The National Lacrosse League today named Jim Veltman as its Most Valuable Player, making the Toronto Rock captain only the fourth player ever to receive the award.

Since its inception in 1994, Gary Gait has won the Most Valuable Player award six times, John Tavares thrice, and Paul Gait once.

2003   Gary Gait
       Colorado
2002   Paul Gait
       Washington
2001   John Tavares
       Buffalo
2000   John Tavares
       Buffalo
1999   Gary Gait
       Baltimore
1998   Gary Gait
       Baltimore
1997   Gary Gait
       Philadelphia
1996   Gary Gait
       Philadelphia
1995   Gary Gait
       Philadelphia
1994   John Tavares
       Buffalo

Veltman, the first Rock player ever to be named Most Valuable Player, once again led the league in loose balls recovered this season, tallying 179 scoops. The loose ball crown is Veltman's seventh in succession and twelfth in thirteen years.

The only season Veltman didn't have the league's best scoop total, 1997, he was halfway around the world, living in Africa.

However, Veltman's influence extends far beyond collecting loose balls. He set career highs in both assists (53) and points (65), and picked up a Player of the Month award (March) and a pair of Player of the Week trophies.

Veltman was also a starter for the Eastern Division in this year's All Star Game and was selected as a First Team All-Pro yesterday.

Just about the only thing Veltman didn't accomplish this season was get to the Champion's Cup Final, losing to the Buffalo Bandits in the Eastern Final.

Perhaps it was just time to share the stage -- Veltman has appeared in nine championship games, victorious in seven of them (1992, 1993 and 1996 with Buffalo; and 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2003 with the Rock).