Dan Dawson facts for kids

Dan Dawson (born December 11, 1981) is a Canadian former professional box lacrosse player. He played for the Toronto Rock in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) and the Brampton Excelsiors (MSL) in Major Series Lacrosse. Dan Dawson is known as one of the best players in lacrosse history.

He ranks second on the NLL's all-time points list. He was chosen as an NLL All-Pro player seven times. As a professional, he won the Mann Cup, Canada's top box lacrosse championship, seven times. He also won one Major League Lacrosse (field lacrosse) championship in 2009 with the Toronto Nationals. Representing Canada, Dawson won two World Indoor (Box) Lacrosse Championship titles. He was also a finalist in the 2010 World (Field) Lacrosse Championship. Dawson won two Champion's Cups with the Rochester Knighthawks in 2013 and 2014.

Dan Dawson's NLL Journey

Dan Dawson started his NLL career after being drafted by the Columbus Landsharks in 2001. In his first season, he played 11 games. He scored 3 goals and had 3 assists. By 2003, he played in 16 games and set new personal bests in goals and loose balls.

In 2004, Dawson helped Team Canada win the Heritage Cup (box lacrosse) against Team USA. During the 2004 NLL season, he was the top player for the Arizona Sting in assists. He was also second in total points for the team. In 2005 NLL season, Dawson finished seventh in the NLL with 84 points. He was second in goals with 48. He scored three goals in his first All-Star game. In 2005, he was named a First Team All-Pro player.

After the Arizona Sting and Boston Blazers stopped playing in 2008, Dawson was chosen first in a special draft by the Portland LumberJax. He led the LumberJax to the 2008 Champion's Cup final. When Arizona stopped operations again, Dawson was chosen first overall by the Boston Blazers.

During the 2009 NLL season, he was picked to start in the National Lacrosse League All-Star Game. Dawson and Josh Sanderson both set a new league record with 74 assists that season. In the 2012 NLL season, Dawson broke his own assist record. However, Garrett Billings later broke Dawson's new record with 82 assists.

After playing one season in Philadelphia, Dawson and his brother Paul were traded to the Rochester Knighthawks. This trade involved four other players, including Paul Rabil. Dawson played one season with 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 and games played. He was also second in total points and fourth in goals scored.

Canadian Lacrosse Achievements

As a junior player in 2002, Dan Dawson played for the Brampton Excelsiors Jr.A team. That same year, he joined the Brampton Excelsiors (MSL) and won the Mann Cup. In 2005, he signed with the Victoria Shamrocks. He helped them win their eighth Mann Cup. He won the Bill Ellison Award twice. This award is for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the playoffs. He won it in both the 2005 and 2006 Western Lacrosse Association (WLA) playoffs.

Mann Cup Victories

• 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

International Lacrosse Career

Dan Dawson also played for Team Canada on the international 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 Recognition

Dan Dawson received several important awards during his career: