Suitor will play Saturday night for Rochester in Toronto against the Rock.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Knighthawks announced today that they have activated Andrew Suitor from the Injured Reserve List. Suitor is expected to play Saturday night as the Knighthawks battle the Toronto Rock at the Air Canada Centre.
“It’s Christmas in January; I have been wanting to play with these guys (for a long time),” he said. “As a guy who sits back and watches how hard this team is working and coming together, it’s an absolute pleasure to be able to join them. I can’t wait to finally wear a Knighthawks jersey.”
The 27-year-old Suitor, who was acquired by the Knighthawks on August 15, brings leadership and grit to the Knighthawks’ lineup. That combination is what prompted Knighthawks Owner and General Manager Curt Styres to trade for the well-decorated transition man.
“He is always one of the guys you hate playing against, but love playing with,” said Styres after making the deal.
In six seasons in the National Lacrosse League, Suitor has notched 44 goals, 38 assists, 477 loose balls and 143 faceoff wins in 74 games. In 2012, he was named NLL Transition Player of the Year and a First Team NLL All-Pro. That season, he registered career highs in points (26), goals (15), assists (11) and loose balls (120). In 2011, he was named to the NLL All-Rookie Team.
Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen has seen Suitor make great strides at practice and is looking forward to having him in the lineup.
“His mobility has been getting better every week and his strength and confidence has been growing,” said Hasen. “He brings grittiness and toughness (to the team). At the same time, he is capable of pushing the ball in transition and creating opportunities.”
Suitor spent the majority of his career with the Minnesota Swarm after being selected fourth overall in the 2010 NLL Entry Draft. While with the Swarm, he played in 64 games and posted 75 points, 428 loose balls and forced 87 turnovers. The Orangeville, Ontario native was dealt to the New England Black Wolves for Joel White in March of 2015 in a blockbuster deal that saw New England and Minnesota swap team captains. Suitor played in four games with his new team that season and suited up for six contests in 2016.
He is now ready to begin a new chapter in his career with the Knighthawks.
“This is a fresh start. I am not thinking about the past,” said Suitor. “I just want to have a future in Rochester and move forward with it.”