Thunderbirds Extend Three-Time NLL Defensive Player Of The Year Graeme Hossack To A Five-Year Contract
Sep 8, 2021
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (September 8, 2021) - The Halifax Thunderbirds today announced they have signed reigning three-time NLL Defensive Player of the Year Graeme Hossack to a five-year contract.
Hossack, 28, becomes the second Thunderbirds player to agree to a massive five-year contract this offseason, joining fellow defenceman Jake Withers in inking such a deal. The signing ensures the Port Perry, Ontario native wears purple and orange through the 2026-27 NLL season.
“To be able to have Graeme signed for the next five years shows his commitment to this organization,” Thunderbirds head coach Mike Accursi said. “He is the best defender in the game, hands down. He leads by example and is cerebral in his approach to his training, preparation and performance. We are thrilled to lock in Hoss for the next five seasons.”
Listed at 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds, Hossack is one of just two players in NLL history to be named the NLL Defensive Player of the Year for three consecutive seasons, joining Saskatchewan Rush defenceman Kyle Rubisch in that prestigious club.
Hossack was selected by the franchise with the second overall pick in the 2015 NLL Entry Draft. The Lindenwood University alum immediately made an impact in his rookie season with five points (2G, 3A), 91 loose balls, and 21 caused turnovers on the way to being named to the 2016 NLL All-Rookie Team.
Hossack continued to pick up steam in his second season, eclipsing all his rookie stats and being named to the 2017 NLL All-Pro Second Team. His trajectory into the upper echelon of NLL defencemen continued, as he was named the NLL Defensive Player of the Year from 2018 to 2020, simultaneously being named to the NLL All-Pro First Teams in each of those seasons.
In 83 regular season games, Hossack has 71 points (32G, 39A), 648 loose balls, and 128 caused turnovers. He has only posted double digits in penalty minutes in a season once (2018-19), as his mean and clean style of dominating defence has only resulted in 42 PIM in his career. Through five postseason contests, the team’s alternate captain has five points (4G, 1A), 50 loose balls, and seven caused turnovers.
“To lock up the league’s all-around best player to a long-term deal shows the team’s commitment to winning,” Thunderbirds captain Cody Jamieson said. “It also shows Hoss’s confidence in this group, that we are a contender not only now, but for years to come.”
In his debut season with Archers LC of the Premier Lacrosse League, Hossack has been nameda finalist for Defensive Player of the Year, furthering ‘The Cyborg’s’ position as one of the world’s best defenseman.
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The Thunderbirds return to Scotiabank Centre for #UnfinishedBusiness on Dec. 4, 2021 to take on the Saskatchewan Rush. Season tickets to watch championship-caliber professional lacrosse in Nova Scotia are on sale at HalifaxThunderbirds.com or by calling or texting 902-334-2333.