By Craig Rybczynski
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Knighthawks, in conjunction with iHeartMedia, Inc., will honor the members of their All-Time Team before Saturday’s opener against the Philadelphia Wings. Over a one-month period, over 700 people voted for the top 20-man roster in team history. The fans chose the team’s best 2 goalies, 8 defensemen/transition players, and 10 forwards.
The players selected have all played significant roles in establishing Rochester as one of the most successful franchises in the National Lacrosse League. Since their inception, the Knighthawks have won 5 NLL championships, advanced to a league-record 10 NLL Finals and produced countless All-Pros.
In goal, the netminders named to the All-Time Team are two of the league’s all-time greats, Matt Vinc, and Pat O’Toole. O’Toole stands as the franchise’s all-time leader in saves and retired as the league’s all-time saves leader. In 2003, he was honored with the NLL Goaltender of the Year award. The Knighthawks and NLL Hall of Famer led Rochester to 10 playoff appearances and an NLL championship in 2007.
Vinc, who backstopped the team to three straight NLL titles, is the franchise’s all-time playoff saves leader and sits second behind only O’Toole in regular-season stops. “Vno” won five of his league-record six NLL Goaltender of the Year awards while playing in Rochester (2011, 2013-15, and 2018).
“There were a lot of great players who came through Rochester,” said O’Toole. “To still be recognized as one of the group is just an honor. Just to be able to see all the guys here that night will be great.”
The Top 10 forwards is a “Who’s Who” list of some of the greatest names in the sport. Leading the voting was Knighthawks all-time leading scorer John Grant Jr. Mike Accursi and Cody Jamieson were second and third in the voting, respectively.
Grant, who was the first overall selection in the 1999 Draft, powered the Knighthawks back to the Finals in his rookie season en route to the 2000 NLL Rookie of the Year award. As a Knighthawk, he ranks first in goals (433) and points (894), and second in assists (461). He was a four-time team MVP and the 2007 league and Championship Game MVP. The pinnacle of his career was in 2007 when the seven-time All-Pro brought Rochester its second NLL title. After accomplishing so much, personally and professionally in Rochester, the city still holds a special place in his heart.
“Whenever I talk about Rochester, I talk about it fondly,” he said. “It was home for me and my family; my daughter was born. I just wish I could get back there more often. It’s one of the greatest places I have lived. I loved every minute I was in Rochester.”
During Grant’s years with the Knighthawks, he always had Mr. Reliable on the opposite side of the floor in Mike Accursi. Known as one of the top clutch players in franchise history during his seven seasons in Rochester (2005-07, 2011-14), Accursi helped the Knighthawks win four of their five Champion’s Cups. The forward still ranks fifth in assists (222) and points (364), and ninth in goals (142). In Knighthawks’ playoff history, the three-time team alternate captain remains second in goals (28) and fifth in points (43).
Like Accursi, Cody Jamieson is among the greatest forwards to ever play in Rochester. “Jammer” was a key piece of Rochester’s three-peat from 2012-14, winning back-to-back Championship MVP awards (2012-13). He ranks third in goals (225), assists (392) and points (617) in team history. He was also named the 2014 NLL MVP and a First Team All-Pro. In 2012 and 2015 he was named a Second Team All-Pro. The former first overall pick made an instant impact in 2011 as the Knighthawks returned to the postseason and Jamieson earned All-Rookie Team recognition.
After spending the past eight seasons in the Teal and Purple, it was an honor for Jamieson to join a team with lacrosse legends, including Paul and Gary Gait and Tim Soudan.
“It’s pretty cool to be named to the team, especially knowing it was fan voted,” said. “It’s something you are happy about, but you don’t expect to be in that conversation. To be mentioned with the greats of the Rochester Knighthawks is a privilege.”
Paul Gait was one of the greatest players in Knighthawks’ and NLL history. In 2010, he was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame after leading Rochester to two finals in three seasons (1995-97). The National Lacrosse League Hall of Famer and 11-time All-Pro also helped the franchise win its first championship in 1997. Paul earned the team’s MVP award that season as he completed his Knighthawks career with 87 goals and 58 assists in just 27 games.
Gary Gait played parts of three seasons with the Knighthawks from 2009-11 and helped lead the team back to the postseason in 2009. The NLL Hall of Famer came out of retirement to stabilize the Rochester offense and add more veteran leadership. In 24 games, he posted 39 goals and 35 assists for 74 points.
Soudan played 15 seasons (1991-2005) of professional indoor lacrosse – 11 of those with the hometown Knighthawks. The Fairport native played with the Knighthawks from the team’s inception in 1995 to 2005. He still appears in the Top 10 in numerous categories in franchise history. “Soudo” is ninth in games played (125) and seventh in goals (156). The former forward also ranks 10th in assists (161) and points (317).
The group of forwards includes the team’s all-time assist leader in Shawn Williams. “Willy” was one of the backbones of the offense during his 10 seasons, and was a vital member of the 2007 championship team. He was an emotional leader who backed up his words with his play on the floor. He ended his Rochester career first in assists (492) and second in goals (309) and points (801).
