NLL free agency begins next week as Rochester looks to add to its roster.
By CRAIG POTTER / C&C Worldwide Sports Director
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The new Rochester Knighthawks unveiled the jerseys the team will wear in its inaugural 2019-20 season on Tuesday evening at the Blue Cross Arena.
Players Shawn Evans, Curtis Knight, and Turner Evans displayed the jerseys before about 100 season ticket holders on the floor of the BCA.
Players, from left, Turner Evans, Curtis Knight, and Shawn Evans display the Rochester Knighthawks’ jerseys with the RK logo. (Photo by Craig Potter)
Pegula Sports and Entertainment was awarded a National Lacrosse League expansion franchise in Dec. 2018 to begin operation for the 2019-20 season. The original Rochester franchise moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia, following the 2018-19 season, and became the Thunderbirds.
Shawn Evans, who played the first 6 seasons of his pro career in Rochester, was the first selection by the Knighthawks in the Expansion Draft. The 33-year-old Peterborough, ONT., native is a former NLL champion and 2-time league MVP.
“I won a championship here in 2007 and I want to win another one,” said Evans, who recently completed his 14th season in the NLL, recording 94 points (28+66), 204 shots, and 69 loose balls in 17 games for the East Division champion Buffalo Bandits.
Knight was the fifth round selectee by Rochester off the Saskatchewan Rush roster. The Oshawa, ONT., native helped the Rush to 6 consecutive first-place finishes in the regular season while also leading the team to a pair of NLL titles over a 3-year span.
“It’s something I’ve been involved with before as part of an expansion team,” Knight said. “It’s a really unique experience and a great opportunity for everyone involved…We’re really looking for to it as the players. I know the whole organization is really excited. It should be good and we ready to get going.”
Turner Evans, who was acquired in a trade with the San Diego Seals, recently completed his third season in the NLL in 2018-19, scoring a career-high 19 goals and adding 26 assists for 45 points while appearing in all 18 games for the Seals. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound forward from Peterborough, ONT., also added 4 points (3+1) in one playoff contest for San Diego, which selected him first overall in the 2018 NLL Expansion Draft.
Next on Rochester’s agenda is free agency, which begins next week as the team seeks to add to its roster.
“We’ve got speed, athleticism, strength and obviously the skill level has got to be there,” Carey said as they evaluate the eligible players. “My biggest thing is that we’ve got to find character as we know how important that is to build a championship team. Individuals who buy in and know that the process we’ve all got to follow and pull in the same direction.”
Key getting Hasen as coach
Knighthawks General Manager and Vice President of Lacrosse Operations Dan Carey was thrilled to get Mike Hasen as the Knighthawks first coach.
“It was a process,” Carey said. “I can’t share everything with you but there was interest on his level and he had conversations with, now Halifax, and they were good enough to provide him a chance to speak with us. That was kind of the start of it and it didn’t take very long to realize that he was the right man for the job, and a great fit for us. Mike has had success here, and that’s a bonus for me; how great a guy he is; how prepared he is; how well respected he is with the players. He’s a perfect fir for us to start a franchise.”
Knight added, “I know Coach Mike Hasen pretty well from playing summer lacrosse up in Canada. He’s a really great guy and I think it’s great to have him back in Rochester. I know the fans really like him. He’s an awesome coach and knows a lot about lacrosse. He’s got a high lacrosse IQ and I’m looking forward to continue to play for him. It will be a good team with him there.”