Rochester Knighthawks (1995–2019)

The Rochester Knighthawks (also known as the K-Hawks) were a professional box lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League. They played in Rochester, New York at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial. The Knighthawks were previously members of the Major Indoor Lacrosse League from 1995 to 1997. They were members of the NLL since the league's inaugural 1998 season.

Rochester Knighthawks

Founded	1995
Folded	2019
League	National Lacrosse League
Division	Eastern
Based in	Rochester, New York
Arena	Blue Cross Arena
Colors	Purple,Teal
Championships	(5) 1997, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014
Division titles	(10) 1995, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018

The Knighthawks reached the playoffs in each of their first 13 seasons, from 1995 to 2007. This is a league record going back to the league's original creation, the Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League. The previous record was 11 straight years, held by the Philadelphia Wings. They were also the first NLL team to win three consecutive championships (2012–14).

The new Knighthawks are owned by Pegula Sports and Entertainment who purchased the intellectual property of the team from former owner Curt Styres who moved the previous version of the team to Halifax, Nova Scotia as the Halifax Thunderbirds at the end of the 2018-2019 season. As an expansion team they are not a continuation of the previous Knighthawks.[1] All records and championships were transferred to Halifax.[2]

History

The Rochester Knighthawks found success throughout their history despite playing in a small market.

In their inaugural season they finished 3rd during the regular season and dispatched the Boston Blazers in the playoff semifinals to get to the finals as an expansion team. As they would do three times later on, they found themselves coming up just short in the championship game, falling in overtime to the Philadelphia Wings.

Just two seasons later, the Knighthawks would find their way to the top of the MILL heap, claiming the final North American Cup before the merger with the National Lacrosse League prior to the 1998 season. It would be ten years before the Knighthawks claimed their second title. They beat the Arizona Sting in the 2007 Championship by a score of 13-11. In 2012, the Knighthawks defeated the Edmonton Rush for the Championship by a score of 9-6. In 2013, the Knighthawks became the first team in the league to clinch back-to-back championship titles since the Toronto Rock in 2002 and 2003 by defeating the Washington Stealth 11-10. In 2014, the Knighthawks set a new league record by winning their third straight championship title.

2007 season

After starting the season with a record of 2-2, the Knighthawks beat the Toronto Rock 19-15 in Toronto, where they had only won twice before in team history. The Knighthawks followed this victory up with 11 more, finishing the season with a franchise-record 12 regular-season-game winning streak and a 14-2 record. The Knighthawks were a perfect 8-0 at home, becoming the first team since the 2003 Bandits to post a perfect record at home.[3] The winning streak was extended to 13 games after they defeated the Rock 10-6 in the division semi-finals;[4] and to 14 after beating the Bandits in overtime, 14-13, for the East Division title.[5] After the season, head coach Ed Comeau was named the 2007 Les Bartley Award winner.[6]

Despite having the best overall record, they could not host the championship game due to a scheduling conflict with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus at the Blue Cross Arena.[7] Playing the game instead in Arizona, the Knighthawks defeated the Arizona Sting 13-11 on May 12, 2007, to win their first NLL championship. John Grant, Jr., regular-season league MVP, was named MVP of the game.

The winning streak continued during the 2008 season, as the Knighthawks defeated the Buffalo Bandits in the opening game on January 11, 2008.[8] However, the next night in Rochester, the streak was halted at 16 games as they were defeated by the Bandits 14-9.[9]

Lease issue

During the 2007 season, a dispute over concession revenues between owner Steve Donner and the Sports Management Group, then operators of the Blue Cross Arena, jeopardized the continued play of the Knighthawks in Rochester. Donner claimed that the Knighthawks and the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League had lost over $500,000 the previous two seasons, and without concession revenue sharing, he would be unable to continue to operate the teams in Rochester. An agreement was reached between the Amerks/Knighthawks SMG, and the City of Rochester on a one-year lease extension on May 11, 2007 that would allow for long-term negotiations to continue through both teams' 2008 season. Under the extension, the Amerks/Knighthawks agreed to an independent audit of their finances and the city agreed to forgo additional luxury suite revenue from the arena and to loan the Amerks an additional $100,000, added on to a $500,000 loan that is now past-due. On June 16, 2008 the Knighthawks and Americans announced a new five-year lease with the Blue Cross Arena.

