Kighthawks Announce Team Awards
April 27, 2015 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release
Rochester Knighthawks Best Defenseman Sid Smith
(Rochester Knighthawks)
The Rochester Knighthawks presented their team awards following Saturday night's game at Connors & Ferris Field at The Blue Cross Arena. The on-field ceremony honored individuals for their exceptional performances during the 2015 season.
Taking home the night's top honor, team MVP, was Knighthawks goaltender Matt Vinc. The reigning NLL Goaltender of the Year is number one in the league among goaltenders in saves (620) and saves percentage (.807) and ranks second in goals against average (9.51). He has backstopped the Knighthawks in impressive fashion, blocking shots that people never thought possible.
"'Vno', since day one when he got here, has been huge for us," Knighthawks assistant coach Pat O'Toole said. "There's no one more deserving of this award than him."
The four-time NLL Goaltender of the Year is also 43 saves away from breaking his own single-season team saves record of 662, which he set in 2013. This season, he backstopped the Knighthawks to their fifth straight playoff appearance leading the team to a league-low 160 goals in 17 games.
This marked the third time Vinc has won the honor. He is tied with his predecessor, Pat O'Toole for second on the Knighthawks in Team MVP Awards.
"He could get it any year that he's been here," O'Toole said. "He does a great job for us every night and he gives us the chance to win. There's nothing better than being voted MVP by your peers too. It's one thing to get a league one, but when the guys on your team see what you do, it's pretty special."
Assistant captain Cody Jamieson was voted as the Knighthawks Offensive MVP. The Six Nations native has 87 points (32+55) this season, putting him first in points on the Knighthawks for the fourth straight season.
"He really makes everyone around him better," said Knighthawks assistant coach Paul Day. "He makes our offense tick. He's a great leader and he's the guy who everyone on our offense is following when we go out that door every night."
This award adds to his already impressive list of accomplishments for the Knighthawks, which includes the 2012 and 2014 team MVP and the 2011 Knighthawks Rookie of the Year. Jamieson was a member of the team's historic three-straight Champion's Cups. He became only the second player in NLL history to win back-to-back NLL Championship MVP awards (2012-13). Jamieson capped off his 2014 season by being named the League MVP.
This season, the fifth-year pro has a team-best four game-winning goals. One of his biggest game winners came on February 21st against the Buffalo Bandits. Jamieson, en route to a seven-point night, put up two goals and an assist in the final five minutes of the game to tie it and send it into overtime. He then scored the overtime game-winning goal to not only give the Knighthawks the victory against their thruway rivals, but a three-game sweep against Buffalo.
Prior to being presented the Offensive MVP Award, Jamieson put up a 10-point night (3+7) in the 14-6 victory over the New England Black Wolves.
Team Captain Sid Smith was named Best Defenseman for a third straight season and for the fifth time in his Knighthawks career. Smith has collected 79 loose balls this season, which is good enough for third on the team. Smith is a leader on the Knighthawks back end and a quiet force on an unbreakable defensive unit.
"He's one of our best defenders," said Knighthawks assistant captain Mike Kirk. "He plays with that grit and toughness, and he's one of the best defenders in the league."
The 2015 Rookie of the Year Award was presented to Knighthawks transition man Joel Matthews. Matthews was acquired from the Buffalo Bandits in December 2014 and signed a one-year deal with the Knighthawks. Since joining the team, he has continued to impress the coaching staff. In six games, Matthews has put up 13 points (4+9) and collected 17 loose balls.
"He's been fantastic," said Day. "Everything we've asked him to do, he's done. He's really exceeded our expectations. He's going have a great future ahead of him. We're quite comfortable getting him in the lineup every night. It's tough with the depth in this league, but every time we've used him we've played well and won."
The St. Catharines, Ontario native is quickly becoming a fan favorite in Rochester, always taking the time to recognize the people cheering him on each week. For the past few weeks of the season, after warm ups, Matthews has stayed on the field to throw lacrosse balls over the glass to the young fans on the other side. He's also been seen taking pictures with them during the games.
A commonly known nickname for the Knighthawks is "The Wolf Pack". The Wolf Pack Award is an honor that is given to a person on the team who has shown outstanding dedication and commitment. The team found it fitting that they present the 2015 Wolf Pack Award to head coach Mike Hasen for his tremendous devotion to his team. Hasen's efforts have led the team to three straight Champion's Cups, something no other team has accomplished in National Lacrosse League history.
"He's our leader and the head of our team," said Knighthawks forward Joe Walters. "He is the guy we look up to and he will do anything for us to make us successful. He's extremely deserving of the Wolf Pack Award."Â
This season is Hasen's fifth as the Knighthawks coach. Coincidentally, this is also the fifth straight season the Knighthawks have made it to the NLL's Champion's Cup Playoffs. He is the mastermind behind the team that has become one of the most accomplished in the NLL.
For the sixth year in a row, Knighthawks forward and Rochester native Joe Walters was voted the winner of the Community Service Award. From his Anti-bullying and Healthy Hawks presentations to his work at lacrosse camps, the 30-year-old lacrosse star is always working with the youth in Rochester to spread his love for not only the game of lacrosse and staying fit, but also teaching them about respecting one another. As a local athlete, Walters is always eager to give back to his community in as many ways as he can and be a role model to the kids who look up to him.
"Joe is not only a great lacrosse player, but a great person," Knighthawks Director of Communications Craig Rybczynski said. "He understands the importance of giving back to the community and being a positive role model. He is a true ambassador of the game and is very deserving of the team's community service award."
The Knighthawks final award of the evening went to the team's Seventh Man. This is not a player, but a person behind the scenes who supports the team and will stop at nothing to do whatever the team needs to be successful.
This year's Seventh Man Award was given to Dave Sowden. Sowden, who started off the season as the Knighthawks' assistant athletic trainer, also took over the equipment manager duties in March. His willingness to do anything for the team embody the true meaning of the Seventh Man.
"It's one of those awards that goes to the guy who doesn't get noticed," said Hasen. "He's not on the floor and his name is not in lights by any means, but he's put a lot of time in here to make sure that this group is all comfortable and has no worries about coming here being ready to play."
The Knighthawks will close out the regular season schedule on the road in Minnesota on Saturday, May 2nd at 8:00 p.m. Fans can watch the game on NLL Live in the U.S. and on TSN GO in Canada. Fans can listen to the live broadcast on 105.5 The Team and theteam.fm. Â Â
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National Lacrosse League Stories from April 27, 2015
- Kighthawks Announce Team Awards - Rochester Knighthawks
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