Regy Thorpe has stepped down as general manager of the Rochester Knighthawks but will continue his playing career, the team announced today.

In addition to his front office duties, Thorpe, the last remaining "Original Knighthawk," suited up for twelve Knighthawks games in 2009.

"I want to thank [Knighthawks owner] Curt Styres and the Knighthawks organization for giving me the opportunity this past year to learn a new side of the lacrosse business," Thorpe said.

"I was thrilled with the challenge and opportunity the job presented and I worked extremely hard to make the Knighthawks a better team."

Thorpe's one year as general manager was a particular eventful one for the perennially-successful Knighthawks. Among Thorpe's first personnel moves was the hiring of head coach Paul Suggate, who suddenly resigned two weeks before the start of the season.

The following day, Thorpe named Paul Gait as head coach, reuniting him with recently-unretired twin brother Gary. The Knighthawks limped to a 7-9 finish, the first sub-.500 season in team history, but snuck into the playoffs after failing to qualify the year before.

Thorpe's tenure as general manager ended with the embarassing forfeiture of two recent draft picks. Holdon Vyse (18th overall) was found to have two years of collegiate eligibility remaining, while Brendan Doran (28th overall) was signed and released by Toronto last year.

The Knighthawks insist that Thorpe considered resigning for several weeks and that the loss of Vyse and Doran was purely coincidental.

Thorpe returns to the full-time action as the Knighthawks' career lead in games played (193), penalty minutes (375) and loose balls recovered (966).