Suggate to coach Rochester Knighthawks

Despite guiding the Mississauga Tomahawks to a 2-20 record this past summer, Paul Suggate was rewarded with the vacant head coaching position of the National Lacrosse League’s Rochester Knighthawks earlier today.
The decision to hire the 59-year-old Suggate obviously had more to do with his past rather than what he did behind the bench of the perennially woeful Ontario Lacrosse Association Junior A team.
The Tomahawks finished dead last in the standings, while scoring the fewest goals and allowing the league’s most markers.
All those statistics were clearly ignored when the Mississaugan was introduced to the media at Rochester’s Blue Cross Arena today as the team’s fourth head coach in franchise history.
The Canadian and Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame member was introduced along with assistants Mike Hasen and Freeman Bucktooth.
“It is an honour to be surrounded by guys like (Rochester general manager) Regy (Thorpe), (former GM) Jody (Gage) and (new owner) Curt (Styres),” said Suggate. “They are high-calibre guys that are doing what they can to win a championship.
“My focus is simple: I want to be the best that I can and help the guys be the best that they can be,” added Suggate. “Each night we have to earn the right to be the best.”
Suggate takes over a team that won the 2007 NLL Champion’s Cup, before slipping to 8-8 this past season.
Prior to taking over the Tomahawks this past summer, Suggate had a stellar career as both a player and a coach.
He was known for his strong two-way play with the Maryland Arrows in the old NLL from 1974-75. In his first year with the Arrows, Suggate led the league in scoring with 115 goals and 124 assists. He also won the Minto Cup with the Toronto Lakeshores in 1970 and the Mann Cup with the Brantford Warriors in 1971.
After his playing career, Suggate continued to have success being named Coach of the Year at both the junior and senior levels, earning the honours in 1996 with Mississauga (Junior A) and in 2005 with St. Catharines (Senior A).
Suggate succeeds Ed Comeau, who left the Knighthawks to become head coach and general manager of the New York Titans.
The Knighthawks open their season Dec. 27 at Chicago and play their first home game under the new ownership on Jan. 10.
dwiner@mississauga.net