Pegula Sports and Entertainment named Dan Carey the first General Manager and Vice President of Lacrosse Operations for the Rochester Knighthawks on Dec. 13, 2018.
In his new role, Carey will manage and oversee all aspects of lacrosse operations for the newest National Lacrosse League franchise, including team services, player acquisitions and contracts, and personnel development.
Carey joins the Knighthawks after spending the previous 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 37-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.
Carey is also 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 last year’s World Lacrosse Championship.
Carey currently resides in Farmington with his wife, Lisa, and their two kids, Nina (5) and Kelson (2).
Mike Hasen leads the expansion-era Rochester Knighthawks in their inaugural season in 2019-20. The Toronto, Ontario, native is certainly no stranger to Rochester, having served as head coach of the former Knighthawks franchise since the 2011 season. In nine seasons behind the bench, Hasen guided Rochester to an 81-75 regular season record while leading the team to six playoff appearances (2011-15, 2018).
The Knighthawks also finished among the top two teams in the East Division six different times under Hasen, including each of the first five seasons (2011-2015).
Hasen is currently eighth in National Lacrosse League history in wins and remains the former franchise’s all-time leader in playoff wins (15) and regular season wins (81).
Hasen’s 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 remains the only NLL bench boss to accomplish the feat. For his efforts the past several seasons, the Knighthawks voted Hasen the winner of the 2015 Wolf Pack Award, which goes to the person who has shown outstanding dedication and commitment to the team.
In 2014, he guided Rochester to the top of the East Division with a 14-4 record, which was the second-best mark in the NLL. Rochester went 12-1 within the division and posted an 8-1 record at home. He capped off the season by defeating the Calgary Roughnecks in the NLL Championship Series.
During the 2013 season, he became the first-ever Rochester coach to lead his team to consecutive titles, following an 11-10 victory over the Washington Stealth in the Champion’s Cup Finals. In 2012, he guided Rochester to its first NLL Championship since the 2007 season.
In 2011, he made league history with his selection as the NLL Coach of the Year, becoming the first rookie head coach to win the Les Bartley Award. That season, the Knighthawks returned to the playoffs for the first time since the 2009 campaign. The team ended the regular season on a four-game road winning streak and finished in a three-way tie for first in the East Division at 10-6.
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.
Hasen was also named to the Canadian All-Star team for the inaugural NLL All-Star Game in 1999. Before arriving in Rochester, he played with the Buffalo Bandits from 1996 to 1999. He tallied 45 points (10+35) in four seasons with Buffalo and was honored as the Bandits’ top defensive player in 1997. He was also selected the Unsung Hero of Buffalo’s 1996 MILL championship team.
Hasen also excelled in the Ontario Lacrosse Association’s Major Series. He was a member of the 2003 and 2004 OLA champions during his playing days. He also captained the Mann Cup champion Excelsiors in 1998 and 2002. Hasen won the Merv McKenzie Award as the Most Valuable Defensive Player four times. In the summer of 2008 and 2009, Hasen was the defensive coach for the OLA Senior “A” Brampton Excelsiors, as the team captured back-to-back Mann Cups.
In 2010, Hasen was elevated to head coach of Brampton. In his first season, he led the Excelsiors to within one win of the Mann Cup Finals. In 2011, he capped off an amazing year by leading the third-place Brampton Excelsiors to a Major Series Lacrosse crown and the 2011 Mann Cup Championship. In 2015, he took the Peterborough Lakers to the Mann Cup. Later that summer, he coached Team England to a fifth-place finish at the FIL World Indoor Lacrosse Championship. Four years later, he was named an assistant coach for Team Canada at the 2019 FIL World Indoor Lacrosse Championship.
In the summer, Hasen coached the Jr. “A” Brampton Excelsiors and the MSL’s Peterborough Lakers. In the spring of 2019, he was inducted into the Brampton Sports Hall of Fame.
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).
Hasen resides in Toronto with his wife, Melissa; son, Austin; and daughters, Karlie and Lexie. He owns and operates The Box Lacrosse Store.
Pat O’Toole joins the expansion-era Rochester Knighthawks for their inaugural season in 2019-20. The Brampton, Ontario, native spent the past nine seasons as the assistant coach of the previous Rochester Knighthawks.
During his tenure, Rochester has made the playoffs five times and won a league-record three straight Champion’s Cups from 2012-14. In 2015, he also worked alongside Mike Hasen as an assistant coach with Team England at the FIL World Lacrosse Championship.
O’Toole, who oversees the defense, 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, O’Toole 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 is Rochester’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 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. O’Toole would then sign with the Knighthawks as a free agent on January 23, 1999, and the rest, they say, is history.
