(November 24, 2012)… Casey Powell is back in the city where it all began. The 2010 National Lacrosse League MVP agreed to a one-year deal today to play for the defending champion Rochester Knighthawks. The deal is pending league approval. (Photos by Larry Palumbo)

“I took a year off to get my life together. I know time is running out on my career,” said the 36-year-old forward. “It worked out that the Knighthawks picked me up in the Dispersal Draft. It’s great to finish my career where it started.”

Rochester originally drafted Powell with the first overall pick in the 1999 NLL Entry Draft. The former Syracuse University standout helped Rochester reach the NLL Finals both seasons he was with the Knighthawks. Powell enters his 10th season of professional lacrosse and his third season with the Knighthawks. 

In his NLL career, he has played in 119 games and recorded 254 goals and 341 assists for 595 points. He is a six-time All-Pro player and was the first American to win the league MVP award in 2010. Adding to his success, Powell was named to the 2011 All-World Team at the FIL World Lacrosse Championships and led the American’s offense with 16 goals and 15 assists in five games.

The Knighthawks acquired Powell in the Dispersal Draft of the Boston Blazers in September 2011 and are certain he will be a significant piece of the World Champion NLL team’s success over the next three seasons.

“I want to win. I am going to try to fit in and have the best training camp I can,” he said. “I just want to contribute.”

Powell’s extraordinary college lacrosse career at Syracuse University is what ultimately led him to his remarkable professional career. He is one of SU’s all-time best players and was named the Division I Attackman of the Year in 1998. Powell was a four-time All-American and a two-time National Player of the Year at Syracuse and led the team to the NCAA National Championship in 1995. Powell was named as a member of the NCAA All-Tournament team each of his four seasons with the Orange. He recorded an astounding 287 points for the Syracuse University lacrosse team during his collegiate career.

Along with his impressive indoor lacrosse career, Powell has made quite an impact in the outdoor Major Lacrosse League. He most recently played for the Hamilton Nationals and in 2011 led them to the Championship Game after scoring eight points in the playoffs. In 87 MLL games, Powell recorded 203 goals, including five two-pointers, and 191 assists for 399 points. He is a three-time MLL Champion, four-time All-Star and the league’s all-time point leader.

The 2013 season will mark the return of Powell to the NLL and the Rochester Knighthawks. He will hit the turf for the first time today at the team’s training camp.

“I am excited to come here more mature and more defined as an indoor player,” he said. “I am going to try to help the Knighthawks repeat.”