KNIGHTHAWKS ENSHRINING ACCURSI INTO HALL OF FAME By Craig Rybczynski In front of dozens of former players and his friends and family, Rochester Knighthawks legend Mike Accursi will receive his induction into the team s Hall of Fame as its 17th member. Tonight, he will join one of the league s most prestigious Halls of Fame, which includes players like Paul Gait, Shawn Williams, Pat O Toole, Mike Hasen and Pat McCready, to name a few. It s a huge honor. You look at all those guys, and they were staples of the Rochester Knighthawks organization and true legends of the sport, said Accursi. To be included in that group of guys is humbling. Accursi played 17 seasons of pro lacrosse from 1998-2014 and amassed 391 goals, 436 assists and 827 points in 237 games. In his NLL career, he played for teams in Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, Hamilton, and Edmonton. In NLL postseason history, he is ranked fifth in goals (58), tied for eighth in points (99), and tied for ninth in games played (26). The St. Catharines, Ontario native spent some of his best years in Rochester. Known as one of the top clutch players in franchise history during his seven seasons in Rochester (2005-07, 2011-14), he helped the Knighthawks win four of their five Champion s Cups. When Knighthawks Owner and General Manager Curt Styres purchased the team in June of 2008, he identified Accursi as a player he wanted to bring back to the organization. After the 2010 campaign, the prolific point producer became available, and the Knighthawks made sure to sign the veteran forward. In Accursi s first season back in the teal and purple, the Knighthawks returned to the postseason. The following year, they began their run of three straight championships. Accursi was a big part of the team s return to prominence. It s his character, said Styres. It s not what he does, but how he does it, that leaves a huge impression on me. It s the way he conducts himself; he was a great example for the younger guys. He gets his point across, and the guys learn from it. Accursi remains among the top offensive players in the history of the storied franchise. The forward still ranks fifth in assists (222) and points (364), and ninth in goals (142). In Knighthawks playoff history, the three-time team alternate captain remains second in goals (28) and fifth in points (43). He was very competitive and a great teammate, said Knighthawks VP of Player Personnel Jody Gage, who is also in the Knighthawks Hall of Fame. He has great knowledge of the game and an incredible lacrosse IQ. As we all know, Mike scored a lot of big goals in a lot of big games for us, especially in the playoffs. He worked hard at his game, both on and off the floor. He was a big part of our success. He was one of the most clutch guys ever to put on that uniform, said former teammate and current Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen. Championships seem to follow him. We brought him here for a reason. He was a big part of when we got it done in 2007. Throughout his whole career, he was a guy who you knew was going to give his very best every night. Accursi s most memorable Cup was his first one, as he was a key member of one of the best teams in the history of the NLL. The 2007 Knighthawks won a then league record 12 straight games. In the postseason, Rochester continued its dominance by winning all three playoff games to secure the franchise s second Champion s Cup. The 15 consecutive wins remains an NLL single-season record. Accursi led the playoffs with 11 goals and finished tied for sixth in points with 15. In the Championship Game, he scored three goals and added two assists. That Cup was the first of five that he would win in an eight-year span in the National Lacrosse League. Accursi won his second Cup in 2008 with the Buffalo Bandits and ended his career with three consecutive championships with Rochester from 2012-14. The championship years were the best, he said. In 2007, we just had a very tightknit group of guys who believed in each other and believed in our organization. We had one of the best years in NLL history. Then I look back to 2012-14, and we had some new faces, but we had the same type of atmosphere in the locker room.