O’Toole resides in Brampton with his wife, Lynne, and their son, Connor and daughter, Kayla.
Jody Gage begins his first season as the Director of Scouting for the expansion-era Rochester Knighthawks. Gage has a proven track record of success in the National Lacrosse League dating back to his years with the original Knighthawks franchise.
Gage most recently served as vice president of player personnel for the previous Knighthawks and helped lead the team to an unprecedented three straight NLL championships from 2012 to 2014. Gage also served as the team’s general manager when Rochester reached the National Lacrosse League Finals in 1999, 2000 and 2003 -- and won the 1997 Major Indoor Lacrosse League title and the 2007 National Lacrosse League crown.
Gage’s extensive lacrosse background also includes eight seasons as general manager of the former Rochester Rattlers of Major League Lacrosse. He was responsible for assembling the roster that captured the Steinfeld Cup in 2008.
Gage holds a dual role as the Director of Strategic Planning for the AHL’s Rochester Americans and has been a staple of the Amerks front office since the 1995-96 season. The role is Gage’s fourth within the organization, having previously served as Assistant General Manager, General Manager and Director of Player Personnel during his tenure in the front office following his retirement as a player.
During Gage’s 13 seasons as the team’s general manager, he saw nine teams reach the finals (three hockey, six lacrosse). The Amerks advanced to the Calder Cup Finals in 1999 and 2000, and he was the Assistant General Manager when the Amerks won the 1996 Calder Cup.
In 1998-99, the AHL awarded him the James C. Hendy Award as the league’s outstanding executive. Gage assembled a team that won both the AHL Empire Division Championship and the Western Conference Championship and earned a berth in the 1999 Calder Cup Finals. The 1998-99 Amerks broke franchise records for most wins (52) and most points (111), and league records for fewest goals allowed (176) and fewest road goals allowed (86). In 2004-05, the hockey team rewrote the record books, setting franchise records for points (112), shutouts (9) and consecutive wins (17). That Amerks team also won the regular season points title, while wrapping up the North Division and Western Conference.
Gage received one of the highest honors of his career in 2006, as he was inducted into the inaugural class of the AHL Hall of Fame. He joined legends Johnny Bower, Jack Butterfield, Fred Glover, Willie Marshall, Frank Mathers and Eddie Shore. The ceremony was conducted at the 2006 Rbk Hockey American Hockey League All-Star Classic in Winnipeg, Manitoba (January 31st to February 1st). In January of 2010, Gage was enshrined into the Knighthawks Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2010. With the honors, Gage enters the Hall of Fame as the only person to now grace the Hall of Fames for two Rochester professional sports teams: the Knighthawks and the Rochester Americans.
Because his name is synonymous with AHL stardom, he was able to acquaint himself quickly with his peers off the ice, and it did not take long for him to earn a reputation as a well-respected, savvy hockey GM. In his first season, Gage’s team captured the Amerks’ first division title since the 1990-91 season, making him the first Amerks’ GM in team history to win a division title in his inaugural season.
It was no surprise that he achieved success, having been involved with three Calder Cup championship teams during his pro career. He was a member of the Adirondack Red Wings Calder Cup team in 1981, the Amerks squad in 1987, and was Rochester’s Assistant GM when the Amerks secured their sixth Calder Cup in 1996, having retired during the season due to lingering knee ailments.
Originally a third-round draft selection (45th overall) of the Detroit Red Wings in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft, the Toronto native spent six seasons in the Detroit organization before signing a free-agent contract with the Buffalo Sabres on July 31, 1985. Gage would spend the rest of his career in the Sabres and Amerks organizations, signing his final contract with the Amerks on August 23, 1995, just a few months after Steve Donner purchased the Rochester club from Buffalo in June 1995.
Dubbed “Mr. Amerk” during his 11-year career in Rochester, Gage finished as the Amerks’ all-time leader in goals, assists, points and games played. He holds the Amerks’ record for game-winning goals in one season (9, 1987-88) and goals/points by a right wing in one season (60/104, 1987-88). Gage is one of just three players to record 500 career AHL goals and 1,000 career AHL points, and his 17 AHL seasons tie him for third in league history. Some of his other AHL accolades include the 1987-88 AHL MVP award and a berth on the First Team All-Star squad. He also earned AHL First Team All-Star honors following the 1985-86 and 1990-91 seasons, a place on the AHL’s All-Time Team in 1992 -- as chosen by the media -- and selection as the U.S. Team Captain for the AHL All-Star Game in 1995. Gage also holds AHL records for the two fastest short-handed goals in one game (8 seconds, 3/25/89), the most 40+ goal seasons (7), and the most playoff goals (51) in AHL history.