Curt Styres era

On May 28, 2008 the National Lacrosse League's Board of Governors approved the sale of a majority stake of the Knighthawks to the President of Arrow Express Sports Curt Styres at a price of $5,575,000, the highest price paid for a team in league history. The league's approval was conditional upon whether or not the Knighthawks and Sports Management Group could secure a new lease for play at the Blue Cross Arena.[10] Styres had also recently been approved by the American Hockey League to purchase the Americans. On June 16, 2008 the Knighthawks and Americans announced a new five-year lease with the Blue Cross Arena.[11]

In June 2011, the Americans and Knighthawks were split up when Terrence Pegula purchased the Americans. The split was necessary at the time due to Pegula owning the Buffalo Bandits. This is a rule that would later be changed.

Original team relocation and replacement

On September 13, 2018, Styres announced that he would be accepting a new team in Halifax, Nova Scotia and would be relocating the Knighthawks' to the city for the winter 2019–2020 season. The Knighthawks intellectual property was sold to Terry and Kim Pegula (the latter of whom was raised in the Rochester suburbs) along with an expansion franchise to ensure Rochester's uninterrupted presence in the league.[12] The original name was used, but the color scheme and logo changed. The team logo, colors, and other officials were announced on May 29, 2019 in an event at Blue Cross Arena.[13] The new franchise does not count as a continuation of the previous franchise. All championships and records were transferred to Halifax.

Awards and honors

Year	Player	Award
1997	Steve Dietrich	Championship Cup MVP
2000	John Grant, Jr.	Rookie of the Year
2003	Pat O'Toole	Goaltender of the Year
2004	Paul Day	Les Bartley Award
2005	Andrew Turner	Defensive Player of the Year
2007	John Grant, Jr.	Most Valuable Player[14]
	Ed Comeau	Les Bartley Award[6]
	Steve Toll	Transition Player of the Year[15]
	John Grant, Jr.	Champion's Cup MVP[16]
2010	Shawn Williams	Sportsmanship Award[17]
2011	Matt Vinc	Goaltender of the Year[18]
	Pat McCready	Defensive Player of the Year[18]
	Jordan Hall	Sportsmanship Award[19]
	Curt Styres	GM of the Year[20]
	Mike Hasen	Les Bartley Award[20]
	Curt Styres	Executive of the Year Award[21]
2012	Johnny Powless	Sportsmanship Award[22]
	Cody Jamieson	Champion's Cup MVP
2013	Matt Vinc	Goaltender of the Year
	Cody Jamieson	Champion's Cup MVP
2014	Dan Dawson	Champion's Cup MVP
2015	Matt Vinc	Goaltender of the Year

NLL Hall of Fame members

• Gary Gait, 2009–2011 (class of 2006)
• Paul Gait, 1995–1997 (class of 2006)
• Steve Dietrich, 1995–2001 (class of 2012)
• Pat O'Toole 1999–2010 (class of 2013)

Final roster

Rochester Knighthawks roster
Active (21-man) roster				Inactive roster		Coaches
Goaltenders 76 Warren Hill 55 Angus Goodleaf Defensemen 25 James Barclay 37 Scott Campbell (C)  2 Paul Dawson (A) 12 Oran Horn  4 Graeme Hossack (A) 29 Ian Llord 45 Luc Magnan 73 Leland Powless  9 Darryl Robertson 20 Luke Van Schepen 21 Eric Shewell 18 Jake Withers		Forwards  3 Eric Fannell 47 Kyle Jackson 88 Cody Jamieson (A) 77 Quinn Powless 15 Joe Resetarits 96 Dylan Riley 14 Pat Saunders 11 Austin Shanks 23 Cory Vitarelli Transition 10 Brad Gillies		Practice Squad  7 Cam Milligan Injured Reserve 79 Sid Smith Unable to play 13 Brandon Robinson		Head Coach Mike Hasen Assistant Coaches Marshall Abrams Jason Johnson Pat O'Toole Mike Accursi Stephen Lobsinger Legend * Suspended list (C) Captain (A) Alternate captain Roster updated 2019-01-18 NLL Transactions

