(December 14, 2012)… The Rochester Knighthawks have completed a blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia Wings. The Knighthawks have acquired Dan and Paul Dawson and a first round pick in 2016 from the Wings in exchange for Paul Rabil, Jordan Hall, Joel White, Robbie Campbell and a 2014 second round pick.

Knighthawks Head Coach Mike Hasen was excited to add two premier players, who he has coached with the Brampton Excelsiors.

“It’s feels good. They are talented players and are also character guys on the floor and in the locker room,” said Hasen. “Curt (Styres), Landon (Miller) and Jody (Gage) are always trying to improve our team. They stay on top of things to always make us better.”

In Dan Dawson, Rochester adds one of the most prolific scorers in the game. The 31-year-old enters his 12th season in the NLL eighth on the all-time scoring list. Last season with the Wings, “Dangerous Dan” finished third in the NLL in points (103) and second in assists (78). He was named a First Team All-Pro and finished third in the MVP race. Dawson brings his scoring touch and leadership to the defending champion Knighthawks.

“You talk about wanting to be part of a championship organization, and you start with Curt and everything he has done for the sport and for lacrosse in Rochester,” said Dawson. “Just to be part of the defending champs is an honor. Paul and I are super excited and will do everything we can to keep the Cup in Rochester.”

The six-time NLL All-Star and seven-time NLL All-Pro Selection was the 2009 NLL MVP with the Boston Blazers. The Oakville, Ontario native has played in all 16 regular season games for 10 consecutive years (2003-12). Dawson has played in 171 games since 2002, scoring 871 career points with 346 goals and 525 assists. He also has notched 104 career playoff points (39+65) in 15 games. In his career, he has played for five teams, spending the 2012 season with the Philadelphia Wings.

Dawson has a penchant for winning championships, capturing four Mann Cups with the Brampton Excelsiors (2002, 2008, 2009 and 2011) and one with the Victoria Shamrocks in 2005. On the international scene, he has won gold with Team Canada at the 2007 and 2011 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships. He also claimed a silver medal in 2010 with Team Canada at the FIL World Lacrosse Championships.

Paul Dawson, who brings a tough defensive style to the Knighthawks, will join his brother in Rochester. The 27-year-old enters his seventh season in the NLL in 2013, and joins his fourth team. Originally drafted as a goaltender, the defenseman registered career numbers in 2012. Last season in Philadelphia, he was third in the league with a career-best 67 penalty minutes. He also collected 53 loose balls and forced eight turnovers. Now he joins one of the Wings’ fiercest rivals.

“Anytime you go to the defending champions it's obviously pretty exciting,” he said. “It's a great organization and they have a lot of history like the Wings, but anytime you can go to the best team, it's obviously a huge positive."

In 2011, Dawson notched a career-high five goals and 14 points (5+9). He grabbed a career-high 75 loose balls in 2010 with the Boston Blazers. In the summer, he has won two Mann Cups with the Brampton Excelsiors (2009 and 2010). He played 100 Junior “A” games with Burlington (2002-04) and Brampton (2005-06) as a goaltender. Dawson was drafted with the seventh overall pick in the 2006 NLL Entry Draft by the San Jose Stealth.

The 2012 World Champion Rochester Knighthawks will continue their preseason on Saturday, December 15th in a showdown against the Toronto Rock at the Bell Centre in downtown Montreal. The game will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the home of the Montreal Canadiens. Fans can catch the game on Sportsradio 950 ESPN and online at www.sportsradio950.com.