NLL Rochester Knighthawks

Six Nations Council Honors Knighthawks

Published on July 24, 2014 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


The Six Nations Council honored the Rochester Knighthawks Wednesday for winning their National Lacrosse League record third straight Champion's Cup. Knighthawks President Lewis Staats and Assistant General Manager Landon Miller accepted the plaque commemorating the 2014 Championship Season from Six Nations Elected Chief G. Ava Hill at the Community Hall. The presentation preceded the first of an inspirational speakers' series initiated by the Chief Hill.

"I thought it was fitting to have the Champion's Cup there with what they're trying to do with setting goals," said Staats. "Curt (Styres) set the goal to own a professional lacrosse team in 2004, and we accomplished that goal in 2008. Then he took it one step further by making history by becoming the first team in the 28 years of the league to win three straight championships."

Following speeches by Miller and Staats, Buffalo Sabres Head Coach Ted Nolan and his two sons Brandon and Jordan gave a motivational talk to 100 guests. The Nolans are in town to run the 3 Nolan First Nation Hockey School just months after Jordan won his second Stanley Cup with the Los Angeles Kings. Ted has strong ties to the Knighthawks as he still serves as the team's Special Advisor to the President.

"I believe any good organization in the world starts from the top. Curt put together top-notch, knowledgeable lacrosse people, but more importantly, he put together a great group of people," said Nolan. "They all have the same desire to be the best they can, and as a result they have won three World Championships. It all starts with the people."

The Knighthawks, who are owned by Six Nations' Curt Styres, captured the 2014 NLL Championship after defeating the Calgary Roughnecks. Rochester advanced to the NLL Championship Series after winning the East Division regular season title with a 14-4 record. As the No. 2 seed in the playoffs, the Knighthawks knocked off the Buffalo Bandits in the divisional finals to reach the NLL Championship Series. The Knighthawks won the Cup with contributions from several Six Nations stars, including Cody Jamieson, Sid Smith, Craig Point, Johnny Powless and Wenster Green.

Jamieson won the regular season scoring title with a career-best 108 points, and is a finalist for the NLL MVP Award. Smith, who was named team's Best Defenseman for the fourth time in his career, captained the team to a championship for a second straight season. Point was clutch in the finals, scoring the series-clinching goal, while Powless put up career highs in goals and points in 2014. Green was a solid defenseman and won his first Champion's Cup.

The organization also has a Six Nations' flavor with the following staff members hailing from the area: Staats, Miller, assistant coaches Jason Johnson and Andy Secore, Goalie Coach Derek General, VP of Operations Tracy Johnson, Special Projects Coordinator Wendy Staats, Equipment Manager Christian Shognosh, Assistant Trainer Dave Sowden, Scout Kevin Hill and Photographer Ward Laforme Jr.

"It's an honor to be recognized for the hard work everyone put in (this season). Having our head office at the ILA and a lot of Six Nations members involved, it's a source of pride for everyone," said Miller. "It's more special because of our traditional roots to the game. It's something we strive to be the best in the world at."

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