The former Rochester Knighthawks forward will be inducted on Sept. 23.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The National Lacrosse Hall of Fame announced that former Rochester Knighthawks forward Casey Powell has been named one of nine members of the Class of 2017. The official induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, Sept. 23, at The Grand Lodge in Hunt Valley, Md.
“Casey is one of the best to ever play this game,” said Knighthawks forward Dan Dawson. “He is a true competitor and great ambassador for the sport.”
Powell played parts of three seasons for the National Lacrosse League’s Rochester Knighthawks. A four-time collegiate All-American at Syracuse University, Powell was the first overall pick in the 1998 NLL Entry Draft. During his first two years in the NLL, he helped the Knighthawks advance to back-to-back NLL championship games.
In his first season, he posted 30 points in nine games and played in the 1999 NLL All-Star Game. The West Carthage, NY native followed that up with a 28-point campaign in 2000. He also added seven points in two playoff games.
During his 11-year career, Powell played in 137 games and registered 279 goals and 395 assists for 674 points. The forward played for teams in Anaheim, Boston, Colorado, New York, Orlando and Rochester. He was a four-time All-Pro and was the first American to win the league MVP award in 2010.
Powell returned to Rochester for one of his final seasons in the NLL after being reacquired in the Dispersal Draft of Boston Blazers players. In 2013, he played in seven games with the Knighthawks before being dealt to Colorado. Powell finished his Knighthawks career with 29 goals and 51 assists in 26 games.
“Casey was the best U.S. player to play in the NLL and one of the best of any nationality to play the game,” said Knighthawks assistant coach Paul Day, who coached Powell in Rochester and Orlando. “He was the most dominant player in the NLL in 2010 with the Titans. He won us some games on his own.”
Before turning pro, Powell was a four-time All-American and a two-time National Player of the Year at Syracuse and led the Orange to the 1995 NCAA championship. He was named as a member of the NCAA All-Tournament team each of his four seasons. In 1998, he earned Division I Attackman of the Year honors. During his collegiate career, Powell recorded an impressive 287 points.
In 2011 and 2015, he played for the United States at the FIL World Indoor Lacrosse Championship. In 2011, he was named MVP and an All-World Team member after leading the U.S. with 16 goals and 15 assists in five games.