The Rochester Knighthawks announced today that the team has agreed to a multi-year contract extension for General Manager and Vice President of Lacrosse Operations Dan Carey through the 2023-24 National Lacrosse League season.
“Since day one, Dan has been exactly what this franchise has needed to succeed and flourish in the National Lacrosse League and in the city of Rochester,” said Knighthawks Vice President of Business Operations Rob Minter. “He exemplifies all the right characteristics necessary to grow an expansion franchise both on and off the field. We couldn’t be more excited to reach an extension with Dan and look forward to his continued leadership for seasons to come as we work towards our ultimate goals of providing great entertainment for the community of Rochester and competing for a league championship.”
Appointed the first general manager in franchise history on Dec. 13, 2018, Carey is currently in his second season with the expansion-era Knighthawks, overseeing all aspects of lacrosse operations, including team services, player acquisitions and personnel development. His team is off to a 2-1 start, having already matched their total number of wins from their inaugural season through just three games into the 2021-22 season.
“It has been one of the best experiences of my professional career to be part of building the Knighthawks organization,” said Carey. “I’m grateful to our owners and leadership group for their continued trust and support. I’m fully committed to building a successful franchise and look forward to what our future holds.”
Carey joined the Knighthawks prior to the team’s inaugural 2019-20 campaign and was tasked with building the organization from the ground up. His aggressive and steadfast approach has been the catalyst of bringing top-level talent to Rochester and was evident from the start following the acquisitions of highly touted forwards Shawn Evans and Holden Cattoni with the team’s first two picks of the 2019 NLL Expansion Draft. The move returned Evans, a former two-time NLL MVP and NLL champion, back to Rochester after spending the first six years of his NLL career with the previous Knighthawks organization. Carey was equally aggressive in each of the past three NLL Entry Drafts, landing All-Rookie Team selection Ryland Rees second overall in 2019 before selecting Robert Morris University standout Ryan Smith, one of the most decorated lacrosse players in school history, with the third overall pick in 2020.
Other notable acquisitions include team captain and two-time NLL champion Paul Dawson, high-scoring forward Curtis Knight, former NLL Goaltender of the Year Evan Kirk and established veteran defenseman Dan Coates, who’s in his first season in Rochester following eight seasons with the Colorado Mammoth. Carey’s emphasis on player development continues to be at the forefront as evidenced by the number of rookies on his roster, most notably goaltending prospect Rylan Hartley.
Carey came to Rochester following three years with the NLL’s Colorado Mammoth, most recently serving as general manager. Named just the second general manager in Colorado franchise history on July 13, 2017, Carey was instrumental in assembling a Mammoth roster that posted two straight winning seasons, culminating in back-to-back postseason appearances. During the 2018 season, Colorado finished second in the Western Division with an 11-7 record, marking its second runner-up finish in three years, while advancing to the NLL’s Champion’s Cup Playoffs for an unprecedented eighth straight season.
The 39-year-old was elevated to general manager from his role as the team’s director of player personnel, a position he assumed in October 2015. In that role, Carey was responsible for overseeing all collegiate, club and professional scouting activities and operations, and worked closely with the coaching staff and team management to address the team’s on-field needs. He originally joined the organization as the team’s eastern scout following five seasons with the Mammoth as one of the most prolific and decorated players in team history.
A native of Peterborough, Ontario, Carey was the Mammoth’s first-round selection (seventh overall) in the 2005 NLL Entry Draft. He was named an NLL All-Star in each of his first three seasons in the league, and as a rookie, was instrumental in Colorado winning the Champion’s Cup in 2006. In 60 career regular-season games with Colorado, Carey scored 89 goals and assisted on 147 others before adding 25 points in 12 games with the Toronto Rock during the 2012 campaign to close out a six-year professional playing career. He posted his best season in the NLL in 2007 when he tallied career-highs in goals (32), assists (44), points (76) and points-per-game (4.75) before being named the recipient of the 2008 NLL’s Sportsmanship Award a year later.
Carey spent one season playing collegiate lacrosse at nearby Canisius College, leading the team with 30 goals and ranking second with 35 points during the 2005 campaign. He joined the Griffs after a stellar two-year career at Herkimer County Community College (HCCC), leading the Generals to the NJCAA national championship in 2003 and a national runner-up finish in 2004. As a senior, Carey scored 54 goals and recorded 95 points in 17 games while serving as team captain. For his efforts, he was named the 2004 HCCC Male Athlete of the Year and won league Most Valuable Player honors. Carey was also named an NJCAA All-American as well as an Academic All-American during his time at HCCC.
His extensive lacrosse resume also includes back-to-back Ontario Lacrosse Championships with St. Peter’s in 1997 and 1998 and a three-time Mann Cup champion with his hometown Peterborough Lakers. He helped the Lakers to three titles over a four-year span (2004, 2006, 2007) and was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2006 Mann Cup, Canada’s top prize in senior men’s box lacrosse.
Internationally, Carey also won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2007 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship and took home silver while serving as team coordinator for the Canadian men’s national team at the 2018 World Lacrosse Championship. In August of 2020, Carey was named general manager of Team Canada by the Canadian Lacrosse Association for the 2021 Men’s U-19 World Lacrosse Championship. The event was originally scheduled for July 9-18, 2021, at the University of Limerick in Limerick, Ireland, but was postponed in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