Those teams were special to be a part of. During the Knighthawks historic run of three straight championships, Accursi scored 45 goals and added 63 assists for 108 points in 33 regular season games. In the postseason, the man they called No Mercy posted eight goals and seven assists in six games. Mike was such a great player because he has a high lacrosse IQ, solid work ethic and compete level, said fellow St. Catharines native and Knighthawks goalie Matt Vinc. He always seemed to play his best in big games. That was indeed true in the 2012 and 2013 NLL Champion s Cup Finals. In the 2012 title game, Accursi scored twice and assisted on another to spark a 7-0 run in the second half as the Knighthawks rallied for a 9-6 come-from-behind victory over the Edmonton Rush. In the team s 11-10 win over Washington in the 2013 NLL Finals, he scored one goal and assisted on the game-winner to help Rochester win back-to-back championships. He was the ultimate team player and a leader, said Knighthawks Hall of Fame coach Paul Day. He won everywhere he went. He was semi-retired and came out (of retirement) in 2014 and helped get us through some injuries. We were rewarded with a championship. It was a fitting end to a Hall of Fame career. On March 31, the Knighthawks players and fans will have the opportunity to honor one of the greatest players to ever play in the National Lacrosse League. According to Knighthawks defenseman Billy Dee Smith, who has known Accursi for over 20 years, there is no one more deserving than his longtime friend. We call him All-Pro because he is good at everything, he said. He should already be in the NLL Hall of Fame; he was the most clutch player to ever play in the NLL. In 2014, Accursi won his last Cup as he contributed to the team s success on and off the field. After being hired as the team s Lacrosse Operations Assistant, Accursi found himself called back into action midway through the season. On Feb. 1, he made team history as he traded in his suit and tie for his No. 44 sweater. In his first game back, he scored one goal and added one assist against the Edmonton Rush. Accursi would go on to score five goals and chip in one assist in four games, as the Knighthawks went 3-1 with him in the lineup. In his final game, he scored the game-winning goal in an 11-9 victory over the Colorado Mammoth. He finished the season back in the front office and raised his fifth Champion s Cup. Hungry for more? Join the club Social Club BY SENECA NEW MEMBERS SIGN UP TODAY AND GET A FREE BUFFET OR FREE MEAL* *Choice of $15 Food Credit at Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino or Free Buffet at either Seneca Niagara or Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino. Redeem one offer per person. Offer valid for new members only. Offer valid only during Social Club hours. See the Social Club for complete details. Must be a member of Social Club by Seneca to participate. Must be 21+ years of age. Valid membership and government-issued photo ID required. Other restrictions may apply.
Owner/Chairman: E. Stanley Kroenke President and CEO: Jim Martin Executive VP and COO: Matt Hutchings General Manager: Dan Carey Head Coach: Pat Coyle Assistant Coach: Chris Gill Assistant Coach: Dan Stroup Team Chiropractor: Dr. Ken Szarka Head of Sports Performance: Joel Raether Athletic Trainer: Maggie Yates Team Operations Manager: Adam Boettger Operations Coordinator: Cody Moll Scout: Jason Bishop Owner/GM: Owner/GM: Alternate Governor: VP of Lacrosse: President of Lacrosse Ops: VP of Player Personnel: Head Scout: Head Coach: Assistant Coaches: Assistant Athletic Trainer & Equipment Manager: Athlete Performance Coach: Curt Styres Curt Styres Gewas Schindler Paul Gait Jake Henhawk Jody Gage Stuart Brown Mike Hasen Pat O Toole Jason Johnson Mike Accursi Marshall Abrams Andy Secore Stephen Lobsinger Dave Sowden Dan Noble Goalies # Name GP W-L GAA SV% 39 Steve Fryer 9 1-0 7.21.855 45 Dillon Ward 13 8-4 10.85.787 Goalies # Name GP W-L GAA SV% 48 Matt Vinc 14 7-5 11.19.784 55 Angus Goodleaf 14 0-2 11.98.789 PLAYERS # Name Pos. GP G A Pts. LB 3 Tim Edwards D 13 3 3 6 72 4 Josh Sullivan D 13 1 0 1 25 7 Ryan Benesch F 13 28 44 72 69 8 Greg Downing D 13 1 4 5 34 11 Taylor Stuart D 13 1 8 9 58 16 Ryan Lee F 5 5 6 11 11 17 Chris Wardle F 11 11 14 25 33 18 Robert Hope D 13 1 6 7 103 20 Jacob Ruest F 13 17 35 52 47 23 Brad Gilles D 13 2 3 5 60 25 Brad Self T 12 3 7 10 46 27 Scott Carnegie D 9 0 2 2 24 28 Stephen Keogh F 11 20 15 35 39 35 Jeremy Noble F 13 18 45 63 42 51 Eli McLaughlin F 13 21 14 35 28 82 Joey Cupido D 13 11 7 18 83 88 Zack Greer F 10 12 16 28 34 94 Bryce Sweeting F 12 1 2 3 26 PLAYERS # Name Pos. GP G A Pts. LB 2 Paul Dawson D 14 1 5 6 51 3 Billy Dee Smith D 12 0 0 0 20 4 Graeme Hossack D 14 5 6 11 117 10 Brad Gillies D/T 13 6 11 17 52 11 Austin Shanks F 11 21 17 38 34 15 Joe Resetarits F 14 28 51 79 68 18 Jake Withers D/T 14 5 5 10 115 23 Cory Vitarelli F 14 20 18 38 70 27 Josh Currier F 12 14 11 25 27 29 Ian Llord D 14 1 3 4 57 37 Scott Campbell D 13 5 13 18 54 45 Luc Magnan D 14 2 11 13 68 47 Kyle Jackson F 14 30 26 56 54 56 Frank Brown T 9 1 6 7 28 66 Eric Fannell F 10 13 13 26 30 77 Quinn Powless F 5 3 2 5 10 79 Sid Smith D 14 0 5 5 62 88 Cody Jamieson F 14 19 53 72 58
