Seeing as though the Rochester Knighthawks recently celebrated winning their second consecutive Champion’s Cup title, the first team to repeat as league champions in a decade, it would be a safe assumption that there will be little change to the current roster heading into next season. However, with owner and general manager Curt Styres at the helm, nothing can ever be be disregarded.
Since taking over the team in 2008 Styres has made a number of moves that, while seeming somewhat bold and questionable at the time, have visibly paid off in the team’s latest two titles. In 2010, Styres shocked many in the lacrosse world when he sent long time Knighthawk John Grant Jr. to Colorado in a trade that resulted in Rochester acquiring Matt Vinc and Brad Self in return. At the time, despite the fact he led the team in scoring, there were many doubts as to whether or not Grant would be able to return to full form after missing the previous season in it’s entirety due to a knee injury.
Styres made waves again a year later, when he sent Shawn Evans to Calgary for the chance to pick Johnny Powless first overall. This was followed a month later, when a deal with the Edmonton Rush saw Shawn Williams became the next high profile Knighthawk to go.
Since being dealt from Rochester, Grant, Evans and Williams all have had thrived personally since. Grant was able to rebound from injury, setting a new NLL scoring record and earning MVP honours in 2012. Evans recently captured the scoring title and was named MVP. Additionally, Williams has split the last two years with Edmonton and Buffalo, posting over sixty points in each season.
However, individual successes of former players are easy to be forgotten with the recent accomplishments of the team Styres has put together. Vinc has been a rock in the Rochester cage since joining the team. The goaltender is also coming off a incredible season in which he earned NLL Goaltender of the Year honors and his fourth First Team All-Pro selection, becoming the first ever to capture top goalie nods and a league championship in the same season. Powless and Self both have two Champion’s Cup rings in as many seasons in a Rochester uniform. All in all, Styres has managed to create a dynasty in the making despite trading away three of the franchise’s marquee players.
The most important and perhaps most notable Styres’ moves to keep in mind, when considering potential off-season moves for Rochester, is the recent deal(s) involving Dan Dawson and Casey Powell. Despite being defending champs, Rochester was also involved in some of the biggest moves in the previous off season. Dan Dawson was acquired by Rochester along with brother Paul and a 2016 first round pick just prior to the NLL pre-season getting underway, giving up Paul Rabil, Jordan Hall, Joel White and Robbie Campbell in the process. After turning heads by managing to convince hold-out Casey Powell to suit up with the Knighthawks prior to the 2013 season, Styres decided to deal the star before season’s end, sending the star to the Mammoth at the trade deadline.
The Knighthawks head into next season with the possibility of winning their third consecutive Champion’s Cup, something no NLL franchise has accomplished before. Although the feat is definitely manageable with the talent of their current roster, it should come as no surprise if Curt Styres decides to mix things up before the 2014 season.