All-time record

Season	Division	W–L	Finish	Home	Road	GF	GA	Coach	Playoffs
1995		4–4	3rd	3–1	1–3	97	94	Barry Powless	lost final
1996		6–4	4th	4–1	2–3	148	137	Barry Powless	lost semi-final
1997		5–5	4th	2–3	3–2	156	135	Barry Powless	Champions
1998		6–6	3rd	3–3	3–3	168	156	Paul Day	lost semi-final
1999		8–4	3rd	4–2	4–2	169	160	Paul Day	lost final
2000		8–4	3rd	5–1	3–3	187	149	Paul Day	lost final
2001		10–4	3rd	6–1	4–3	198	159	Paul Day	lost semi-final
2002	Central	13–3	2nd	8–0	5–3	261	202	Paul Day	lost division final
2003	Central	12–4	1st	6–2	6–2	214	173	Paul Day	lost final
2004	Eastern	8–8	2nd	6–2	2–6	173	186	Paul Day	lost division semi-final
2005	Eastern	10–6	3rd	5–3	5–3	193	179	Paul Day	lost division final
2006	Eastern	9–7	2nd	6–2	3–5	196	180	Ed Comeau	lost division final
2007	Eastern	14–2	1st	8–0	6–2	249	194	Ed Comeau	Champions
2008	Eastern	8–8	5th	4–4	4–4	197	171	Ed Comeau	did not qualify
2009	Eastern	7–9	4th	6–2	1–7	169	197	Paul Gait	lost division semi-final
2010	Eastern	7–9	5th	4–4	3–5	155	181	Paul Gait	did not qualify
2011	Eastern	10–6	3rd	4–4	6–2	176	159	Mike Hasen	lost division semi-final
2012	Eastern	7–9	2nd	5–3	2–6	191	197	Mike Hasen	Champions
2013	Eastern	8–8	2nd	3–5	5–3	179	165	Mike Hasen	Champions
2014	Eastern	14–4	1st	8–1	6–3	210	167	Mike Hasen	Champions
2015	Eastern	12–6	2nd	7–2	5–4	205	173	Mike Hasen	lost division final
2016	Eastern	7–11	4th	3–6	4–5	200	215	Mike Hasen	did not qualify
2017	Eastern	7–11	4th	4–5	3–6	175	209	Mike Hasen	did not qualify
2018	Eastern	10-8	2nd	5–4	5–4	236	210	Mike Hasen	lost final
2019	Eastern	6-12	5th	4-5	2-7	212	226	Mike Hasen	did not qualify
Total	24 seasons	208–144		118–58	90–86	4,402	4,048
Playoff Totals	20 Appearances	27–19		17–3	10–16	499	492		5 championships

