Aside from losses, there are probably fewer things that frustrate a fan more than when their favorite player of their favorite team isn’t in the lineup. The frustration mounts when said fan wants to know why, but all they can find is that the player is “out with a lower or upper-body injury.”
Nothing more, nothing less. No timetable, no idea as to when the player will be able to return.
Much of this has to do with the athlete and team wanting to keep things hush-hush to the general public. Talking about injuries or illnesses often comes off as taboo in the sports world. In the case of Rochester Knighthawks captain, Dan Coates, however, the veteran defender wanted to be open and honest about what kept him off the floor.
“I had COVID in early December,” said Coates. “Over the weeks I was still having symptoms, so I was dealing with long COVID. You have a lot of symptoms and you’re not yourself, which really makes it tough emotionally. It was certainly not the easiest thing I’ve been through.”
The Saskatchewan Rush host the Rochester Nighthawks at Sask Tel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, December 09, 2023
After just three games, Coates was sidelined at the start of the season. Coinciding with his absence came the losses. After a 3-0 beginning, Rochester dropped six straight without its captain on the floor or bench. It made Coates’ internal struggles that much more difficult.
“The mental side is the toughest component. I’ve gone through an ACL injury and it’s the same thing. You kind of feel hopeless at times. You want to be with your teammates and in the trenches battling.”
“He puts the work in off the floor,” said Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen. “He puts the work in on the floor, and everything he does is for us. He keeps an extra level of accountability on our team.”
Coates battled numerous symptoms during his multi-month face-off with COVID. It wasn’t until early March that the St. Catharines, Ontario, native was able to get a stick back in his hands.
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 2: Rochester Knighthawks v Calgary Roughnecks December 2, 2023 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Micheline Veluvolu)
“It felt great to be back with the guys. The hardest part of it was being out on the sidelines and not being able to contribute to the team. It was about a month ago when I told our GM Dan Carey that I wanted to do a shootaround. I was kind of surprised how I felt on the floor. I took it as a win just being out there.”
“I’m still dealing with some stuff now, but I’m in a better place being back with the team. I’m a better person being here.”
“I think our leadership core is one of the best in the business,” said Hasen. “Coatesy wearing that ‘C’ for us makes him the alpha-male of our team. He’s the guy that we constantly point to. It’s seamless for him because he does everything so naturally. We’re at our best with him.”
And with Coates moving forward, the Knighthawks have to be at their best. It’s an uphill battle for Rochester moving forward. Four games in three weeks with all but one team sitting ahead of the ‘Hawks for playoff positioning.
The Saskatchewan Rush host the Rochester Knighthawks in Pre-season action at Sasktel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, December 09, 2023
“These are all playoff games moving forward,” said Coates. “We can’t look too far ahead, but we’ve talked about it. The only team we’re competing against is ourselves. We have to become a better team and focus on just winning each shift.”
It’s been a long season for Coates, primarily off the floor, but the ‘Hawks captain is doing his part to put COVID in the rearview mirror and focus on the road to the playoffs that’s ahead. Coates will celebrate his 37th birthday Saturday at Segar and Sciortino Field at the Blue Cross Arena when Rochester (6-8) hosts New York (7-8) in a critical matchup.
Lacrosse has been referred to as a medicine game and it’s acted as the antibiotic for Coates’ road to recovery. No matter what happens over these next three weeks, he can take solace in knowing he’s where he wants to be: on a lacrosse floor with a stick in his hands and a Knighthawks jersey pulled over his head.
“It means a lot. This game means a lot to me. It’s truly something special. I’ve traveled to places I never thought I would’ve gone to and experienced some great things. Doing this and being a part of the Rochester Knighthawks organization means the world to me.”
