Scoring champion Colin Doyle, leading goal-scorer John Grant, milestone man John Tavares, and rising star "Dangerous" Dan Dawson headline the First Team selections to the National Lacrosse League's annual All-Pro team, announced today.

The four, by virtue of their selection to the First Team, become the de facto finalists for the league's Most Valuable Player award, to be named tomorrow.

Doyle (Toronto Rock) led the NLL with 111 points this season, while Grant (Rochester Knighthawks) scored a league-best 49 goals and Dawson (Arizona Sting) finished a close second with 48 goals.

In the case of Tavares (Buffalo Bandits), it's easy to overlook his 102 points, fourth-best in NLL, but his 2005 campaign will undoubtedly be remembered more for three milestones he set -- in chronological order, 500 assists, 1000 points, and 500 goals.

Tavares is the only player in league history ever to dish out 500 assists; the other two plateaus were previously reached by the Colorado Mammoth's Gary Gait.

The Fantastic Four are joined on the First Team by a pair of automatic selections -- Buffalo netminder Steve Dietrich (Goaltender of the Year) and Rochester defenseman Andrew Turner (Defenseman of the Year).

The Second Team, meanwhile, has no defensemen but does have a significant representation from Toronto. Four members of the Rock made the six-man squad -- forwards Blaine Manning, Josh Sanderson and Jim Veltman, as well as goaltender Bob Watson.

They are joined by Gait and Calgary Roughnecks forward Tracey Kelusky. Gait's selection to the Second Team is actually a significant demotion -- the retiring legend had been a First Teamer every season since 1991.

The All-Pro teams are selected by a vote among the governors, general managers, and head coaches of the ten NLL clubs.

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

Dan Dawson tallied 84 points this season, on 48 goals and 36 assists (led team in all three categories)... led Arizona to its first-ever playoff berth... scored a game-high three goals in the 2005 All Star Game at Calgary... first All-Pro selection.

Steve Dietrich led all goaltenders in save percentage (78.9%) and goals-against average (10.89)... posted a 9-4 record for the Bandits, who went 11-5 overall... selected last week as Aquis Goaltender of the Year.. third All-Pro selection, first on First Team.

Colin Doyle led the league with 111 points... topped the Rock with 42 goals and was second on the team with 69 assists -- which would've set a league record if not for Josh Sanderson's 71... sixth All-Pro selection, second on First Team.

Gary Gait led the Mammoth in goals (33) and points (81), and was second in assists (48)... his point total was good for ninth league-wide... retired at end of season, after fifteen years... fifteenth All-Pro selection, but the first time on the Second Team.

John Grant led the league in goals, 49, and ranked sixth with 56 assists... total of 105 points good for second-place tie (with Blaine Manning) among all players... led NLL with 193 shots on goal and 282 shots overall... fifth All-Pro selection, fourth on First Team.

Tracey Kelusky led the Roughnecks with 45 goals and was third in assists (32)... sixteen power play goals, tied for second in NLL... scored eight goals in Calgary's 20-12 victory over Toronto on 17 April... fifth All-Pro selection, third on Second Team.

Blaine Manning tied John Grant for the NLL's second-best point total this season, 105... third on the Rock in both goals (39) and assists (66)... recorded two game-winning goals in 2005... third All-Pro selection (all on Second Team).

Josh Sanderson broke his own single-season assist record by dishing out 71 helpers this season, and chipped in 31 assists for a total of 102 points... Recovered 112 loose balls, third-best on the Rock... fourth All-Pro selection (all on Second Team).

John Tavares was fourth among all NLL players with 104 points, on 43 goals and 59 assists... recorded his 500th assist, 500th goal and 1000th point this season, extending his own record for career assists... thirteenth All-Pro selection, twelfth on First Team.

Andrew Turner dished out thirteen assists and scooped up 80 loose balls this season... anchored a Knighthawks defense which allowed just 179 goals, fewest allowed in NLL this season... selected last week as Sportsbook.com Defensive Player of the Year... first All-Pro selection.

Jim Veltman scooped up 193 loose balls this season, marking the twelfth time he has led the league in that category... Rock captain scored eight goals and handed out 28 assists... twelfth All-Pro selection, fifth on Second Team.

Bob Watson had a league-best 11-4 record this season, guiding the Rock a 12-4 mark overall, the club's seventh straight first-place finish... recorded 75.7 save percentage and 11.78 goals-against average... fifth All-Pro selection, third on Second Team.