The defending NLL Champions Rochester Knighthawks will begin their battle to retain their title on the road Saturday January 5th, as they travel to Washington to take on the Stealth.
The game not only marks the Knighthawks return to NLL action since hoisting the Champions Cup last year, it also marks the regular season debut for Rochester’s off-season acquisitions. Most notable of such acquisitions are Dan Dawson and Casey Powell, who won the 2009 and 2010 NLL MVP Awards, respectively.
Dawson registered 103 points last season as a member of the Philadelphia Wings, marking the third season in his career the Oakville native had reached the 100-point plateau. For his efforts, Dawson was named 1st Team All-Pro for the fourth consecutive year and was selected to his sixth NLL All-Star game.
Powell returns to the NLL after sitting out the 2012 season. Since beginning his career with the Knighthawks over a decade ago, Powell has amassed 595 points in nine NLL seasons.
In addition to the obvious scoring prowess the duo both share, the careers of Dawson and Powell feature additional similarities. Despite the various accomplishments and awards each has collected throughout their time in the NLL, neither has a Champions Cup title to their name. Adding to this similarity is the fact that each has reached the NLL finals three times, only to walk away empty handed. Two of Powell’s appearances as a finals runner-up occurred in the two seasons he spent in a Rochester jersey.
Powell and Dawson are familiar with each other’s games, having previously played together during the 2011 season with the Boston Blazers, combining for over 180 points.
With a majority of last year’s Championship squad returning, Dawson and Powell will only increase Rochester’s chances of defending their 2012 NLL title as the dynamic duo look to add a Champion’s Cup ring to their long list of accolades.
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