NLL Rochester Knighthawks

Kirk and Powless Named to East All-Star Team

Published on February 8, 2012 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


(Rochester, February 8)... Rochester Knighthawks Mike Kirk and Johnny Powless were named reserves to the East Division All-Star team for the 2012 All-Star Game, presented by Reebok Lacrosse. Powless also earned his first NLL Rookie of the Week honors.

The duo will join Cody Jamieson and Pat McCready at the event, which will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 25th in Buffalo at First Niagara Center. The game will air on ESPN3. Both Kirk and Powless will make their All-Star debuts in Buffalo.

Kirk, 29, is in his sixth season inthe NLLand first with the Knighthawks. He arrived in Rochester afterspending the last twoseasons in Boston. The defenseman has played in 85 career games and recorded 297 loose balls. The Orangeville, Ontario, native was originally selected in the third round (27th overall) of the 2006 NLL Entry Draft by the Chicago Shamrox. In the summer of 2011, he won his third Mann Cup with the Brampton Excelsiors.

"It's a great honor to be selected for this year's All-Star Game and I am excited to represent the Rochester Knighthawks. It should be a fun night, where we can watch the best players in the world showcase their talents," said Kirk.

Powless stands sixth on the team with 16 points, which includes nine goals. Powless was the Knighthawks' first-round selection (fifth overall) in the 2011 NLL Entry Draft. He recorded 111 goals and 69 assists for 180 points in just 43 games in two seasons with the Junior "A" Six Nations Arrows. This summer, he won the Gaylord Powless Award as the Junior "A" Most Sportsmanlike Player and was named a Second Team All-Star. Powless led the lacrosse league in scoring with 65 goals and was fourth with 102 points. In 2010, he won the Joe Nieuwendyk Award as the Junior "A" Rookie of the Year. Now he adds All-Star Game selection to his list if lacrosse accomplishments.

"I was pretty surprised. I am really excited to play with all the great players," said the modest 18-year-old forward. This past weekend, he scored two goals and added two assists in a 16-14 win over the Minnesota Swarm. He has recorded points in all five games since turning pro.

"I was just really happy. That was one of my goals this season was to win Rookie of the Week," said Powless, who has enjoyed his pro lacrosse experience. "Everything has been great. I really enjoy spending the weekend with the boys."

The Knighthawks will spend this weekend in Minnesota, as they take on the Swarm on Sunday, February 12th at 3:00 p.m. at the Xcel Energy Center. Rochester defeated Minnesota on February 4th to improve to 2-3. Sunday's game will be broadcast live on Sportsradio 950 ESPN and www.sportsradio950espn.com.

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