NLL Rochester Knighthawks

Knighthawks' Styres a Finalist for NLL GM of the Year

Published on June 10, 2014 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


Just three hours after Rochester Mayor Lovely A. Warren proclaimed June 10 th "Rochester Knighthawks Day," Curt Styres received more good news. The Knighthawks Owner and General Manager was named one of the three finalists for the 2014 NLL GM of the Year Award, joining Calgary Roughnecks' Mike Board and the Edmonton Rush's Derek Keenan.

Styres managed Rochester to the top of the East Division with a 14-4 record, second best in the NLL. Rochester went 12-1 in the division and posted an 8-1 record at home. The Knighthawks allowed 167 goals, second-fewest in the league, and boasted two players in the league's top five for scoring, including the NLL's leading scorer. Styres received high marks from Head Coach Mike Hasen.

"He has created a family atmosphere in Rochester," said Hasen, who won has won three titles in his four seasons as Rochester's bench boss. "He brings a passion to the organization."

"First of all, he has hired a great staff and one thing he does is listen to them," said VP of Player Personnel Jody Gage. "He has a great ability to find players with talent and character. He built this team and put a solid group of players, scouts and coaches together into one big family."

"The Wolf Pack," as they refer to themselves, have captured three straight championships. On May 31 st, the Knighthawks defeated the Calgary Roughnecks in three games to become the first team in NLL history to win three straight Champion's Cups. The team also earned the first three-peat in Rochester sports history. Those credentials could win Styres his second NLL GM of the Year Award. He received the honor in 2011, which was the same season he won the league's Executive of the Year Award.

"Winning three in a row certainly helps with a young team. He made the tough decisions early and has been a great GM for the Knighthawks," said Assistant Coach Paul Day.

"I think Curt should be the unanimous GM of the Year after what he did for us this year," added Knighthawks Assistant Captain Cody Jamieson. "He goes above and beyond what you would expect from not only an owner, but a GM. He does everything top-notch."

Board, who also serves as Director of Business Operations for the Roughnecks, oversaw the Calgary team that finished second in the West Division with a 12-6 record, good for third overall in the league. The Roughnecks scored 237 goals this season, tops in the NLL for the second-straight year. Calgary had three players in the league's top 10 for points and goal scoring and boasted the NLL's best power play (55%) and penalty kill (67%).

Keenan, doubling as the Rush's head coach, helped lead Edmonton to a historic season which included a league-record 14-0 start and culminated with a 16-2 record as the top overall seed in the NLL standings to clinch the franchise's first home playoff game. The Rush allowed a league-low 157 goals and finished second in the league with 220 goals scored. Building through the draft, Edmonton had two players finish in the top five of rookie scoring.

The 2014 NLL General Manager of the Year Award is determined by a vote of the league's Board of Governors and General Managers at the end of the regular season. The winners will be announced at the first-ever NLL Season Awards Ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 21 in Oakville, ON.

Check out the Rochester Knighthawks Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



National Lacrosse League Stories from June 10, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central