Vancouver Stealth defenceman and captain Curtis Hodgson is one of the finalists for the 2015 National Lacrosse League Sportsmanship Award.

The NLL Sportsmanship Award is given out to the player who has deemed to have exemplified a high level of sportsmanship with tremendous play on the field this season.

“It’s an honour to be nominated for the Sportsmanship Award,” Hodgson said. “I’m glad to be a part of a great team and organization and happy to help grow the league and the sport in any way I can.”

Hodgson is the longest serving Stealth player, now in his 11th season in the National Lacrosse League and all with the Stealth organization.

He was the team captain in 2015, registering six penalty minutes to go along with five points (one goal, four assists) and 45 loose balls. T

The 33-year-old veteran defender, has missed only one game over a career spanning 179 games and counting.

Hodgson was recently named the director of the Stealth Lacrosse Academy and its Junior Stealth programs.

The Burnaby native, who played collegiately at Simon Fraser University, was a fourth round (43rd overall) selection in the 2001 NLL Draft.

Hodgson is the Stealth’s all-time regular season leader in games played with 174.

He also has 593 loose balls, which ranks fourth in Stealth franchise history.

Hodgson has played in three National Lacrosse League Champions Cup games, including winning the championship in 2010 with the Stealth.

“Curtis is a prime example of a leader and team player,” Stealth president and general manager Doug Locker said. “He leads on and off the floor with his professionalism and work ethic. Our players as well as the players around the league have the utmost respect for him and all that he has done and continues to do.”

Hodgson is also a full-time teacher at Burnaby’s Byrne Creek Secondary School, where he serves as athletic director and teaches social studies and physical education.

Hodgson joins Rochester Knighthawks transition player Jordan Hall and New England Black Wolves forward Kyle Buchanan as the three finalists for the award.

The 2015 NLL Season Awards are determined by a vote of the league’s board of governors, general managers and head coaches. The winners will be announced at the NLL Season Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 29 in Toronto.

Langley Advance