A lot of work was put in by Rochester Knighthawks newcomer Austin Hasen prior to taking on his first National Lacrosse League training camp this past month.
In order to acquire Hasen, the son of Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen, with the 18th overall in the first round of the 2022 National Lacrosse League Draft, Rochester general manager Dan Carey first had to agree to part ways with goaltender Joel Watson and Rochester’s second-round pick in the 2024 NLL Entry Draft, both of which went to the Las Vegas Desert Dogs. In return, the Knighthawks received the 18thpick and subsequently used it to select Hasen at 18th overall to conclude their picks in the opening round.
From that moment on, Hasen put his head down and went to work.
“I went out and got a personal trainer with a couple of guys that had the same goals as mine in making their teams and that definitely helped me in having guys push me as well. We’re not all teammates, but we were all working towards a similar goal.”
That work translated well to Hasen’s statline throughout the preseason. In three preseason matchups with Rochester, Hasen put up seven points on three goals and four assists.
And…Hasen’s first little taste of NLL action didn’t disappoint. In fact, the newcomer described the Knighthawks preseason action as, “exceeding expectations.”
“It almost exceeds expectations. It’s faster and stronger, and it does take a little bit to get used to. You’re just trying to play well enough and trying to perform to your expectations and, I think, it’s still a learning curve. It’s going to be a learning curve week in and week out.”
A nice pass and a pretty goal by Austin Hasen 👀 pic.twitter.com/3xr97QDusN
— Rochester Knighthawks (@RocKnighthawks) November 6, 2022
Lucky for Hasen, he has dad to lean on heading into his first season in the pros.
“He’s (Mike Hasen) been here and done it. You just got to open your ears and some things he’s going to say are probably not the things you want to hear all the time, but he’s being honest, and he wants what’s best, not only for the group, but as a dad for me as well.”
However, just because dad has been there every step of the way for Hasen doesn’t mean he had it easier than everyone else. In fact, Hasen admitted that his dad’s neutrality towards him fueled him to be at his best.
“There’s no extra give or take…you’re going to either earn it or you’re going to be out the door just like anyone else. So, it’s definitely one of those things that just kind of kind of makes me play better.”
Hasen most recently completed his senior season at Belmont Abbey College in 2022 with career-highs with 41 goals, 17 assists 58 and points while starting all 15 games. Additionally, Hasen was named the 2022 Conference Carolinas Offensive Player of the Year after leading the Crusaders in scoring in addition to recording 81.5 percent of his shots on goal. While Hasen also had seven caused turnovers and 14 groundballs, he earned himself a spot in the 2022 USILA Senior All-Star Game.
In 51 career games with the Crusaders, Hasen totaled 154 points on 113 goals and 41 assists and 45 groundballs.
Hasen is no stranger to being coached by his dad. A native of Brampton, Ontario, the young forward recently completed his first season with the Peterborough Lakers of Major Series Lacrosse, notching 23 points on 11 goals and 12 assists in 12 games while leading the team to its fourth straight Mann Cup championship. Hasen also played five seasons of Junior ‘A’ ball with his hometown Brampton Excelsiors, recording 207 points on 105 goals and 102 assists over 69 career games as well as 66 points on 28 goals and 28 assists in 30 playoff appearances.
Both teams Hasen was coached by dad.
While Hasen has officially made the team’s 21-man active roster heading into the 2022-23 campaign, he’s looking to bring his effort and work ethic each and every day to help himself and those around him.
“It’s going to be my effort.”
Hasen then finished with, “I’m going to try to work as hard as I can, and it’s not going to be for myself – it’s going to be for my teammates. It’s going to be to make anyone and everyone better around me, and that’s the biggest thing I’ll try to bring.”
The first of many for Austin Hasen 📸 pic.twitter.com/fnMlFD7fPw
— Rochester Knighthawks (@RocKnighthawks) November 9, 2022
The newest Hasen in Rochester, and the Knighthawks, kick off their third NLL season this Saturday, Dec. 3 on the road against the Georgia Swarm as part of the league’s Face-Off Weekend before returning home to host the Toronto Rock on Opening Knight on Saturday, Dec. 10 at Segar & Sciortino Field.
All 18 Knighthawks game this season will once again be available on Big 107.3 and ESPN+.
