Washington Power forward Paul Gait was named today as the National Lacrosse League's Most Valuable Player for 2001-2002.

Gait, whose final professional game will be the 2002 All-Star Game next weekend, also headlines the roster of twelve NLL stars who were selected to the league's thirteenth annual All-Pro Team.

The selection of a Most Valuable Player and All-Pros, voted on by the NLL's Board of Governors and general managers, concludes a week of award announcements in a wide variety of categories, from the perennial Rookie of the Year award to a just-introduced Sportsmanship Award.

Gait scored a league-leading 54 goals this season for the Power, and, combined with 60 assists, he led the league in points scored (114) as well. His eighteen power play goals and four shorthanded tallies led the Power and were good enough for second and fourth in the league.

With Gait's offensive prowess helping lead the way, Washington finished 9-7 this season, winning the Eastern Division title. After winning a quarterfinal game at Philadelphia, the Power lost a double-overtime semifinal thriller last weekend at Toronto.

In his twelve-year career, Gait won five Player of the Month awards (including two this season) and has been named to eleven All-Pro teams, but this is his first MVP award. Twin brother and Power teammate Gary Gait has won the award five times, 1995-1999, and Buffalo Bandits standout John Tavares has claimed it thrice (1994, 2000, 2001).

The Gait brothers lead the league's First Team All-Pro squad, joined by forwards Josh Sanderson (Albany Attack) and Tracey Kelusky (Montreal Express), defenseman Pat Coyle (Toronto Rock), and goaltender Rob Blasdell (Albany).

The Second Team includes forwards Colin Doyle (Toronto), Chris Gill (Vancouver Ravens), John Grant Jr. (Rochester Knighhawks), Gavin Prout (New York Saints) and John Tavares (Buffalo Bandits), and goaltender Dwight Maetche (Vancouver).

All twelve All-Pros will appear in the All-Star Game, to be held Sunday, 21 April, at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. The game, which begins at 2:00 PM, will be shown live on CNN/Sports Illustrated in the United States and on tape delay on Rogers Sportsnet in Canada.

In alphabetical order, sketches on the All-Pro Team members:

Rob Blasdell led the NLL in wins (13), saves (644) and minutes played (934)... placed second in save percentage (77.50) and third in goals against average... led Albany to first-ever NLL Champion's Cup final (Saturday)... named Goaltender of the Year yesterday... first All-Pro selection.

Pat Coyle led Toronto defense to league-fewest 176 goals allowed this year... regularly drew the assignment of defending the opposition's top forward... scooped up 109 loose balls this season, third-best on Rock... recorded four goals and twelve assists this season... first All-Pro selection.

Colin Doyle posted career bests in goals (47) and points (80) this season, leading all Toronto scorers... fourth on Rock in assists (33), falling four shy of career high for one season... third All-Pro selection (all Second Team).

Gary Gait finished second in points scored this season (111), behind brother Paul... posted 50 goals in a season for third time in career... led Power in assists (61)... twelfth consecutive First-Team All-Pro selection.

Paul Gait led the NLL in points scored this season, his twelfth and final campaign... named Most Valuable Player today (see above)... eleventh All-Pro selection (eight on First Team).

Chris Gill scored 53 goals this season for Vancouver, finishing one short of the league lead... led the Ravens in points scored (90)... named Player of the Month for February... helped lead Ravens to playoff berth in franchise's first season... first All-Pro selection.

John Grant paced Rochester in points scored, 105 (52 goals, 53 assists), finishing third overall... led Knighthawks in goals (52) and assists (53), en route to team's 13-3 record this season... third All-Pro selection (two on First Team).

Tracey Kelusky scored 94 points this season, leading all Montreal scorers and good for sixth-best overall... named Player of the Month for November/December... scored game-winning goal in each of Express' first three victories... first All-Pro selection.

Dwight Maetche anchored a better-than-expected Ravens defense to a 10-6 record and a playoff berth in the franchise's first season... second in NLL in goals against average (11.77) and fourth in league in save percentage (76.97)... first All-Pro selection.

Gavin Prout led all rookies in scoring this season, with 82 points (30 goals, 52 assists)... led Saints in scoring... named Rookie of the Month for February... first-overall pick in August 2001 entry draft... first All-Pro selection.

Josh Sanderson set a new league record for assists in a season (68)... finished fourth in scoring, with 103 points... led Attack in assists and points, and was fourth in goals... second All-Pro selection (first First-Team selection).

John Tavares scored 88 points (42 goals, 46 assists) this season to lead Buffalo's scorers and place eighth leaguewide... led Bandits in power play goals (14) and shorthanded goals (5)... ninth All-Pro selection (eight on First Team).