Mark Steenhuis
Encyclopedia
Mark Steenhuis is a Canadian lacrosse player who plays for the Buffalo Bandits
in the National Lacrosse League
(NLL) and formerly of the Hamilton Nationals of Major League Lacrosse
(MLL).
in 1998. He did not start playing lacrosse until he was 17 years old, when he was introduced to the game by friend and future Buffalo Bandits
teammate, Billy Dee Smith
.
with the Columbus Landsharks
. After the 2002 season, he was traded to the Buffalo Bandits for goalie Ken Montour
. Once in Buffalo, Steenhuis quickly became a fan favorite, due in part to his energetic style of play, goal-scoring ability, and athleticism, but also for his afro
hair and bright orange shoes.
Steenhuis was named MVP of the 2004
, 2007
and 2009
National Lacrosse League All-Star Game
s, becoming the first player in NLL history to be named MVP of multiple All-Star Games. He scored six times in 2004 and 2007 and seven times in 2009. In 2008
, Steenhuis was named the NLL Transition Player of the Year
. and the NLL Championship Game
MVP.
On February 14, 2009, he set the league single-game records for assists (13) and points (17).
lacrosse with the St. Catharines Athletics
, and helped lead the team to a Minto Cup
national championship in 2001.
of Major Series Lacrosse
. During his first season, he recorded 20 goals and 50 points, and shared the "Gene Dopp Memorial Trophy" for Rookie of the Year with Mike Miron
. The next year, Steenhuis had 54 points in 14 games, and was awarded the "Jim Murphy Trophy" for league Most Valuable Player. In 2004, Steenhuis would have a career high of 91 points in just 17 games, averaging 5.3 points per game. Steenhuis played for the St. Regis Indians
in 2008 and 2009 before the team folded. In 2010, Steenhuis was selected 1st overall by the Peterborough Lakers
in the St. Regis dispersal draft.
Buffalo Bandits
The Buffalo Bandits are a team in the National Lacrosse League . They play at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York. The Bandits played in the Major Indoor Lacrosse League from 1992 to 1997, until the MILL turned into the NLL in 1998....
in the National Lacrosse League
National Lacrosse League
The National Lacrosse League is a men's professional indoor lacrosse league in North America. It currently has nine teams; three in Canada and six in the United States. Unlike other lacrosse leagues which play in the summer, the NLL plays its games in the winter and spring. Each year, the playoff...
(NLL) and formerly of the Hamilton Nationals of Major League Lacrosse
Major League Lacrosse
Major League Lacrosse, or MLL, is a professional men's field lacrosse league that is made up of five teams in the United States and one team in Canada.- History :...
(MLL).
Introduction to Lacrosse
Steenhuis graduated from Governor Simcoe Secondary SchoolGovernor Simcoe Secondary School
Governor Simcoe Secondary School named after John Graves Simcoe, is a public high school in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. It is a three-floored school with a theatre attachment. It has an enrollment of about 1100 students....
in 1998. He did not start playing lacrosse until he was 17 years old, when he was introduced to the game by friend and future Buffalo Bandits
Buffalo Bandits
The Buffalo Bandits are a team in the National Lacrosse League . They play at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York. The Bandits played in the Major Indoor Lacrosse League from 1992 to 1997, until the MILL turned into the NLL in 1998....
teammate, Billy Dee Smith
Billy Dee Smith
Billy Dee Smith is a professional lacrosse player who plays for the Buffalo Bandits of the National Lacrosse League and formerly of the Hamilton Nationals of Major League Lacrosse...
.
NLL career
Steenhuis made his NLL debut in 20022002 NLL season
-All Star Game:The 2002 All-Star Game was held on April 21 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, where the North team beat the South 14-10. The MVP was Toronto's Steve Toll, who scored three goals. At the time, this also marked Paul Gait's final professional lacrosse game, as he...
with the Columbus Landsharks
Columbus Landsharks
The Columbus Landsharks were a member of the National Lacrosse League from 2001 until 2003. They were based in Columbus, Ohio. After the 2003 season, the franchise moved to Phoenix, Arizona, becoming the Arizona Sting. This move was based on poor attendance....
. After the 2002 season, he was traded to the Buffalo Bandits for goalie Ken Montour
Ken Montour
Ken Montour is a professional box lacrosse player in the National Lacrosse League with the Buffalo Bandits...
. Once in Buffalo, Steenhuis quickly became a fan favorite, due in part to his energetic style of play, goal-scoring ability, and athleticism, but also for his afro
Afro
Afro, sometimes shortened to fro and also known as a "natural", is a hairstyle worn naturally by people with lengthy kinky hair texture or specifically styled in such a fashion by individuals with naturally curly or straight hair...
hair and bright orange shoes.
Steenhuis was named MVP of the 2004
2004 NLL season
-All Star Game:The 2004 All-Star Game was held at the Pepsi Center in Denver on February 22, 2004. The East division defeated the West 19-15, and Buffalo's Mark Steenhuis was named game MVP.-All-Star teams:-Awards:-Weekly Awards:...
