TORONTO - Rock Forward Blaine Manning was honoured as the National Lacrosse League's (NLL) Overall Player of the Week for the first week of the NLL regular season for his role in the Rock's season opener on Saturday January 3, 2009.
 
The Toronto Rock played their first 2009 season game last weekend in Sunshine, Florida against the New York Titans taking the decision 15-14, breaking a tie with 38 seconds left. The game marked a first as professional lacrosse has never been played in the state of Florida before then.   
 
Along with collecting the win, Manning was named Most Valuable Player of the game for his seven point contribution (five goals and two assists). Manning's final goal came with 38 seconds left in regulation, proving to be the game winner.  
 
The honour is a repeat of last year, as Manning swept the NLL Overall and Offensive Play of the Week nods in the first week of the 2008 season. Manning has spent his seven season career with the Toronto Rock after being traded from the Calgary Roughnecks in 2001. In his 112 regular season games Manning has accumulated 576 points (216 goals, 360 assists) and 576 looseballs.