Jordan and Kevin Dance are the first-ever father-son duo to play for the Knighthawks.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Knighthawks announced on Friday that they have signed lefty forward Jordan Dance to a one-year deal. Dance is available to play Saturday when the Knighthawks take on the Colorado Mammoth at 9 p.m. at Pepsi Center in Denver.
“It’s pretty cool. It’s the team I grew up watching,” said Dance. “It’s definitely a good feeling.”
Jordan’s dad, Kevin, played in 19 games for the Knighthawks from 1998-2000, and helped the team reach the 1999 NLL Finals. By coming to Rochester, Jordan and Kevin are now the first father-son duo to ever play for the Knighthawks. The honor was not lost on Jordan as he addressed the historical significance.
“I think that’s pretty darn cool,” said Jordan, who will wear his dad’s No. 13 jersey. “I had no idea. My dad will like to hear that too.”
Jordan has been playing in the Arena Lacrosse League (ALL) this season for the Toronto Monarchs, where his dad is an assistant coach. The younger Dance finished as the playoff leader in goals (10) and points (17), and powered the team to the league championship game. In the ALL Semifinal, Dance posted six goals and two assists in a 14-11 victory over Six Nations. The forward ended the regular season with the fourth most goals in the league with 29, as he led Toronto in goals and points (54).
Dance’s play, especially during the postseason, was what convinced the Knighthawks to sign the free agent forward.
“He plays a hard, gritty game, has a scoring touch and will work with and without the ball,” said Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen. “There is a confidence in his game right now that we hope can translate here and help us be successful.”
The Georgetown, Ontario native’s road to the pros began at the Junior “B” level, spending three seasons with the Halton Hills Bulldogs. From 2009-11 he posted 81 points in 33 games, and won the 2010 Founders Cup. Dance won his second title two years later, winning the 2012 Minto Cup with the Orangeville Northmen. In four seasons of Junior “A” ball, he notched 30 goals and 63 assists for 93 points. In 2014, he played for the Southwest Cyclops of the Canadian Lacrosse League (CLax).
That same year, Dance took a big step in his career after being selected in the third-round (24th overall) of the 2014 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft by the Buffalo Bandits. He spent the 2015 season on the Bandits’ practice roster.
After a one-year hiatus from the league, Dance is back after signing with the Knighthawks Wednesday night. Being placed on the active roster was also a career first for the 24-year-old. The next step would be making his NLL debut, which would cap off an incredible week.
“It would be a dream come true because it is something I have always wanted,” said Dance. “I have always wanted to play at the highest level possible, and everyone wants to play in the NLL. I am still in shock because everything has happened so fast.”