Colorado Mammoth goaltender Gord Nash was named today as the National Lacrosse League's Goaltender of the Year, selected by the league's governors, general managers and head coaches.

Nash led all full-time goaltenders in save percentage (79.0 percent) and goals-against average (10.68) while backstopping the Mammoth to the league's best record, 13-3, and the Western Division regular season championship.

2003   Pat O'Toole
       Rochester K'Hawks
2002   Rob Blasdell
       Albany Attack
2001   Bob Watson
       Toronto Rock

The Ajax, Ontario, native posted an 11-3 record in fourteen games, scooping up 52 loose balls and dishing out thirteen assists.

Nash was the starting goaltender for the Western Division in February's NLL All Star Game, held at Pepsi Center, Nash's home arena. In 31 minutes of action -- the entire first half and a tiny piece of the second -- Nash made sixteen saves on 24 shots, but the Eastern Division won, 19-15.

In other end-of-season awards news, the NLL's Board of Governors has voted unanimously to rename the Head Coach of the Year Award after ailing Toronto Rock coach Les Bartley.

Bartley, who stepped down last fall as general manager and head coach of Rock while battling colon cancer, has a career record of 111-42 and seven league championships in thirteen seasons behind the bench, but, ironically, has never won the award which now bears his name.

"Les has not only been a great coach and general manager, but has been a great mentor for everyone associated with the National Lacrosse League," commissioner Jim Jennings said. "Countless members of our league have sought out Les for advice and guidance, from other coaches and general managers to team governors, and myself included."

"We all pray for a speedy recovery and fully expect to see him coaching again in the NLL in the near future."

The NLL will announce the winner of the first Les Bartley Award tomorrow.