Jay Jalbert’s performances shed a spotlight on the transition position last season amid the Colorado Mammoth’s successful run to the National Lacrosse League championship. When Jalbert opted not to play this season because of postconcussion symptoms, teammate Josh Sims was put into an expanded role.
Sims’ increased floor time has coincided with exposure for transition players, who were lumped with defensemen in the past. Now, these two-way players are honored weekly by the NLL, with Sims claiming the award the first two weeks of the season.
“It was definitely cool to be the first person to receive the honor,” Sims said. “I wouldn’t expect to win it once or even twice with so many good transition players in the league.”
Further underscoring their unique contributions – from battling for loose balls to starting or finishing breakaways and stopping opposing fastbreaks – the transition position was added to all-star voting this season and Sims was selected as a reserve, securing his first all-star berth in his seventh season in the league.
And with the Lumberjax’s Brodie Merrill out because of an injury, Sims will start Saturday for the West Division at Portland’s Rose Garden.
The Princeton University graduate is surprised by all the attention paid to transition players.
“I never really thought about it a lot,” he said. “I just wanted to play. But when I found out about the award and the all-star berth I was excited.”
Sims leads the Mammoth with 79 loose balls and ranks fourth with 16 goals and fifth with 29 points.
His offensive surge is attributed to the extra floor time in Jalbert’s absence and playing on the second-highest scoring team in the NLL, a squad that has netted 139 goals and a 9-1 record.
“In the past, my goals came on transition,” Sims said. “Now, they can come in short-handed situations, and in transition, and when the offense is settled.”
Footnotes
While commenting on teammate Gavin Prout’s latest accomplishment – team captain of the West Division all-stars – Sims noted Prout’s reputation overlooks his other skills. “He’s seen as a scorer, but I think he’s one of the better all-around players in the league,” Sims said. “And he is a leader.” … Starting forward Dan Carey, defenseman John Gallant, NLL-leading goaltender Gee Nash and coach Gary Gait also will represent Colorado in the All-Star Game. … The game will be televised (tape-delayed) Sunday at 12:30 p.m. on Versus.