In 1999, he was inducted into the Amerks Hall of Fame. On March 19, 1999, Gage and Dick Gamble had their No. 9 retired, joining Norm “Red” Armstrong as the only players in team history to receive that honor.
Gage (born 11/29/59) resides in Chili with his wife Charlotte. The couple has a son, Ryan, and a daughter, Stefanie, as well three grandsons, Joseph, Teddy and Gordon. Gage is an avid and accomplished golfer and enjoys spending time with his family.
Craig Rybczynski enters his 21st season in the National Lacrosse League in 2019-20 as the Rochester Knighthawks' Lacrosse Operations Manager. Rybczynski also serves as the team's play-by-play broadcaster.
In his new role, he will work closely with General Manager and Vice President of Lacrosse Operations Dan Carey and oversee the overall game operations and logistics for all lacrosse events. His primary responsibilities include monitoring news sources to stay up-to-date with the changing lacrosse environment, assisting in travel accommodations and player payroll and overseeing game day operations for the building, league officials and the opposing team. He will also maintain all alumni connections and communication, assist with youth programming and connect players with various team promotions.
Rybczynski previously served as the Knighthawks' director of communications for 20 seasons. In 2018-19, he was voted the winner of the team's Seventh Man Award, which recognizes hard work and commitment. In 2006, he was named the NLL's Public Relations Executive of the Year.
This past season was his 18th as Rochester's play-by-play broadcaster. Rybczynski is the longest-tenured broadcaster in National Lacrosse League history, and in 2018 established a league record by calling his 300th straight NLL broadcast.
In 2015, he was a member of the media team for gold-medal winning Team Canada at the FIL World Indoor Lacrosse Championship. It was his second appearance at the Worlds, having previously worked as the media relations manager for the United States National Team at the 2011 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship in Prague. For five seasons (2010-14), he also managed the media relations for the Bowhunter Cup, which was an annual lacrosse game between the Iroquois Nationals and the United States.
His past experience also includes serving as the director of communications for the Hamilton Nationals and Rochester Rattlers of Major League Lacrosse. From 1999 to 2011, he managed the communications department for the Rochester Americans (American Hockey League). Prior to working for the Amerks and Knighthawks, Rybczynski spent two years as the assistant sports information director at Mercyhurst University. His duties included teaching two classes in the college's communications department and serving as the sports information director at the junior college, Mercyhurst North East. At Mercyhurst, his hockey media guides were honored three times as "Best in the Nation" by the College of Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
Rybczynski has a B.A. in communications from Mercyhurst University and a master's degree from Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. He graduated in 1996 from Newhouse with a degree in newspaper journalism. The Buffalo, N.Y., native is a 1991 graduate of St. Francis High School.
Rybczynski currently resides in Greece with his wife, Amy, and sons Jacob and Carter.
Brenden Dobbins begins his first season as the head Equipment Manager of the expansion-era Rochester Knighthawks in 2019-20.
Dobbins, a native of Massena, NY, previously served as the assistant equipment manager for two seasons with the former Knighthawks organization.
Dobbins earned a Sport Management degree from St. John Fisher College in 2018 and currently works as a Customer Service Representative for Paychex.
He resides in Rochester.
Stephen Lobsinger brings a great deal of clinical and field experience to the expansion-era Rochester Knighthawks. The 2019-20 season will be his ninth in Rochester as the team’s Athletic Trainer. During his tenure with the previous Knighthawks, the team won three National Lacrosse League championships (2012-14).
Lobsinger resides in Guelph, Ontario, and owns Atlas Athletic Therapy, located in the Guelph Naturopathic Medical Clinic. The common conditions he treats include headaches, concussions, migraines, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, low back pain and post-surgical repairs of the shoulder and knee. Lobsinger is a graduate of Kinesiology from the University of Waterloo (2002) and owns a Sports Injury Management degree from Sheridan College (2005). In 2015, he earned a diploma in osteopathic and manual practice (D.O.M.P) from the Canadian College of Osteopathy in Toronto.
Since 2005, he has worked in the field with numerous competitive lacrosse teams, including the Kitchener-Waterloo Kodiaks of Major Series Lacrosse and the Chicago Shamrox of the NLL. He was also an assistant athletic therapist at the University of Waterloo from 2006-09. In 2009, Stephen was named the head athletic therapist for the Toronto Nationals of Major Lacrosse League and moved with the team to Hamilton in 2011. His teams have also achieved success as the KW Kodiaks won the 2005 President’s Cup Senior “B” National Championship and the Nationals won the 2009 MLL Championship. He was also part of the 2013 and 2014 back-to-back Mann Cup champion Six Nations Chiefs.
