Frisco, TX – Hofstra alumnus Josh Byrne of the Chesapeake Bayhawks of Major League Lacrosse was named the 2017 Cascade Lacrosse Major League Lacrosse Rookie of the Year at the MLL's Championship Weekend Awards Dinner Friday night.

Byrne, who was selected by Chesapeake with the 19th pick overall in the 2017 MLL Collegiate Draft, tallied a MLL rookie record of 39 goals and added seven assists in just nine games this season. He shattered the former rookie record of 34 goals set by Kieran McArdle of the Florida Launch in 12 games in 2014. Byrne led the MLL in goals and finished the year tied for 10th in points with 46 in 2017.
 
A native of New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada, Byrne earned numerous college awards in 2017 highlighted by a USILA Division I All-America third team selection and an Inside Lacrosse Division I Media All-America honorable mention and Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year honors. He was also selected to the All-ECAC first team.

Byrne also earned All-CAA first team accolades for the second consecutive season after leading Hofstra and the CAA in goals (41), assists (25) and points (66) while playing in 14 games. Hofstra finished the season with an 11-3 record and ranked 16th in the country. Nationally, he ranked seventh in goals per game, 11th in points per game and 21st in assists per game.