, 2007
2007 NLL season
The Knighthawks had the overall top seed in the playoffs, but were unable to host the Championship game due to a scheduling conflict at the Blue Cross Arena.-Team Movement:...
and 2009
2009 NLL season
-Pre-season:* August 19, 2008: The NLL announced that the Minnesota Swarm would be moving from the East division to the West division, giving the West six teams to the East's seven....
National Lacrosse League All-Star Game
National Lacrosse League All-Star Game
National Lacrosse League All Star Game is a lacrosse game played each year between two teams representing the two divisions of the National Lacrosse League .-1991 :...
s, becoming the first player in NLL history to be named MVP of multiple All-Star Games. He scored six times in 2004 and 2007 and seven times in 2009. In 2008
2008 NLL season
The 2008 National Lacrosse League season, the 22nd in the history of the NLL, began on December 29, 2007 and concluded with the Buffalo Bandits winning the championship game over the Portland LumberJax on May 17, 2008....
, Steenhuis was named the NLL Transition Player of the Year
National Lacrosse League Transition Player of the Year Award
The Transition Player of the Year Award is given annually to the National Lacrosse League player who is chosen as the best transition player. This award debuted after the 2007 NLL season.-Past winners:...
. and the NLL Championship Game
Champion's Cup
The Champion's Cup is the trophy awarded to the playoff winners in the National Lacrosse League.-Winners:-Most Valuable Players:-Champion's Cup appearances:Only currently active teams are listed.-All-time Champion's Cup wins:...
MVP.
On February 14, 2009, he set the league single-game records for assists (13) and points (17).
Junior
After having a surprisingly successful rookie season with the Spartan Warriors in 1999, Steenhuis played two successful years of Jr.AOLA Junior A Lacrosse League
The Ontario Junior A Lacrosse League is a box lacrosse league in Ontario, Canada sanctioned by the Ontario Lacrosse Association. The playoff champion moves on to compete for the National Championship—the Minto Cup.-The teams:-Playoff Champions:...
lacrosse with the St. Catharines Athletics
St. Catharines Athletics Jr. A
The St. Catharines Athletics are a Junior "A" box lacrosse team from St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. The Athletics play in the OLA Junior A Lacrosse League.-Minto Cup Championships:...
, and helped lead the team to a Minto Cup
Minto Cup
The Minto Cup is awarded annually to the champion junior men's lacrosse team of Canada.It was donated in 1901 by the Governor-General, Lord Minto, and from 1901 until 1909 awarded to the senior men's champion of Canada...
national championship in 2001.
Senior
Steenhuis began his senior career with the St. Catharines AthleticsSt. Catharines Athletics (MSL)
The St. Catharines Athletics are a defunct Senior "A" box lacrosse team from St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.-Championships:***...
of Major Series Lacrosse
Major Series Lacrosse
Major Series Lacrosse is a Senior A box lacrosse league based out of Ontario, Canada sanctioned by the Ontario Lacrosse Association. Most of the players in the league play or have played in the National Lacrosse League. Each year, the playoff teams battle for the right to compete against the...
. During his first season, he recorded 20 goals and 50 points, and shared the "Gene Dopp Memorial Trophy" for Rookie of the Year with Mike Miron
Mike Miron
Mike Miron is a former professional box lacrosse goaltender. In the National Lacrosse League he was a member of the Rochester Knighthawks, Arizona Sting, and the Columbus Landsharks.- References :...
. The next year, Steenhuis had 54 points in 14 games, and was awarded the "Jim Murphy Trophy" for league Most Valuable Player. In 2004, Steenhuis would have a career high of 91 points in just 17 games, averaging 5.3 points per game. Steenhuis played for the St. Regis Indians
St. Regis Indians
The St. Regis Indians are a former Senior "A" box lacrosse team from St. Regis Mohawk Reservation, New York on Akwesasne island. The Indians played in the Major Series Lacrosse Senior "A" Lacrosse League from 1998 to 2009. From 1998 to 2005, the team was known as the Akwesasne Thunder.-External...
in 2008 and 2009 before the team folded. In 2010, Steenhuis was selected 1st overall by the Peterborough Lakers
Peterborough Lakers (MSL)
The Peterborough Lakers are Senior "A" box lacrosse team from Peterborough, Ontario. They play in the Major Series Lacrosse league where under the current format, they compete in 20 regular season games from May through July and playoffs beginning in August and ending with the Mann Cup in September...
in the St. Regis dispersal draft.
Trivia
- The song Brick HouseBrick House (song)"Brick House" is a funk song from the Commodores' 1977 album Commodores and is one of their most popular songs. The single peaked at #5 in the U.S. and #32 in the UK pop charts.-Creation and recording:...
is always heard (in recent years) when he scores a home goal for the Bandits.