Internationally, Lobsinger has served as the head athletic therapist for Team Canada at six world championships. He won a silver medal with Team Canada at the 2010 and 2018 FIL World Field Lacrosse Championships, and captured gold at the 2011, 2015 and 2019 FIL World Indoor Lacrosse Championships and at the 2014 FIL World Field Lacrosse Championship.
He has been honored three times for his work in the field, earning the Brian Farrance Award for Outstanding Contribution in Therapy (University of Waterloo, 2002), the First Responder Award for Dedication and Leadership in Emergency Care (Sheridan College, 2004), and being named a Sheridan Scholar (Sheridan College, 2005).
Tom Cincebox enters his 25th season with the Rochester Knighthawks in 2019-20 and first as the team’s Operations Assistant. For the past 11 years, he served as the director of player relations for the previous Knighthawks franchise. For 13 seasons, he was one of the club’s assistant coaches, having joined the team in its second year of existence back in 1996. Cincebox was only one of two men to work for all five Knighthawks championship teams (1997, 2007, 2012-14).
He also has one coaching win to his credit. On Feb. 28, 1998, he was forced to lead the team against the first-place Baltimore Thunder due to league-wide immigration problems that prevented Canadian-born coaches and players from participating. Thus, the Knighthawks hit the floor without then-head coach Paul Day and a handful of players. That night, Cincebox – with a team of recently signed players and American-born players – pulled off one of the biggest upsets in team history, winning 15-14.
Cincebox played his college lacrosse at Nazareth from 1985-89 and was honored with the 1989 Nazareth Lacrosse Block “N” Award. After graduating, he worked as an assistant coach for the Golden Flyers from 1993-96 and was Chairman of the Nazareth Sports Hall of Fame. Further, he founded the Rochester Lacrosse Club and is active in the Rochester Chapter of the Lacrosse Foundation. In 1998, he was the recipient of the Monroe County Section V Lacrosse Man of the Year Award.
Cincebox resides in Pittsford with his wife, Becky. The couple has one son, Thomas, who currently serves as the team’s assistant equipment manager, and three daughters, Brooke, Courtney and Grace. He remains very active with Pittsford Youth Lacrosse.
| Executive Staff | |
| Owner | Terry Pegula |
| President | Kim Pegula |
| Vice President of Business Operations | Chad Buck |
| Communications/Media & Community Relations | |
| Senior Director of Public and Media Relations | Warren Kosel |
| Public and Media Relations Coordinator | Ryan Harr |
| Multimedia Journalist and Sideline Reporter | Andrew Mossbrooks |
| Play-by-Play Broadcaster | Craig Rybczynski |
| Color Analyst | Brendan McDaniels |
| Team Photographer | Micheline Veluvolu |
| Medical | |
| Team Doctor | Dr. Ilya Voloshin, M.D. |
| Team Doctor | Dr. Mark Mirabelli, M.D. |
| Team Doctor | Dr. Peter Obourn, M.D. |
| Team Chiropractor | Dr. Donald Dudley, D.C. |
| Team Chiropractor | Dr. Jennifer Spitzer, D.C. |
| Business Development | |
| Director of Business Development | TBD |
| Coordinator of Partnership Services | Matthew Crowley |
| Corporate Partnership Sales Associate | Dan Capriotti |
| Game Presentation | |
| Director of Game Presentation | Julie Mros |
| Game Presentation Coordinator | Francesca Marsallo |
| Marketing | |
| Director of Marketing and Digital Media | Natalie Immediato |
| Marketing Coordinator | Anne Tokarski |
| Digital Marketing Coordinator | Aleena Maryal |
| Video Production and Creative Services | |
| Video and Creative Services Manager | Evan Mikoll |
| Multimedia Specialist | Jacqueline Peterson |
| Graphics Designer | Nick Prinzing |
| Ticket Sales Operations | |
| Director of Ticket Sales | Tim Darrow |
| Manager of Ticket Sales | C.J. Scroger |
| Youth Lacrosse and Group Events Specialist | Bobby Heimrich |
| Group Events Specialist | Brian Krentzman |
| Group Events Specialist | Trenton Davis |
| Ticket Sales Executive | Ashley Myers |
| Ticket Sales Executive | Bryant Hinkley |
| Ticket Sales Executive | Jordan Balls |
| Ticket Sales Executive | Mike Cardone |
| Arena Operations | |
| Director of Arena Operations | Michele Crawford |
| Event and Operations Manager | Sarah Murray |
| Ticket Operations Manager | Tyler Smith |
| Merchandise | |
| Director of Merchandise | Mike Kaminska |
| Knighthawks Team Store Manager | Jackson Howe |
| Information Technology | |
| IT Support Specialists | Nathan Brozyna Mike Walker Chris McCormick |
| Human Resources | |
| Vice President of Human Resources | Erin Fierle |