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with LUKE LASZKIEWICZ Rochester Knighthawks forward Luke Laszkiewicz was one of the team s latest additions, re-signing with the team on March 8. The forward returned to the club that selected him in the fifth round (43rd overall) of the 2016 NLL Entry Draft. The Robert Morris product, who attended training camp in November, was enjoying a successful stint in the Arena Lacrosse League (ALL), where he notched six goals and six assists in six games. The Knighthawks took notice and signed the righty forward to a one-year deal. Laszkiewicz is currently on the practice squad and working hard to get back into the starting lineup. Last season, he made the most of his opportunities, collecting two goals and two assists in two games. In this edition of the Q&Eh?, we learn about his off-the-floor traits and what makes Luke Laszkiewicz genuinely Canadian. 1. What sport did you play first, hockey or lacrosse? I started skating (dragged or pushed around on skates) at age 3. Then I started playing both hockey and lacrosse the following year. 2. What is the craziest thing you have put maple syrup on? Sorry to disappoint, but I don t get too crazy with it. Maybe (I used it) a few times on fries when I needed my fix. 3. Have you ever seen a moose in your backyard? Unfortunately, no. I live in a suburb. But if that day ever comes, I d be pretty pumped and tell everyone I know. 4. What is your favorite Canadian phrase? I m sticking with Eh on this one. I only notice when someone points it out, which just happens when I m in the States. 5. Where is the best place to get poutine? Smokes Poutinerie in Oshawa is pretty good. You can get pretty crazy with the topping selection to keep it interesting. Just be sure you have time after you eat to nap it off. 6. Do you eat your French fries with or without vinegar? I am a bigtime malt vinegar fan. If it s not poutine, then it s malt vinegar with fries. 7. What is your favorite Tragically Hip song? The song Bobcaygeon has a great Canadian vibe to it, but anything by The Hip is gold in my book. 8. Can you go an entire day without apologizing? I find myself slipping out sorry a few times too many, but that s not a big problem.
9. On average, how many times a day do you go to Tim Hortons? I have never been to Tim Hortons, but if it s half as good as Timmies, I ll be sure to check it out. 10. What is your favorite flavor of potato chip? I speak for many Canadians when I say All Dressed chips. They are perfect chips for every occasion. 11. Why do you wear No. 73? I wore number 37 in college, but another Knighthawks player was wearing it, so I was out of luck. I wanted to keep the 3 and 7, so I switched it up to 73. 12. Bag of milk, or carton of milk? Bags are the future. Not shocking Canada adopted this one first. Sorry. 13. Leafs or Canadiens? Toronto wins the battle of Ontario. Ask anyone living outside of Montreal, and I think they will agree. 14. Favorite athlete growing up? I hate to say this, but I never really had a favorite player growing up. I was more a fan of the game (or whichever sport was playing). While playing video games, I do stay true and pick the Leafs. 15. Best Canadian musical artist of all time? We can switch this question to best musical artist of all time because it s one in the same, Biebs (Justin Bieber) is taking it. It s smart to get fit at Harro East! Try it out for free! Mention this Knighthawk s ad and we ll give you a free 2-week pass. Fitness Floor Cardio Floor Cycling Yoga Indoor Track Basketball Racquetball Squash Pickleball Always-Free Classes Aquatics water aerobics, whirlpool Amenities steam and sauna rooms, lounge, towel and laundry service, salon Professional trainers with over 20 fitness classes each month! Free parking Guest pass privileges 585-546-1000 HarroEast.com Two New Brands From Your Hometown Favorite Zweigle s is proud to introduce Mama Camardo s Fine Foods and Savory Sensations, two great new product lines from one of Rochester s oldest and most trusted brands. Mama Camardo s is a new line of gourmet Italian food including meatballs, toppings and a wide range of convenient ready to eat entrees. Savory Sensations will include breakfast sausage links, patties and a variety of fully cooked meal solutions. All Mama Camardo s and Savory Sensations products are fully cooked for convenience and are full of the home made quality and taste that are sure to be a hit with your family and friends for every occasion. Coming Soon To A Retailer Near You! For recipes & more visit us at: www.zweigles.com Connect With Us:
