Scott Self and Jon Sullivan are released by Rochester.
The Rochester Knighthawks thanked Scott Self and Jon Sullivan for their years of service after releasing the veteran defensemen on Friday.
“We thank Scott for his hard work, dedication and commitment to the Rochester Knighthawks,” said Knighthawks Owner and General Manager Curt Styres. “He has been a leader who played a key role in our success on and off the field. We wish him and his family continued success in the future.”
In a career that has spanned 16 seasons, it was in Rochester that Self experienced his greatest success. After being acquired during the 2013 season from Buffalo, he won his first Champion’s Cup in Rochester. The following season, he would add another championship to his resume as the Knighthawks completed their run of three straight titles. Self finished the 2014 postseason tied for second on the team with 21 loose balls. During the regular season, he collected a career-high 106 loose balls and played in his 200th pro game on March 15.
While in Rochester, Self played in 54 games and notched 240 loose balls. In 2015, he tied his career high with 18 games played. In 2016, the Peterborough, Ontario native hit the 50-game plateau as a Knighthawk as he appeared in 11 games, notching five points and 59 loose balls.
“We want to thank Jon for his contributions to the success of the Knighthawks’ organization,” said Knighthawks Owner and General Manager Curt Styres. “We wish Jon, and his family, the best of luck in the future.”
Sullivan, who was acquired in 2013 from Colorado Mammoth, played in 47 games and collected 168 loose balls and 14 points in Rochester. In his first season with the Knighthawks, Sullivan won his first Champion’s Cup as the team repeated as NLL champs.
The following season, “Sully” was a mainstay on the Knighthawks’ defense and played in all six playoff games. During the 2014 playoff run, Sullivan scored the game’s final goal in a 16-10 win over Calgary in Game Two of the NLL Championship series. In the decisive 10-minute tiebreaker game, he assisted on Craig Point’s first goal in a 3-2 come-from-behind victory. The win kept the Cup in Rochester and allowed the Knighthawks to capture a league-record three straight titles.
In 2015, the St. Catharines, Ontario native posted the most points he has had since the 2011 season. Sullivan notched six points that season in a career-high 18 games. Last season, he reached a professional milestone, scooping up his 600th career loose ball on March 5.
“‘Sully’ was a stay-at-home guy who was positionally sound,” said Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen. “We knew he was going to be there no matter what the circumstances.”