NLL Rochester Knighthawks

Knighthawks' Trade Reunites Self Brothers

Published on March 14, 2013 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


For the third time in their professional careers, Scott and Brad Self will play on the same National Lacrosse League team. Scott Self, 33, joins his younger brother on the Rochester Knighthawks following a deal with the Buffalo Bandits. Rochester sent forward Alex "Kedoh" Hill to the Bandits in exchange for the veteran defenseman.

The brothers were both at a lacrosse camp outside of their hometown of Peterborough, Ontario when several calls started coming in.

"I saw some numbers on my phone and knew something was up. If I was going anywhere I wanted to go to Rochester," said Scott Self, who was an assistant captain in Buffalo this season.

Brad had a different take on the activity on his phone on Trade Deadline Day.

"I am pretty excited. It was better news than I thought," said Brad with a laugh.

The trade reunites the brothers for the first time since the 2008 season when they played in Chicago. Scott Self has played in 182 games in 13 seasons and collected 166 points and 918 loose balls. During his career, he has made stops in Minnesota, New York, Ottawa, Arizona, Buffalo, Chicago and Edmonton. The defenseman is a three-time NLL All-Star (2006, 2008 and 2012), who was originally drafted by the Buffalo Bandits in the fourth round (28th overall) in the 1999 NLL Entry Draft.

Self has also won the prestigious Merv McKenzie Memorial Trophy as the Top Defensive Player in the Ontario Lacrosse Major Series three times (2005-07). On the international scene, Self won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2007 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships.

Brad and Scott first played together in the NLL in 2003 with the Ottawa Rebels. While playing on the same team in the winter has been a rarity, the defensemen have played for the Peterborough Lakers for nine seasons together.

"We have played on the same team in the summer, but playing on the same NLL team again will be a great experience," said Brad, 32, who is currently in his second season with the Knighthawks.

"We got to spend some time together in Ottawa and Chicago. It will be a lot easier on our parents," said Scott, who has spent the past three seasons with the Bandits.

Last season in Buffalo, Scott led team with 78 loose balls and led all Bandits defensemen in scoring with 17 points (6+11). He also tied his career high with six goals. This season, Scott has played 10 games and recorded four goals, two assists and 32 loose balls. The last time Scott and Brad went head-to-head, they both scored goals on February 16th. Scott won that game and has the upper hand in the all-time series. But that sibling rivalry will finally come to an end this weekend.

"I am happy to have him on the team. His career record in the NLL is 8-2 against me," said Brad.

Brad prefers playing on the same team as his older brother, which was evident in the summer of 2012, when they helped the Peterborough Lakers win the Mann Cup. It was Scott's fifth Mann Cup as a member of his hometown Lakers, and second with his brother on the team.

Yet last year, Brad did something that Scott has yet to do: Win the Champion's Cup. Although a Bandit at the time, Scott was there at The Blue Cross Arena to cheer for the rival Knighthawks as they defeated the Edmonton Rush.

It's only fitting then that the first game in which they will suit up together in a Knighthawks uniform is against the same team Rochester defeated in the 2012 NLL Championship Game. The Knighthawks will host the Rush Saturday, March 16th at 7:30 p.m.

On Wednesday, the Selfs were both at practice at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena to prepare for the next game. It was a quick turnaround for Scott, who had to meet up with his brother and Cory Vitarelli to make it to practice.

"It went by really quickly. I looked up at the clock and practice was almost over," said Scott. "I have to get used to playing with the group and learning their tendencies."

Heading to Buffalo is Alex "Kedoh" Hill, who has been in Rochester for two seasons. Kedoh won a Champion's Cup in 2012 with Rochester and tied his career highs in goals (5), assists (6) and points (11). Hill was the Major Series Lacrosse Rookie of the Year in 2012 after finishing third on the Six Nations Chiefs with 35 points (21+14). The Six Nations product also won the 2012 Bowhunter Cup with the Iroquois Nationals.

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