Evans Retires from NLL
Legendary Career comes to an end
Shawn Evans has left an indelible mark on the NLL as he retires from the league. He was known as being one of the most competitive and fearless athletes to grace the league. His unwavering mentality has earned him legendary status, as he announces his retirement from the NLL after a successful and hard-fought career spanning 17 seasons.
Evans proved himself on the field. He more than surpassed the hype that came with being the 2nd overall pick in the 2005 NLL Entry Draft. He represented various teams such as the original Rochester Knighthawks, Calgary Roughnecks, New England Black Wolves, Buffalo Bandits, the new Rochester Knighthawks, and the Vancouver Warriors. His impressive playmaking, goal-scoring abilities, and being a great teammate are some of the reasons why he is considered one of the best players in NLL history.
NLL on Twitter: “”Shawn Evans has only ever played lacrosse one way: hard. Having logged as many minutes as he has, there is no reason to keep proving how great of a player he is. We know.”Here’s @AdamLeviNLL’s salute to Evans upon his retirement. 📝: https://t.co/4Rs8IKTiL8 pic.twitter.com/pXrkxj2IlS / Twitter”
“Shawn Evans has only ever played lacrosse one way: hard. Having logged as many minutes as he has, there is no reason to keep proving how great of a player he is. We know.”Here’s @AdamLeviNLL’s salute to Evans upon his retirement. 📝: https://t.co/4Rs8IKTiL8 pic.twitter.com/pXrkxj2IlS
Small but Big
Despite his small stature of 5’8″, Evans never shied away from the game’s physical nature, playing with his heart on his sleeve. His passion for the game and his teammates was contagious, as he fiercely protected his fellow warriors on the floor. Evans epitomized what it means to be a team player, earning him the love of those he played with and the ire of those he played against.
It was a difficult decision for Evans to retire from lacrosse, a game he’s dedicated himself to for 36 years. He’s always been competitive, and his skill made him stand out from other players. He said that announcing his retirement was one of the toughest decisions he’s ever made, but also a relief. He felt like he had accomplished everything he wanted to in the sport, winning at every level.
The Stats
From 2006 to 2023, Evans was considered one of the top players in the league. As a rookie with the original Rochester Knighthawks, he recorded 35+ points and 100+ loose ball recoveries, which only five other players in the league did. Evans continued to improve his skills in unexpected ways, becoming the only forward in NLL history with over 100 caused turnovers and one of two forwards (with John Tavares) to collect more than 1,500 loose balls.
Evans also holds several records: he has the 4th-most points in NLL regular season history (879), the 5th-most NLL regular-season points (1,358), the 5th-most games played in NLL regular season history (270), and the 9th-most goals in NLL regular season history (479).
Distributor
Evans’ relentless effort on the floor is apparent in the statistics, as his primary goal as a forward in the NLL was to score and distribute goals to his teammates. However, Evans was not content with being a part of only certain aspects of the game, as he wanted to contribute in every way possible, which took a physical toll on him, particularly as he aged. Despite this, his almost two decades of service in the NLL is a remarkable accomplishment.
Evans believes that leaving everything on the floor and earning the trust of his teammates and team were the most important things for him as a player. He strived to set an example, give his all, battle on the floor, defend his teammates, and do everything in his power to help his team succeed. Although being a smaller guy made it more challenging for him to endure the physicality of the game, he never let that stop him.
Dominant from the start
At the beginning of his career, Evans played for a dominant Knighthawks team in 2007 that went 14-2, did not lose a game from January 20th to the end of the season, and won the NLL championship against the Arizona Sting on May 12th. He played alongside a group of notable NLL Hall of Famers, which included John Grant Jr., Shawn Williams, Pat O’Toole, Regy Thorpe, and many others, making it an excellent team for a talented and eager forward like Evans to learn from.
Scott Arnold on Twitter: “One of the greatest to ever play the game of lacrosse, Shawn Evans, has officially retired from the @NLL.Shawny made the announcement today on his Facebook page. pic.twitter.com/4D9HF25J7I / Twitter”
One of the greatest to ever play the game of lacrosse, Shawn Evans, has officially retired from the @NLL.Shawny made the announcement today on his Facebook page. pic.twitter.com/4D9HF25J7I
2013-2017 most notable years
Evans proved time and time again that he was one of the best players in NLL history, with his 2013-2017 seasons being the most notable. He spent four seasons with the Calgary Roughnecks from 2012-2015 and was with the New England Black Wolves from 2015-2018. During this period, he achieved 100+ points in each season and won MVP honors in 2013 and 2015. Evans is one of the few players in NLL history to have five or more 100+ point seasons, with no one else having made as many consecutive 100+ point seasons. This period of his career is one that Evans will always cherish, as it was a significant accomplishment and he hoped to inspire other smaller players like himself.
Future in coaching?
Evans will find it challenging to step away from professional lacrosse, but it won’t be too long before he returns to the game. He is currently coaching the Swiss national team and has expressed a desire to remain involved with the NLL in the future.
Despite his love for the game, Evans acknowledges that now is the right time to step away. Throughout his career, he has always played with intensity and is now content with the success he has achieved. It’s time to focus on what matters most – his family.
Pro Lacrosse Talk on Twitter: “After 17 seasons, Shawn Evans has announced his retirement from the @NLL.The 2-time NLL MVP, 2007 NLL Champion and future hall of famer ends his career 4th in assists, 5th in total points, 5th in games played and 9th in goals scored in regular season history. pic.twitter.com/ISuEEl3YRG / Twitter”
After 17 seasons, Shawn Evans has announced his retirement from the @NLL.The 2-time NLL MVP, 2007 NLL Champion and future hall of famer ends his career 4th in assists, 5th in total points, 5th in games played and 9th in goals scored in regular season history. pic.twitter.com/ISuEEl3YRG
Evans’ family of six is growing up quickly, and he doesn’t want to miss any more milestones in their lives. His job in the NLL has caused him to miss many significant moments, but he is determined to be there for his four children and wife.
Family Time for Family Man
“Family right now is the most important,” Evans stated. “I have four kids and a wife. I’ve missed a lot of things and moments in my kids’ lives while I was on the road, so family is the priority.”
Evans is leaving behind a remarkable legacy in the NLL, having played with passion and dedication throughout his 17-year career. He will undoubtedly be inducted into the Hall of Fame, and his contributions to the sport will never be forgotten. Now, he can finally take a break and rest easy, knowing that his accomplishments in the NLL have left a lasting impact.