Playoff results

Season	Game	Visiting	Home
1995	Semifinals	Buffalo 8	Rochester 10
	Championship	Rochester 14	Philadelphia 15 (OT)
1996	Semifinals	Rochester 10	Buffalo 18
1997	Semifinals	Rochester 15	Philadelphia 13
	Championship	Rochester 15	Buffalo 12
1998	Semifinals	Rochester 14	Baltimore 15
1999	Semifinals	Rochester 14	Baltimore 12
	Championship	Rochester 10	Toronto 13
2000	Semifinals	Rochester 15	Buffalo 11
	Championship	Rochester 13	Toronto 14
2001	Semifinals	Rochester 11	Philadelphia 12
2002	Quarterfinals	Vancouver 10	Rochester 11
	Semifinals	Rochester 10	Albany 14
2003	Semifinals	Buffalo 13	Rochester 16
	Championship	Toronto 8	Rochester 6
2004	Division Semifinals	Buffalo 13	Rochester 9
2005	Division Semifinals	Rochester 17	Buffalo 16
	Division Finals	Rochester 10	Toronto 12
2006	Division Semifinals	Rochester 16	Toronto 8
	Division Finals	Buffalo 15	Rochester 10
2007	Division Semifinals	Toronto 6	Rochester 10
	Division Finals	Buffalo 13	Rochester 14 (OT)
	Championship*	Rochester 13	Arizona 11
2008	missed playoffs
2009	Division Semifinals	Rochester 10	New York 11 (OT)
2010	missed playoffs
2011	Division Semifinals	Rochester 6	Toronto 13
2012	Division Semifinals	Philadelphia 13	Rochester 14
	Division Finals	Rochester 17	Toronto 13
	Championship	Edmonton 6	Rochester 9
2013	Division Semifinals	Philadelphia 8	Rochester 10
	Division Finals	Minnesota 10	Rochester 12
	Championship	Rochester 11	Washington 10
2014	Division Finals	Rochester 8	Buffalo 12
		Buffalo 8	Rochester 13
		Buffalo 1	Rochester 2 (OT)
	Championship	Rochester 7	Calgary 10
		Calgary 10	Rochester 16
		Calgary 2	Rochester 3
2015	Division Semifinals	Rochester 14	Buffalo 11
	Division Finals	Toronto (2)	Rochester (1)
2016	missed playoffs
2017	missed playoffs
2018	Division Semifinals	New England 11	Rochester 15
	Division Finals	Rochester 9	Georgia 8
	Championship	Rochester 9	Saskatchewan 16
		Saskatchewan 8	Rochester 13
		Rochester 10	Saskatchewan 15
2019	missed playoffs

*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.

Head coaching history

#	Name	Term	Regular Season				Playoffs
			GC	W	L	W%	GC	W	L	W%
1	Barry Powless	1995—1997	28	15	13	.536	5	3	2	.600
2	Paul Day	1998—2005	114	75	39	.658	13	5	8	.385
3	Ed Comeau	2006—2008	48	31	17	.646	5	4	1	.800
4	Paul Suggate	2009	Resigned prior to season
5	Paul Gait	2009—2010	16	7	9	.438	1	0	1	.000
6	Mike Hasen	2011—2019	120	65	55	.552	17	12	5	.706

Draft history

NLL Entry Draft

First Round Selections

• 1994: Cam Bomberry (1st overall)
• 1995: Derek Collins (5th overall)
• 1996: Cory Bomberry (3rd overall)
• 1997: None
• 1998: Casey Powell (1st overall) & Brad MacArthur (5th overall)
• 1999: John Grant (1st overall) & Ben Hunt (9th overall)
• 2000: Lindsay Plunkett (8th overall)
• 2001: Teddy Jenner (11th overall)
• 2002: Pete Benedict (11th overall)
• 2003: Scott Evans (5th overall)
• 2004: Mike Morrison (8th overall)
• 2005: Shawn Evans (2nd overall)
• 2006: Jack Reid (10th overall)
• 2007: Matt McLeod (8th overall) & Andrew Potter (14th overall)
• 2008: None
• 2009: Sid Smith (1st overall)
• 2010: Cody Jamieson (1st overall)
• 2011: Stephen Keogh (2nd overall), Johnny Powless (5th overall)
• 2012: Carson Michaud (56th overall)
• 2013: None
• 2014: Jeremy Noble (2nd overall)
• 2015: Graeme Hossack (2nd overall), Brad Gillies (9th overall)

