The National Lacrosse League today named Toronto Rock forward Jim Veltman as the Player of the Month and Calgary Roughnecks defenseman Taylor Wray as the Rookie of the Month for March.

Both are first-time winners of month-end awards.

Veltman led Toronto to a 5-0 record in March, as part of an eight-game winning streak that carried the Rock from worst to first in the Eastern Division.

Veltman, who just finished the regular season with a league-best 179 loose balls (the twelfth time in thirteen years that he has led the league), scored four goals and handed out 24 assists in March, and added 49 scoops.

Wray has become a leading member of the Roughnecks' defense, routinely drawing top opposing players. On 21 March, Wray helped limit the dangerous Gary Gait to just four points in an 11-8 loss to Gait's Colorado Mammoth.

On offense, Wray recorded three goals and two assists in two games in March. During the month, Calgary went 2-1 and helped cement the club's second consecutive playoff berth.

"Taylor is developing into the full package," Roughnecks owner Brad Banister said. "He battles against the best offensive players every game and has really improved our defense. He’s also scoring a goal or two for us in each game. Taylor is going to be a force in this league."

Jim Veltman:
5 March, at Buffalo (W, 13-11): 5 assists, 13 loose balls
12 March, vs. Rochester (W, 13-9): 1 goal, 6 assists, 8 loose balls
13 March, at Philadelphia (W, 12-10): 2 goals, 2 assists, 7 loose balls
26 March, vs. Buffalo (W, 14-11): 1 goal (PP), 4 assists, 12 loose balls
27 March, at Buffalo (W, 15-9): 7 assists, 9 loose balls

Taylor Wray:
13 March, at San Jose (W, 17-14): Did Not Dress
21 March, vs. Colorado (L, 8-11): 1 goal, 8 loose balls
28 March, at Vancouver (W, 19-12): 2 goals (PP), 2 assists, 2 loose balls