Peterborough Native Shawn Evans Among Finalists for NLL Hall of Fame Induction
/By Scott Arnold
One of the most accomplished players in National Lacrosse League history could soon add another major achievement to his résumé.
peterborough’s shawn evans is one of the nominees for induction into the nll hall of fame (photo via instagram @evy1588)
Peterborough native Shawn Evans has been named one of 18 nominees for the National Lacrosse League's Hall of Fame Class of 2026. The league announced its nominees this week, with Evans among five offensive players being considered for three induction spots.
the nll will induct three offensive players into their hall of fame this year, with peterborough’s shawn evans among the five nominees in that category (photo via National LAcrosse LEague)
Evans is joined in the offensive player category by Dan Dawson, Jordan Hall, Jeff Shattler and Mark Steenhuis. The defensive player nominees are Sandy Chapman, Billy Dee Smith and Geoff Snider, while the veteran category features Mike Accursi, Jake Bergey, Glenn Clark, Duane Jacobs, Gavin Prout, Brian Voelker and Cam Woods. The media builder nominees are Leif Elsmo, John Gurtler and Craig Rybcznski.
shawn evans started his nll career after being drafted by the Rochester Knighthawks second overall in the 2005 draft (photo via facebook @NLL)
Few players on the ballot can match the numbers Evans put up during his 17-season NLL career.
The former Rochester, Calgary, New England, Buffalo, Halifax and Vancouver star finished with 1,358 regular-season points, the sixth-highest total in league history. His 879 assists rank fifth all-time, while his 479 goals place him as the league's top 10 highest scorer. He also appeared in 270 regular-season games, which ranks as the 10th most ever played in the NLL.
Evans captured an NLL championship with the Rochester Knighthawks in 2007 and was named the league's Most Valuable Player twice, earning the award in 2013 and 2015. His 130-point season in 2015 set a new league record at the time and remains one of the highest single-season totals in NLL history.
Selected second overall by Rochester in the 2005 NLL Draft, Evans quickly established himself as one of the league's most dynamic offensive players. The Peterborough product retired from the NLL following the 2023 season after amassing 1,481 combined regular-season and playoff points.
shawn Evans and his niece christie when he was captain of the new england black wolves (photo via instagram @evy1588)
