NLL Rochester Knighthawks

Knighthawks Deal for Sullivan, Pick

March 12, 2013 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


The Rochester Knighthawks have acquired veteran defenseman Jon Sullivan and a third-round pick in the 2014 NLL Entry Draft from the Colorado Mammoth in exchange for forward Casey Powell. The deal comes one day prior to the National Lacrosse League trade deadline, which is Wednesday, March 13th at 5:00 p.m.

This season, the 6-2, 195-pound defenseman has played in 10 games for the Mammoth and recorded three assists and 31 loose balls. The 30-year-old from St. Catharines, Ontario moves closer to home with the deal to the defending champs.

"We needed to fill that role held by McCready, Cousins and Travis Hill. He is a veteran player and that makes a difference," said Knighthawks Owner and General Manager Curt Styres. "Sullivan is the type of player that will check you, take the ball from you and score."

Sullivan is in his ninth season in the NLL and second with the Mammoth. In his career, he has recorded 58 points and 465 loose balls in 129 games. While in Colorado, he has served as one of the Mammoth's two assistant captains the past two seasons. In 2011, he had a career-high nine assists.

"During my career, I have been very consistent in playing good 'D' and being a good team guy," said Sullivan, who will attend the team's practice in Six Nations Wednesday. "I play with a bunch of the guys in the summer in Six Nations so it should be an easy transition."

Sullivan arrived in Denver on September 7, 2011 after a trade between Colorado and Minnesota. He spent seven seasons with the Swarm and was a member of the inaugural Minnesota team in 2005. He was named the Swarm Defensive Player of the Year in 2010. Sullivan was originally signed by the Swarm as a free agent on December 10, 2004. In 2003, he won a Minto Cup with the St. Catharines Athletics. In May 2011, he captured gold at the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships for Team Canada.

Sullivan also represented Canada at the 2010 FIL World Lacrosse Championships. The defenseman captured a silver medal with Team Canada. He added to his field lacrosse resume by playing two seasons in Major League Lacrosse with the Toronto Nationals. He played seven games in 2009 and 2010 for the Nats. In 2009, he was a member of the MLL Championship Team.

Powell heads to Denver after playing in seven games with the Knighthawks in 2012. He currently ranks fourth on Rochester with 22 points (8+14). The 37-year-old forward is in his 10th season in the NLL and third with the Knighthawks. The former league MVP returned to the game in 2013, signing with Rochester after sitting out the 2012 season. Powell was originally the first overall pick by the Knighthawks in the 1999 NLL Entry Draft.

The Knighthawks return home for a three-game home stand starting on Saturday, March 16th against the Edmonton Rush. The game can be heard live on Sportsradio 950 ESPN and on www.sportsradio950espn.com. It can be seen live on YouTube via The Lacrosse Network.

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