Scott Self re-signs with Rochester for 1 year.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Knighthawks announced on Thursday that they have re-signed defenseman Scott Self to a one-year deal. Self will be back for his fifth season with the Knighthawks, which will mark his longest tenure with any team in his pro career.
“I really enjoy playing with our defensive group,” said Self. “We’ve played together for a while now and we’re really in tune with our system and each other’s tendencies.”
Self is coming off a season in which he recorded one goal, four assists, and 59 loose balls in 11 games. After being acquired during the 2013 season from Buffalo, the 36-year-old has played in 54 games and notched an impressive 240 loose balls in Rochester. He also won back-to-back Champion’s Cups in his first two seasons in the teal and purple.
“Winning my first championship and then following it up with a second was very special to me,” said Self.
Prior to arriving in Rochester, Self spent time with teams in Minnesota, Ottawa, Arizona, New York, Chicago, Buffalo and Edmonton. During his 16-year career, he has played primarily with three teams, spending four seasons with Rochester, Buffalo and Arizona. He appeared in his first two NLL Championship Games with Arizona (2005, 2007) and his last two with Rochester (2013-14).
Self was originally selected by the Buffalo Bandits in the fourth round (28th overall) of the 1999 NLL Entry Draft. Combining skill, speed and grit, he has collected 186 points and 1,158 loose balls in 236 career games. For his efforts, he has been named to the NLL All-Star Game three times (2006, 2008 and 2012).
“He’s a natural leader with a calming influence,” said Knighthawks defenseman Brad Self, who has played alongside his brother for four seasons. “His experience and winning background are irreplaceable.”
Scott Self’s experience was especially beneficial last season after Rochester added four defensemen in the 2015 NLL Entry Draft.
“You can’t get enough experience,” said Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen. “Another thing about ‘Silky’ is that he is such a great leader as well. He helps the young kids grow and helps us grow as a unit.”
Besides his success at the NLL level, Self has built up quite the resume with the Major Series Lacrosse Peterborough Lakers. Four times he has earned the prestigious Merv McKenzie Memorial Trophy as the league’s Top Defensive Player (2005-07, 2014). Self has also won five Mann Cups with the Lakers (2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012). During his last trip to the Finals, he was named a 2015 Mann Cup Second Team All-Star. On the international scene, he won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2007 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship.
In 2016, he is again in the midst of a playoff run with the Lakers. Peterborough, who won the regular season title, is in the MSL Semifinals. Self is playing a big role defensively on a team that includes seven other Rochester players, head coach Mike Hasen and assistant coach Paul Day.
It makes the transition into the NLL season that much easier after playing year-round with some of his Knighthawks teammates. Rochester has become his winter home as the veteran looks forward to rejoining the Knighthawks as they battle to return to the Champion’s Cup Finals.
“I enjoy the family aspect of being a Knighthawk,” he said. “From the top down it feels like we’re all working together and enjoy being together.”