DAN DAWSON IS BACK
All-Time Great Is In For Record Breaking Season
Oakville, ON – Toronto Rock Owner, President and GM Jamie Dawick announced today that future NLL Hall of Famer Dan Dawson has agreed to a one-year contract. The signing is pending league approval.
“We’re excited to have Dan back,” said Dawick. “While the time off at this point in Dan’s career isn’t ideal, we know this isn’t a farewell tour. He’s got a lot left in the tank. Dan takes extremely good care of himself, and we know Dan is still capable of being the great offensive player we know him to be.”
The 39-year old is just 10 games away from breaking the NLL Most Games Played Record, 25 assists from breaking the Most Assists Record, and 64 points away from becoming just the second player to score 1500 Career Points.
“I don’t want to downplay anything to do with any records,” said Dawson. “To be in the company of some of the game’s greats is flattering. However, I hope my name isn’t even in the record books in 20 years because that means the game will have grown, with more games being played and more longevity. The records I’m close to breaking are attribute to my teammates and coaches who put me in the position to succeed and the athletic staff that have taken care of me for so long. In sports, it’s not just the athlete, it’s the team of people we have around us, and I’ve had the privilege of being aligned with great people including medical and coaching staffs throughout my career.”
The records and milestones are something that has everyone excited around the Rock organization.
“It’s great that he will have the chance to reach these milestones with the Rock and in front of family and friends, where he’ll tell you, it was truly meant to be,” said Dawick.
Dawson will turn 40 during week two of the 21-22 NLL season and all things considered, he’s not looking at the age milestone as something that will help determine the length of his career. As long as he can perform at a high level, he plans to continue play.
“My family life, my body and my job. Those are three of the determining factors on how long I’ll continue to play,” said Dawson. “As soon as one of those things begins to suffer, I’ll need to make that tough decision. My family loves going to the rink, my boys are involved in lacrosse and love going to games. It’s all something we reevaluate on a yearly basis. We like to think we can play forever, but I am aware that we cannot. If I can’t maintain that level of play, I’ll have to walk away.”
The lacrosse legend has almost done it all, but bringing a championship to Rock City would be the topper on a career that has already earned him official GOAT status.
“That’s how you want it to end,” explained Dawson. “Championships are why you play and I’ve been blessed and when you win, it’s pretty special. To do it in front of friends and family would be an absolute dream. It’s been a long time since my last championship and I want to end it on the right note.”
The Toronto Rock Home Opener is scheduled for Saturday, December 4 at Hamilton’s FirstOntario Centre. Tickets for the game are now on sale to the general public through ticketmaster.ca and torontorock.com.
For more information on Toronto Rock Season Memberships, please contact a Toronto Rock account executive at 416-596-3075 or visit torontorock.com.
