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NLL Rochester Knighthawks

Knighthawks Jason Henhawk Begins Journey Back

March 16, 2010 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


By Craig Rybczynski - The story of Jason Henhawk's lacrosse career would make a great book or Disney Movie. Four times his lacrosse career was detoured, including his release from the Rochester Knighthawks earlier this season. But each time, the forward from Six Nations battled back to rejoin the top professional league in his sport. Today, Knighthawks Owner and General Manager Curt Styres announced that Henhawk was rejoining the team as a practice squad player. The signing, which is pending league approval, gives him another chance to play the game he loves.

"It feels great (to be back)," said Henhawk. "I can't wait to get back in the lineup sometime soon. I took some time off to heal some injuries."

Henhawk broke into the National Lacrosse League in 1998 with the Buffalo Bandits and collected four goals and one assist in three games. Yet, he would have to wait until the 2000-01 season to play again. His first road back to the NLL took him to the Columbus Landsharks for two games. Like a map in an Indiana Jones movie, Henhawk then traveled to Montreal for one season. That's where the red line ends, stopping in the province of Quebec.

"I took it for granted and fell out of shape. I learned you have to be in shape to play this game. The guys are getting younger and faster. I still love it and enjoy it," said the 29 year old.

Henhawk worked hard to get back into the league, but played only one game in six years. In 2006, the Toronto Rock called and suited him up for one game. Another agonizing wait ensued, but three years later it was the Knighthawks that welcomed Henhawk back into the NLL. He signed a three-year deal with the Knighthawks on August 25, 2008.

"It was a good feeling to get back on the team again after being out for awhile," he said.

In his return to the NLL (2009), he set career highs in games played (14), goals (18), assists (20) and points (38). Everything seemed right for Henhawk, but a midseason hip injury, on February 28th against Toronto, hindered his progress. Yet, he still appeared in 14 games with the K-Hawks.

"It was a pretty successful season," he said. "I played the whole season."

Henhawk now enters his second season with the Knighthawks and sixth season in the NLL, having played in Buffalo, Columbus, Montreal and Toronto. In 2008, he played for the Mohawk Stars (OLA Sr. "B") and led the league with 29 goals and was tied for sixth in points with 38. He also won the Harold James Award for dedication. That award exemplifies his new attitude since those early days. Only a heel injury suffered in September kept him from making the Knighthawks' original 23-man roster.

"I am 100 percent now, but it's a really tough lineup to crack," he said about a team that includes John Grant Jr., Gary Gait, Shawn Williams, Craig Point and Shawn and Scott Evans. "They have a lot of good veterans."

The Knighthawks, however, need a spark after suffering a 9-4 loss to the Orlando Titans last weekend. It marked the fourth time this season that Rochester was held to single digit goals. Henhawk is eager to move from the practice squad to the active roster to help his teammates.

"I think I can put numbers up and put some fans in the seats," he said. "I want to help this team out."

Rochester has a bye week before returning to the floor on March 27th against the fifth-place Buffalo Bandits (5-6), who trail the K-Hawks (5-5) by only one-half game. Whenever Henhawk does return to the team, he admits it will be like his first game in 1998.

"It will be like playing in my first pro game all over again," he said. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. The organization is great and so are the fans all over Rochester."

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