One of his teammates during the Knighthawks’ run to the 2007 title was the feisty and gritty Shawn Evans. “Little Evy” played well beyond his 5-foot-8 statue, delivering timely goals and hits to energize his team. Evans still ranks sixth in assists (220) and points (363), and eighth in goals (143). The final two forwards were instrumental in Rochester’s latest string of success.
Stephen Keogh helped the Knighthawks win three straight championships in his first three seasons of pro lacrosse. The former second-round pick added toughness and a powerful shot to the right side. His fellow forward, Dan Dawson, joined the team in a trade in 2012 and was a towering presence on offense. The 6-foot-5 Dawson was the 2014 NLL Championship Game MVP as Rochester made history by earning the league’s first three-peat. He finished his six seasons in the Flower City ranked fourth in assists (293) and points (426).
On defense, hard-hitting former captain Regy Thorpe garnered the most votes at his position. The Elbridge, NY, native spent his entire career in Rochester, where he stands as the team’s all-time leader in games played (193), loose balls (966) and penalty minutes (385). While in Rochester, Thorpe guided the Knighthawks to six title games and 13 playoff berths in 15 seasons. More importantly, Thorpe stands as the only player in team history to play for the first two championship teams, 1997 and 2007.
Sid Smith, who was a former first overall pick, played in 138 regular season games and 19 postseason contests with the Knighthawks. He is tied for fifth in games played and eighth in loose balls (622). Smith, who was the longest-tenured captain in franchise history, was a close second in voting behind Thorpe. Sid was one of four current defensemen named to the team, along with Scott Campbell, Graeme Hossack, and Paul Dawson.
Now in his ninth season with the Knighthawks, Campbell has served as team captain and an alternate captain during his tenure. In 2016, he was named the team’s Defensive MVP. From 2012-14, he was a fixture on the Rochester defense during the Knighthawks’ run of three straight championships.
Now in his ninth season with the Knighthawks, Campbell has served as team captain and an alternate captain during his tenure. In 2016, he was named the team’s Defensive MVP. From 2012-14, he was a fixture on the Rochester defense during the Knighthawks’ run of three straight championships.
In just three seasons, Hossack has established himself as one of the elite players in the game. During the 2017-18 campaign, he set career highs in goals (seven), assists (seven), and points (14). He was also tied for the league lead with 34 caused turnovers and ended up third with a career-high 163 loose balls. As a result, he received his second straight Knighthawks’ Defensive MVP honor (2017 and 2017-18).
Unheralded defenseman Paul Dawson has become quite adept at blocking shots, which he comes by naturally as a former goalie. In six seasons, Dawson has been getting better with age. Last season, he tied his career high in games played (18) and reached double-digits in points (10) for the first time since the 2011 season. He had an impressive start to his career in Rochester by winning back-to-back NLL Cups (2013-14).
Penfield native Chris Schiller played an outstanding 11 seasons (2002-12) with his hometown team and became the third Rochesterian to join the team’s Hall of Fame. Schiller came home in 2001-02 when the Knighthawks pulled off a deal with the Philadelphia Wings. He made the most of his opportunity, helping the team win the 2007 NLL crown.
“I could not be more humbled by being selected to this amazing group,” said Schiller. “To have my name next to these players is pretty damn cool. Playing for the Knighthawks and our fans were the best times of my lacrosse career. Thank you to everyone who voted and congrats to everyone who was voted in.”
The final two defensemen are both currently members of the Knighthawks’ coaching staff, Marshall Abrams and Mike Hasen. Abrams, who coaches the offense, returned to the organization last season after an eight-year playing career in Rochester. Abrams was a punishing defender who racked up seven goals, 40 assists, and 413 loose balls in 96 games. The 2007 season was also one of his finest as a pro, as he was a member of one of the greatest teams in league history.
The captain of that 2007 club was Mike Hasen, who retired after raising the Cup in Arizona. He helped anchor the Knighthawks’ defense from 1999 to 2007, ending his 13-year career by winning the 2007 Champion’s Cup. After walking away as a champion, he moved into the coaching ranks with the Knighthawks, where he has been ever since. As the team’s head coach, he has compiled a 75-63 regular season record and a 15-7 postseason mark in eight seasons behind the bench. Hasen has also taken his teams on six playoff runs (2011-15, 2018) and won three Cups (2012-14). Being named to the Knighthawks’ All-Time Team means a lot to the 46-year-old, who has dedicated a large portion of his life to the organization.
“I am fortunate enough to still be in the spotlight because I am coaching with the organization,” he said. “I am truly honored because of all the guys who have worn the uniform and all of the great players who have played here.”
Knighthawks’ All-Time Team
Goalie:
Pat O’Toole
Matt Vinc
Forwards:
Mike Accursi
Dan Dawson
Shawn Evans
Gary Gait
Paul Gait
John Grant Jr.
Cody Jamieson
Stephen Keogh
Tim Soudan
Shawn Williams
Defense/Transition:
Marshall Abrams
Scott Campbell
Paul Dawson
Mike Hasen
Graeme Hossack
Chris Schiller
Sid Smith
Regy Thorpe