NLL Dispersal Draft

• 2002 from Montreal Express: Steve Penny (10th overall); Declined to pick (22nd overall)
• 2003 from Ottawa Rebel: Mat Giles (10th overall); Shawn Zettel (21st overall); Declined to pick (32nd overall)
• 2004 from Vancouver Ravens: Chris McKay (5th overall); Peter Morgan (14th overall)
• 2005 from Anaheim Storm: Cam Bergman (8th overall)
• 2007 from Arizona Sting & Boston Blazers: Jack Reid, Boston (12th overall); Matt Lyons, Arizona (13th overall); Alex Smith, Arizona (36th overall)
• 2008 from Arizona Sting: Lindsay Plunkett (5th overall); Matt Brown (18th overall)
• 2008 from Chicago Shamrox: Mike Kirk (4th overall); Bobby McBride (16th overall); Craig Robertson (24th overall); Pat Saunders (25th overall); Brock Boyle (26th overall)
• 2009 from Arizona Sting: Dan Stroup (17th overall)
• 2010 from Orlando Titans: Jordan Hall (3rd overall); Dan Hardy (13th overall); Kenny Nims (23rd overall); Mike Evans (33rd overall); Bobby Horsey (40th overall)
• 2011 from Boston Blazers: Mike Kirk (5th overall), Casey Powell (14th overall), Jack Reid (23rd overall)

NLL Expansion Draft

• 1999 to Albany Attack: Josh Sanderson (2nd overall)
• 2001 to Calgary Roughnecks, New Jersey Storm, Vancouver Ravens & Columbus Landsharks: Randy Mearns, Calgary (8th overall); Marc Landriault, Calgary (14th overall); Lindsay Plunkett, Vancouver (16th overall); Kevin Howard, Calgary (30th overall)
• 2004 to Minnesota Swarm: Jon Harasym (N/A overall)
• 2005 to Portland Lumberjax & Edmonton Rush: Pat Campbell, Edmonton (8th overall); Mat Giles, Portland (9th overall)
• 2006 to Chicago Shamrox & New York Titans: Carter Livingstone, Chicago (17th overall); Ryan O'Connor, Chicago (19th overall)
• 2007 to Boston Blazers: Brian Croswell (13th overall)
• 2008 to Boston Blazers: Matt Lyons (3rd overall)

See also

• Rochester Knighthawks seasons

References

1. "Knighthawks Unveil New Logo Ahead of Expansion Season". Spectrum Local News. May 30, 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
2. Zimmaro, Mark (May 30, 2019). "Knighthawks are set to begin a new era in Rochester". National Lacrosse League. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
3. "Week 16 News and Notes". NLL.com. April 16, 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-21.
4. "Knighthawks Edge Rock 10-6". NLL.com. April 20, 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-21.
5. "Knighthawks Advance to Championship Game". NLL.com. April 26, 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
6. "Ed Comeau Wins Les Bartley Award". NLL.com. May 3, 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-03.
7. "Arizona To Host Championship Game". NLL.com. April 30, 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-30.
8. "K-Hawks Top Bandits in Friday's Opener, 12-9". NLL.com. January 11, 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-13.
9. "Bandits end K-Hawks Streak with 14-9 Win". NLL.com. January 12, 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-13.
10. Knighthawks sold for nearly $6 million, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle 28 May 2008
11. ARROW EXPRESS SPORTS ANNOUNCES MAJORITY OWNERSHIP OF AMERKS, Amerks.com
12. http://www.nll.com/news/nll-approves-rochester-expansion-team-using-knighthawks-brand/
13. https://www.nll.com/news/nlls-rochester-knighthawks-announce-logo-staff/
14. "John Grant Wins Dodge Nitro MVP Award". NLL.com. May 10, 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-10.
15. "Toll named Transition Player of the Year". NLL.com. May 1, 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-01.
16. "John Grant Named Championship Game MVP". NLL.com. May 12, 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-13.
17. "Stealth's Takata Named Executive of the Year". NLL.com. May 10, 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-11.
18. "Shattler, McCready, & Vinc Honored". NLL.com. 2011-05-09. Retrieved 2011-05-09.
19. "Hall, Bailey Win First Two Awards of 2011". NLL.com. 2011-05-03. Retrieved 2011-05-03.
20. "Rochester Sweeps GM & Head Coach Awards". NLL.com. 2011-05-05. Retrieved 2011-05-05.
21. "Curt Styres Named Executive of the Year". NLL.com. 2011-05-04. Retrieved 2011-05-04.
22. "Knighthawks rookie Powless wins Sportsmanship Award". NLL.com. May 7, 2012. Archived from the original on June 14, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2012.