Dan Dawson facts for kids

Dan Dawson (born December 11, 1981) is a retired Canadian professional lacrosse player. He was known as "Dangerous Dan" on the field. Dan played for the Toronto Rock in the National Lacrosse League (NLL). He also played for the Brampton Excelsiors (MSL) in Major Series Lacrosse.

Dan Dawson is one of the best lacrosse players ever. He ranks second in all-time NLL points. He was chosen as an NLL All-Pro seven times. He also won many championships. These include seven Mann Cups in Canadian box lacrosse. He also won one Major League Lacrosse (field) championship. With Team Canada, he won two World Indoor Lacrosse Championship titles. He was also a finalist in the 2010 World Field Lacrosse Championship. Dan won two Champion's Cups with the Rochester Knighthawks in 2013 and 2014.

Dan Dawson's NLL Career

Dan Dawson started his NLL journey in 2001. He was picked by the Columbus Landsharks. In his first year, he played 11 games. He scored 3 goals and had 3 assists. By 2003, he played 16 games. He set new personal bests in goals and loose balls.

In 2004, Dan helped Team Canada win the Heritage Cup. They beat Team USA. During the 2004 NLL season, he led his team, the Arizona Sting, in assists. He was second in total points. In 2005, Dan was one of the top scorers in the NLL. He finished seventh with 84 points. He was second in goals with 48. He scored three goals in his first All-Star game. He was also named a First Team All-Pro that year.

Dan was a top pick in special drafts. In 2008, he was chosen first by the Portland LumberJax. This happened after the Arizona Sting stopped playing. He led the LumberJax to the 2008 Champion's Cup final. When Arizona stopped operations again, Dan was picked first by the Boston Blazers.

During the 2009 NLL season, Dan was an All-Star starter. He and another player, Josh Sanderson, set a new league record. They both had 74 assists. Dan broke this record himself in 2012. However, another player, Garrett Billings, later broke Dan's new record.

After playing for the Philadelphia Wings, Dan moved to the Rochester Knighthawks. He was traded with his brother Paul. They joined the Knighthawks in a big trade. Dan also played one season for the new team, the San Diego Seals, from 2018 to 2019.

Dan Dawson announced his retirement on June 12, 2023. He played for 21 seasons in the NLL. He retired as the all-time leader in assists. He also played the most games in NLL history. He ranks second in total points and fourth in goals scored.

Major Wins and Championships

Dan Dawson has won many important championships throughout his career.

Mann Cup Victories

The Mann Cup is a major Canadian box lacrosse championship. Dan has won it many times.

• 2002: Member of Brampton Excelsiors (MSL), winners of the Mann Cup.
• 2005: Member of Victoria Shamrocks, winners of the Mann Cup.
• 2008: Member of Brampton Excelsiors (MSL), winners of the Mann Cup.
• 2009: Member of Brampton Excelsiors (MSL), winners of the Mann Cup.
• 2011: Member of Brampton Excelsiors (MSL), winners of the Mann Cup.

He also won the Bill Ellison Award twice. This award is for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the playoffs. He won it in the 2005 and 2006 WLA playoffs.

International Success

Dan also represented Canada on the world stage.

• 2004: Member of Team Canada, winners of the Heritage Cup (box lacrosse).
• 2007: Member of Team Canada, winners of the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
• 2010: Member of Team Canada, runner-up in the World Lacrosse Championship in Manchester, England.
• 2011: Member of Team Canada, winners of the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships in Prague, Czech Republic.

Awards and Honors

Dan Dawson has received several important awards for his outstanding play.

• NLL Sportsmanship Award: 2009
• NLL Most Valuable Player: 2009
• Champion's Cup MVP: 2014