.
“Cody’s leadership is an understatement on our team,” said Accursi. “He leads by example, he says the right things, he does the right things. He’s the guy that in a tight game I know I can tap him on the shoulder and say Cody we need this. With the young team that we have I don’t think our guys could have a better role model for growing the game and playing the game the right way. He’s the guy that I think is a huge important asset for our team.”
The transformation of #88 is much more than just his play on the floor, but in the words and actions in the locker room, the huddle, at practice and on game days. Following the footsteps of his former college teammate and best friend, Sid Smith, Jamieson has embraced and excelled in his leadership role with the franchise. You will be hard-pressed to find a former teammate who would not proclaim the impact that Cody Jamieson has had on any given game and, more importantly on their career.
“This award was well deserved for Cody,” said Styres. “He led the Thunderbirds to the top of the division. I can’t say enough about what he does for the game and for the team itself.”
Clarke Petterson, All-Rookie Team
After being drafted in the first round (fifth overall) in the 2019 Entry Draft, Petterson had a standout rookie season, earning him a spot on the All Rookie team. In just 11 games Petterson tied New York’s, Tyson Gibson, for second place in rookie goals with 16. He finished the season with 38 points, good for fourth overall amongst all rookies. Petterson earned NLL Rookie of the Week honours for his 3+2 performance against the Knighthawks on December 21.
“It feels great to be selected to the All Rookie team,” said Petterson. “I know this never would have been possible without the leadership of my teammates on the Thunderbirds. Players like Cody, Ryan and Stephen make playing offence a lot easier.”
“Petterson is an elite offensive player,” said Accursi. “He’s always been one of the top offensive players in his age group. He went down to Cornell and had an outstanding NCAA career. In Junior A he was always one of the top offensive players so by adding him to our team to our already good right side we just got a whole lot better.”
“He’s one of the players we wanted at the draft, and we got him,” said Styres. “He lived up to the expectations that we have seen of him to help lead the Thunderbirds.”