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Rochester Knighthawks

Dawson Named Teammate of the Year for Knighthawks Inaugural Season

June 10, 2020 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


(Rochester, NY) - The Rochester Knighthawks announced today that veteran defenseman Paul Dawson has been named the Teammate of the Year, presented by Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, for the team's inaugural season.

"Paul Dawson is a consummate professional in every sense of the word and a true leader on and off the floor," said Knighthawks General Manager and Vice President of Lacrosse Operations Dan Carey. "He keeps everyone accountable with his personality, work ethic and toughness. He leads by example, embodies all the qualities that we want in our players and plays an integral role in shaping the culture of our organization. We are lucky to have him as our captain and our players recognize that by voting him Teammate of the Year."

Named the first captain in franchise history, the 34-year-old Dawson led the expansion-era Knighthawks into their first NLL season, recording six points (2+4) and ranking second on the team with 29 penalty minutes while appearing in all 12 games. More importantly, Dawson anchored one of the youngest defenses in the NLL and provided steady leadership to a Knighthawks roster that featured 10 different rookies make their professional debuts this past season.

A 14-year NLL veteran, Dawson returned to Rochester for the 2019-20 campaign after spending parts of the last seven seasons with the previous Knighthawks franchise, recording 36 points (13+23) in 110 career games while winning back-to-back championships (2013-14) along the way. Dawson also piled up 231 penalty minutes during his tenure in Rochester, ranking sixth all-time in team history. He served as an alternate captain during the 2018-19 campaign and was named to the Knighthawks' All-Time Team.

A native of Oakville, Ontario, Dawson has totaled 85 points (25+60) and 484 penalty minutes over 209 career games with Rochester, San Diego, Philadelphia, Boston and San Jose, while also adding nine points (3+6) in 23 postseason appearances. He appeared in his 200th professional game this season back on Dec. 28 against Toronto.

The 6-foot-5, 230-pound defenseman was selected seventh overall by the San Jose Stealth in the 2006 NLL Entry Draft.

The Knighthawks will unveil the final year-end award from their inaugural season on Thursday, June 11 with the Fan's Choice Favorite Player Award, presented by Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino.

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