NLL Rochester Knighthawks

Pat McCready a Finalist for NLL Hall of Fame

June 27, 2014 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


Former Rochester Knighthawks star Pat McCready was named a finalist today for the National Lacrosse League Hall of Fame Class of 2014. The other nominees on the ballot this year include Jake Bergey, Pat Coyle, Chris Hall and Kaleb Toth. Ballots are cast by the teams, current members of the NLL Hall of Fame and senior members of the league's covering media.

"It's nice to be nominated. The nomination is reflective of the great teams I played on," said McCready. "I was a defensive transition player who was able to play my role due to the great players and great teams I played with."

This marks the second season that McCready has been a finalist for the league's most prestigious club after a stellar 17-year career. Playing from 1996-2012, he was a three-time champion and three-time All-Star selection. He wrapped up his NLL career with 384 points (141+243) and 1,593 loose balls, which were third-most in league history. He ranked third in the NLL in penalty minutes (468) and seventh in games played (219). McCready also made eight Championship Game appearances (1997, 1999-2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012).

His value to his team, however, went far beyond statistics and records.

"He always put the team first. He had your back and would go to the wall for his team," said Knighthawks Head Coach Mike Hasen, who coached and played alongside McCready in Rochester. "He was such a great guy in the locker room and on the floor. He was one heck of a lacrosse player."

The St. Catharines, Ontario native played seven seasons with the Knighthawks (1997-2001, 2011-12). He spent the last two seasons of his career as Rochester's team captain. In 2011, he played one of his best seasons, earning the NLL Defensive Player of the Year Award and First Team All-Pro honors. The following season, he led the Knighthawks to the first of three straight NLL Championships. In his final game in the NLL, he helped the Knighthawks rally from a 5-1 first-half deficit to defeat the Edmonton Rush 9-6. It was a fitting ending to a Hall of Fame career.

"From start to finish of his career, he was the ultimate team player and finished at the top of his game as an NLL All-Star, Defenseman of the Year and captain of a World Championship team," said Knighthawks Assistant Coach Paul Day.

The 2012 title was his second with the Knighthawks, and third overall, having won the 2008 Champion's Cup in Buffalo. McCready won his first Cup with the Knighthawks back in 1997 in just his second season as a pro. It was a team filled with future Hall of Famers like Paul Gait, Tim Soudan, Jeremy Hollenbeck, Regy Thorpe, Steve Dietrich, Randy Mearns, Duane Jacobs and Chris Driscoll. Very soon, McCready might be able to add his name to that list.

"Pat McCready is the best example of a team player. He works hard on and off the floor," said Driscoll. "He is a leader and is very deserving of being part of the Hall of Fame."

Voters may select up to three of the five nominees on the ballot. To win induction into the Hall of Fame, nominees must be selected on a minimum of 75 percent of the ballots cast.

The nominees were selected by the league's Hall of Fame Committee. Once nominated as finalists, candidates remain on the ballot for a second year if they do not receive enough votes for induction in their first year. Nominees come off the ballot if they do not receive enough votes in the second year, but can be re-nominated by the Hall of Fame Committee in the future to return to the ballot. The Committee considered all of the individuals that were suggested by fans earlier this month via the league's Facebook and Twitter pages.

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