ROCHESTER NY — The Rochester Knighthawks will look pretty much the same as last year’s National Lacrosse League semi-finalists with 17 Knighthawks returning, including star attacker Cody Jamieson who went down with a torn achilles tendon at a critical time in the playoffs —Game #1 of the conference finals against the Toronto Rock. Without “Jammer” the Knighthawks just could not fill the vacancy he left and were eliminated from what could have been their fourth Champions Cup in succession.
The surgery to repair the potentially debilitating injury took place on May 27th and he has been on a slow and steady rehab regimen since then. He is now pretty close to 100 per cent and will once again lead the K-hawks offence this coming season.
“I think with this type of injury you just have to take it one day at a time because it depends on how the body responds,” said Jamieson earlier this summer. “I am definitely not going to push it. … I am usually a pretty active guy, so I am looking forward to the rehab process, ditching the crutches and being able to do all the stuff that came naturally.”
Jamieson finished last season equaling his career high with 36 goals to lead the team with 92 points.
At 27, Jamieson still has a lot of lacrosse ahead of him although as he gets older in such a demanding sport, the body doesn’t heal quite as fast as when he was a rookie sensation breaking into the world’s highest level of lacrosse.
Although the injury kept him off the floor for most of the summer, Jamieson knows and embraces his profile to help others and to promote the game. Jamieson is quick to help his community of Six Nations as well as children’s programs elsewhere.
“I went to physicals and got the okay from my surgeon and got physically cleared. But I am going to take it slow,” he said in a media release. “There is no sense rushing it back, jeopardizing myself and having any setbacks. Even though I am cleared, I am going to take it slow and make sure everything is done right.”
Getting the official clearance to play from his doctor lifted a burden off the backs of the entire Knighthawks organization.
“Looking back at it last May, we weren’t expecting this,” said a much relieved Knighthawks head coach, Mike Hasen. “It’s been a lot of work, but it’s paid off so far. It’s going to be baby steps for him, but getting that report this time of year is great for him, great for us.”
It’s not just his goal scoring that Jamieson brings to the arena every game, he is also one of the finest playmakers in the league and recorded more assists than goals in four of his five seasons with the Knighthawks.
He was named the 2015 regular season Knighthawks Offensive MVP after leading the team with 36 goals and 92 points. He finished the season tied for the league-lead with four game-winning goals, and was only one of two Rochester players to record a point in all 18 regular season games.
Jamieson credits the encouragement from his many fans during the off season via social media, but it is his family that kept him motivated. “My family is everything,” he says. “I was bed-ridden for the first three weeks and (my fiancé) held the fort down while I got my feet under me. It was my parents, my friends and my whole family with all the support that they gave me. They were encouraging me to stay strong and have positive thoughts.”
He is even more determined than ever heading into the 2016 season.
“It’s going to be great,” he said. “I didn’t like how last season ended for the team or myself, so I’m going to do what I can to make it right.”
Joining Jamieson in the Knighthawks 2016 lineup are Six Nations’ Craig Point, goalie Brandon Styres, Adam Bomberry, and Sid Smith, along with Kahnawake’s Angus Goodleaf, and Ty Thompson of Akwesasne, among others.
The 2016 season begins for the Knighthawks on Saturday, January 9th, when they host the Colorado Mammoth at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester New York.