JOIN OUR LIGHT SHOW! Step 1. Download our app (if you have not already) Go to the App Store or Google Play. Search Knighthawks and download Step 2. Tap MENU and select Light Show (If you do not see this Light Show option force quit the app and re-open) Step 3. From the menu bar (three lines in the upper left corner) select JOIN THE LIGHTSHOW and that s it! **Please make sure you allow the app access to your phone s microphone if access is not allowed your camera light will not be able to sync with any sound A local business serving the Rochester community for over 80 years! Top Brand Name Appliances, Furniture and Mattresses Proud Sponsor of the Rochester Knighthawks Call Today! (800) 244-0405 3200 Lake Avenue Rochester, NY 14612
GILLIES IS TRANSITIONING INTO AN ELITE PLAYER Rochester Knighthawks players are committed to the team s success, but some try to go above and beyond the traditional expectations. That s where Brad Gillies comes in. In his third season with the Knighthawks, he has been a steady leader among all the veterans on the roster. By Justin Maybach with the team and the city. As a transition player, he is counted on to play tough defense and create scoring opportunities. Last year, he finished second on the team with 90 loose balls. He also had a career-high four-game goal-scoring streak and scored two game-winning goals. Gillies recently set season-high marks for himself with 11 assists and 17 points. His best game of the season was on March 10, when he registered a goal and two assists at home in a win against the Georgia Swarm. Off the turf, Gillies has another important job. He currently works in the Knighthawks front office as the Lacrosse Academy Manager. The Oakville, Ontario native likes this job because he enjoys hearing kids talk about how much they love box lacrosse. Gillies has also been a mentor for rookies Eric Fannell, Austin Shanks and Jake Withers. All three of them played together at Ohio State and were drafted by the Knighthawks this past fall. Withers claims this season has exceeded his expectations. Gillies helped us get out there and give back to the city, he said. He s been kind of like a boss to us, and he s always the guy that we can go to for advice. Shanks is also very appreciative of the support that Gillies has provided this season. It s nice having someone down here who knows what they re doing and can help Gillies was already familiar with the city of Rochester, as he spent his college years playing field lacrosse at RIT while studying biomedical sciences. He was aware of the options Rochester had in the draft and knew he wanted to continue living in the area. I loved the school, Gillies said. When the Knighthawks drafted me, it was a pretty amazing feeling knowing that I d be able to keep living in this city. The 26-year-old has called Rochester his home for the past seven years, which has helped him develop a great relationship CELEBRATING 75 Y E A R S 75 years of solid commitment to youth and families has established the Villa as a leader in trauma-informed, trauma-responsive care. 585-865-1550 villaofhope.org
us, he said. The leadership and community support that Gillies demonstrates earned him a share of the team s community service award in 2017. I m trying to take a little bit more of a leadership role, he said. When guys move down here, I m doing my office job and showing these guys what that role looks like. It s been a good experience, and I hope they re enjoying it. With Gillies onboard for years to come, it s easily assured that he will guide many other lacrosse players in the right direction. JOIN OUR MAILING LIST When you join our mailing list we will send you the latest news, exclusive offers, sponsored deals & more! To scan the code either open your code reader app, or if you have an iphone open your camera, point it at the code and receive a prompt to open the form. Become a mug club member and tap into great deals Purchase yours today at our team store! ONLY $22.00 Each mug comes with a punch card for buy one get one half off *Restrictions Apply KNIGHTHAWKSTEAMSTORE.COM
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