NLL
| Regular Season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | LB | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | LB | PIM | ||
| 2002 | Columbus | 12 | 11 | 19 | 30 | 85 | 11 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | ||
| 2003 | Buffalo | 15 | 16 | 17 | 33 | 128 | 35 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 24 | 2 | ||
| 2004 | Buffalo | 16 | 27 | 17 | 44 | 129 | 20 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 36 | 2 | ||
| 2005 | Buffalo | 16 | 34 | 28 | 62 | 141 | 23 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 0 | ||
| 2006 | Buffalo | 15 | 34 | 23 | 57 | 144 | 22 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 17 | 0 | ||
| 2007 | Buffalo | 15 | 25 | 24 | 49 | 108 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 2 | ||
| 2008 | Buffalo | 15 | 34 | 41 | 75 | 121 | 27 | 3 | 12 | 5 | 17 | 23 | 6 | ||
| 2009 | Buffalo | 16 | 51 | 50 | 101 | 117 | 24 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 2 | ||
| NLL Totals | 120 | 232 | 219 | 451 | 973 | 166 | 16 | 36 | 17 | 53 | 126 | 14 | |||
OLA
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1999 | Spartan Warriors | OLA Jr.B OLA Junior B Lacrosse League The Ontario Junior B Lacrosse League is a box lacrosse league sanctioned by the Ontario Lacrosse Association in Ontario, Canada.-History:The Junior "B" level of the Ontario Lacrosse Association has been around since at least 1964... |
21 | 11 | 15 | 26 | 20 | 11 | 9 | 3 | 12 | 25 | ||
| 1999 | St. Catharines Athletics St. Catharines Athletics Jr. A The St. Catharines Athletics are a Junior "A" box lacrosse team from St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. The Athletics play in the OLA Junior A Lacrosse League.-Minto Cup Championships:... |
OLA Jr.A OLA Junior A Lacrosse League The Ontario Junior A Lacrosse League is a box lacrosse league in Ontario, Canada sanctioned by the Ontario Lacrosse Association. The playoff champion moves on to compete for the National Championship—the Minto Cup.-The teams:-Playoff Champions:... |
4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 12 | ||
| 2000 | St. Catharines Athletics | OLA Jr.A | 17 | 22 | 19 | 41 | 14 | 15 | 9 | 12 | 21 | 18 | ||
| 2001 | St. Catharines Athletics | OLA Jr.A | 18 | 18 | 21 | 39 | 35 | 13 | 9 | 20 | 29 | 18 | ||
| Minto Cup Minto Cup The Minto Cup is awarded annually to the champion junior men's lacrosse team of Canada.It was donated in 1901 by the Governor-General, Lord Minto, and from 1901 until 1909 awarded to the senior men's champion of Canada... |
St. Catharines Athletics | CLA Canadian Lacrosse Association The Canadian Lacrosse Association , founded in 1867, is the governing body of lacrosse in Canada. It conducts national junior and senior championship tournaments for men and women in both field and box lacrosse... |
-- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 6 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 4 | ||
| 2002 | St. Catharines Athletics St. Catharines Athletics (MSL) The St. Catharines Athletics are a defunct Senior "A" box lacrosse team from St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.-Championships:***... |
MSL Major Series Lacrosse Major Series Lacrosse is a Senior A box lacrosse league based out of Ontario, Canada sanctioned by the Ontario Lacrosse Association. Most of the players in the league play or have played in the National Lacrosse League. Each year, the playoff teams battle for the right to compete against the... |
19 | 20 | 30 | 50 | 24 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 15 | ||
| 2003 | St. Catharines Athletics | MSL | 14 | 36 | 18 | 54 | 34 | 10 | 29 | 19 | 48 | 12 | ||
| 2004 | St. Catharines Athletics | MSL | 17 | 42 | 49 | 91 | 70 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 6 | ||
| 2005 | Barrie Lakeshores Barrie Lakeshores The Barrie Lakeshores were a Senior "A" box lacrosse team from Barrie, Ontario. The Lakeshores played in the Major Series Lacrosse Senior "A" Lacrosse League.-History:... |
MSL | 16 | 32 | 38 | 70 | 57 | 9 | 17 | 19 | 36 | 27 | ||
| 2006 | Barrie Lakeshores | MSL | 16 | 18 | 22 | 40 | 8 | 10 | 15 | 19 | 34 | 37 | ||
| 2007 | Barrie Lakeshores | MSL | 16 | 30 | 50 | 80 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 10 | ||
| 2008 | St. Regis Indians St. Regis Indians The St. Regis Indians are a former Senior "A" box lacrosse team from St. Regis Mohawk Reservation, New York on Akwesasne island. The Indians played in the Major Series Lacrosse Senior "A" Lacrosse League from 1998 to 2009. From 1998 to 2005, the team was known as the Akwesasne Thunder.-External... |
MSL | 15 | 34 | 48 | 82 | 16 | 9 | 20 | 20 | 40 | 20 | ||
| 2009 | St. Regis Indians | MSL | 10 | 20 | 22 | 42 | 18 | 8 | 22 | 22 | 44 | 12 | ||
| Junior A Totals | 39 | 40 | 40 | 80 | 49 | 34 | 18 | 34 | 52 | 48 | ||||
| Junior B Totals | 21 | 11 | 15 | 26 | 20 | 11 | 9 | 3 | 12 | 25 | ||||
| Minto Cup Totals | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 6 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 4 | ||||
| Senior A Totals | 123 | 185 | 288 | 473 | 280 | 57 | 118 | 111 | 229 | 139 | ||||