(December 7, 2012)… The last time Casey Powell suited up for the Knighthawks, and played at The Blue Cross Arena, Bill Clinton was President of the United States, “Maria Maria” by Santana was the No. 1 song on the pop charts and the New Jersey Devils were on course for their second Stanley Cup.

Powell, selected first overall by Rochester in 1999, notched two goals and two assists that night in a 20-14 victory over the Philadelphia Wings in the regular season finale. The former Syracuse University star concluded his second season with the Knighthawks with 12 goals and 16 assists in 10 games for 8-4 Rochester.

The Knighthawks and Powell earned a second straight trip to the NLL Finals after knocking off Buffalo in the semifinals. His final game in a Rochester uniform was in front of a national TV audience at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. Deemed one of the greatest lacrosse games in NLL history, the Toronto Rock defeated the Knighthawks 14-13 with one second left.

The contest would prove to be Powell’s last indoor game until the 2004 season as he focused on his professional outdoor career and his camp business. The native of West Carthage, NY reemerged four years later with the Anaheim Storm, which would signify his return to the NLL.

He played seven of the next eight seasons and made stops in New York, Orlando and Boston along the way. In his NLL career, he has played in 119 games and recorded 254 goals and 341 assists for 595 points. He is a six-time All-Pro player and was the first American to win the league MVP award in 2010.

Adding to his success, Powell was named to the 2011 All-World Team at the FIL World Lacrosse Championships and led the American’s offense with 16 goals and 15 assists in five games. On Saturday, Powell will return to the Knighthawks after achieving a lifetime of indoor accolades.

“When I started in ’99 I didn’t really fancy box lacrosse, but after years of surrounding myself with fantastic players and coaches I feel like I understand more about the game,” he said. “I am fresh and ready to go.”

Powell is back where he started his NLL career and has added motivation to succeed after falling one win short of a championship both years with the Knighthawks.

“I am excited to come here more mature and more defined as an indoor player,” he said. “I am going to try to help the Knighthawks repeat.”

That quest for a Champion’s Cup starts at 8:00 p.m. Saturday against the Minnesota Swarm.