Rochester Knighthawks President and General Manager Dan Carey announced today that the team has re-signed Head Coach Mike Hasen and assistant coaches Pat O’Toole and Kyle Kallay to one-year contract extensions.
“We’re thrilled to have Mike, Pat, and Kyle back on our bench,” said Carey. “This is a dedicated group that has played a huge role in guiding us to three straight playoff appearances. With their leadership and experience, we’re looking forward to another exciting season with a great group of coaches.”
Hasen leads the franchise into its sixth season after leading the Knighthawks to a third straight tip to the National Lacrosse League Playoffs. This past season included a record-tying 10 win-season. The Knighthawks also won six in a row, tying the longest win streak in franchise history previously set during the 2022-23 campaign. For his efforts, he was selected as a finalist for the Les Bartley Award as the NLL’s Coach of the Year. The Brampton, Ontario, native sits fifth all-time in career coaching wins (113) and third in games coaches (238).
Hasen was excited to remain in Rochester, where he has worked as a player or coach since 1999.
“Rochester has always been home for me, and there’s nothing better than coaching in front of some of the best fans in the game,” said Hasen. “I’m excited for this new era with the Seneca Nation leading the way and proud to be back alongside Paddy and Kyle on the bench for another season.”
Hasen boasts a 34-50 record with the expansion-era Knighthawks as well as a 113-125 record all-time over his 15 combined seasons in Rochester. He previously served as head coach of the former Knighthawks franchise from 2011 to 2019. In nine seasons behind the bench with the original Knighthawks, Hasen guided Rochester to an 81-75 regular season record while leading the team to six playoff appearances. Hasen was named the NLL’s Coach of the Year in 2011 following his first season behind the bench.
His most successful run at the helm of the Knighthawks came from 2012-14 when he made National Lacrosse League history by leading Rochester to an unprecedented three straight Champion’s Cups. He was the first NLL bench boss to accomplish the feat.
On September 14, 2010, Hasen became the Knighthawks sixth head coach. Prior to his promotion, he spent two seasons as an assistant under Paul Gait (2009-10). He moved behind the bench after a stellar 13-year playing career, which included nine seasons in Rochester (1999-2007).
In February of 2011, Hasen was inducted into the Knighthawks Hall of Fame for his work as a player. He helped anchor the Rochester defense from 1999 to 2007, ending his career by winning the 2007 Champion’s Cup. At the time of his retirement, he ranked fifth in games played (114), loose balls (575) and penalty minutes (188). He served as the team captain for five seasons (2002-03 to 2007). In his career, he played in 150 games and recorded 23 goals, 82 assists and 704 loose balls. He was also named the team MVP in 2003-04 and was a two-time winner of the team’s Unsung Hero Award (2000-01 to 2001-02) and a three-time recipient of the Best Defenseman honor.
O’Toole completed his fifth season as an assistant coach with the expansion-era Rochester Knighthawks in 2024-25. He remains on the staff to coach a defense that includes alternate captain Ryland Rees, hard-hitting Tyler Biles, and one of the game’s top transition players in Matt Gilray.
O’Toole also spent nine seasons as the assistant coach of the previous Rochester Knighthawks franchise. During his tenure, Rochester has made the playoffs six times and won a league-record three straight Champion’s Cups from 2012-14. In 2015, he also worked alongside Hasen as an assistant coach with Team England at the FIL World Lacrosse Championship.
He made a smooth transition to coaching after a Hall of Fame playing career. Widely known as one of the greatest goalies in team and league history, the Brampton, Ontario, native announced his retirement on Dec. 23, 2010, following a 16-year professional playing career, the final 12 of which was spent in Rochester.
He posted an astounding 115-56 record with an 11.40 goals-against average and a .768 save percentage over 204 career games with the Knighthawks, Buffalo Bandits and New York Saints. He was a workhorse in goal, logging 10,285 minutes and finishing first overall in saves with 6,464. He also backstopped his teams to two championships, first with Buffalo in 1996 and then again with Rochester in 2007.
O’Toole finished his stint with the original Knighthawks as the franchise’s all-time leader in wins (102) and saves (5,756). In 173 games, he recorded a 102-51 record, an 11.21 goals-against average and a .771 save percentage. He revolutionized the game as he became a legitimate scoring threat, netting three goals as a Knighthawk, which is the NLL record for goals by a goaltender. O’Toole also chipped in 136 assists, hitting teammates with memorable floor-length passes.
He guided the Knighthawks to their second NLL championship (2007) and remains the previous franchise’s all-time leader in postseason wins (9) and saves (644). Additionally, he guided the Knighthawks to Finals appearances in 1999, 2000 and 2003. O’Toole was one of the keys to Rochester’s 17-2 championship season in 2007. He was popular amongst his teammates as he was three times voted the team’s MVP. He was also a two-time All-Pro and the league’s 2003 Goaltender of the Year. In 2013, he was named to the Knighthawks Hall of Fame and the NLL Hall of Fame.
O’Toole signed with the Knighthawks as a free agent on Jan. 23, 1999. He was originally drafted by the New York Saints in 1995. He played for the Buffalo Bandits and was a member of the 1996 MILL champion Bandits team. That season, he led the MILL in save percentage and was named the Bandits’ Best Defensive Player. Further, he was MVP of the 1996 MILL Championship Game.
Rounding out the staff is Kallay, who was elevated to assistant coach in 2023-24 after previously serving as a video coach and scout. Kallay oversees one of the NLL’s most dynamic offenses, which featured League MVP Connor Fields, Ryan Smith and Ryan Lanchbury. All three forwards were in the Top 20 in points last season. In 2024-25, Rochester finished third in the league in scoring with 228 goals.
The Orangeville, Ontario, native enjoyed a four-year collegiate career at Mercyhurst from 2009-2012 and helped the team capture the 2011 Division II National Championship. In 80 career games with the Lakers, he scored 80 goals and notched 26 assists for 106 points while recovering 52 ground balls. After recording a career-high 35 goals, 11 of which were on the man-up, in 2011, Kallay tied for the team lead with 25 goals and finished second in both points (36) and shots (75). Following his final season, he was named a Second Team All-East Coast Conference selection.
Kallay earned a degree in sports management and moved into the coaching ranks in 2012 at Mercyhurst. He spent two years in the sidelines with the Lakers, while also completing a master’s degree in organizational leadership with a specialization in coaching. Kallay then took his talents north of the border, joining the staff at The Hill Academy. He worked as an associate head coach of the prep team from 2014-2021, guiding the team to multiple No. 1 North American rankings.
During that time, he also coached the Orangeville Jr. “B” Northmen, winning the Founder’s Cup in 2016. In addition, he also served as the head coach of Team Puerto Rico at the 2024 World Box Lacrosse Championship.
