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Rochester Knighthawks

Knighthawks' Hasen Named Coach of the Year Finalist

June 22, 2015 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


Rochester Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen was named one of the three finalists for the National Lacrosse League's Les Bartley Award. He is now in the running for the league's coach of the year award, joining Edmonton's Derek Keenan and Toronto's John Lovell.

In 2015, Hasen led the Knighthawks to a second place finish in the East Division with a 12-6 record and guided Rochester to a berth in the division finals. Hasen, who was a defenseman by trade, also assembled the NLL's stingiest defensive unit, which allowed a league-low 173 goals against this past season.

"It's an honor to be a finalist, especially with two great people like Derek Keenan and John Lovell," said Hasen. "In my eyes, our organization is second to none. First of all, it's the players buying in each and every week and doing the best they can to perform. At the same time, Paddy (Pat O'Toole), Jason (Johnson), Paul (Day) and 'Seeks' (Andy Secore) spend a tremendous amount of hours behind the scenes. It's a great group and a great group to be a part of."

Since taking over the reigns in 2011, Hasen has become one of the most respected and accomplished head coaches in the history of the NLL. In his inaugural season, he won the Les Bartley Award to become the first rookie head coach to win one of the league's most prestigious honors. In 2014, he reserved another place in the NLL record books by leading the Knighthawks to a league-record three straight Champion's Cups. For his efforts, Hasen was the runner-up for last year's Les Bartley Award.

In five seasons as head coach, Hasen has posted a 51-33 record and moved into a tie for 10th place on the NLL's all-time coaching wins list. He is also tied for second all-time in postseason victories with 12, while leading Rochester to five straight playoff appearances.

"No one has won three-in-a-row and we are a contender every year," said Knighthawks assistant coach Paul Day. "He gets the job done."

In 2015, the team and coaches thought so highly of the job Hasen did, that they voted him the recipient of the Wolf Pack Award. The award, which has never gone to a coach, is an honor given to a person on the team who has shown outstanding dedication and commitment to the organization.

"He's our leader and the head of our team. He is the guy we look up to," said Knighthawks forward Joe Walters. "We know that he will do anything (he can) to make us successful."

Hasen, who has spent 16 seasons with the Knighthawks, worked for two seasons as an assistant coach before being promoted to head coach. He also spent nine of his 13 seasons as a player in Rochester. The standout defenseman appeared in 114 games with the Knighthawks from 1999-2007, and concluded his playing career by raising the 2007 Champion's Cup. He was inducted into the Knighthawks Hall of Fame in 2011.

"We always talk about how the team is a close-knit family. For my family, that's definitely true. It's been a part of our lives for a very long time," said Hasen. "Back when I got hired, I said 'the organization is in my blood.' I am very fortunate to be a part of the Knighthawks organization."

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