Rochester promotes Luke Laszkiewicz from the practice squad to the active roster.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Knighthawks announced on Thursday that they have promoted Luke Laszkiewicz (LASS-ka-witts) to the active roster. The rookie forward was activated after transition man Andrew Suitor was placed on the Suspended List.
“I’ve been hitting every practice and working out with a couple of guys from the team all year,” said Laszkiewicz. “I am excited to finally be getting a shot.”
Laszkiewicz, who was a member of the team’s practice squad, was originally selected by the Knighthawks in the fifth round (43rd overall) of the 2016 NLL Entry Draft. Prior to making the jump to the pros, he played collegiately at Robert Morris University. In 2016, he wrapped up his senior season ranked second in the nation in goals per game (3.53) and fifth in points per game (4.60). At Robert Morris, he finished second in school history in goals (125), eighth in assists (42) and third in man-up goals (18).
Prior to heading to Pittsburgh to play for the Colonials, the Oshawa, Ontario native won a Minto Cup with the Junior “A” Whitby Warriors in 2011. It was a team that featured over a dozen future NLL standouts, including Mark Matthews, Shayne Jackson, Curtis Knight, Dan Lintner, Graeme Hossack and Ryan Keenan.
“All of those guys are now playing in the NLL,” said Laszkiewicz. “Back in 2011 I got that experience firsthand. It was definitely cool to play on a team so loaded with talented players.”
Recently, the 24-year-old has been playing for the Six Nations Snipers of the Arena Lacrosse League. In five games with the first-place Snipers, Laszkiewicz has posted 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points.
“Luke is a proven goal scorer at every level,” said Knighthawks assistant coach Paul Day. “He has good feet, good hands, and can shoot the ball. He has worked very hard this year and is ready.”
Laszkiewicz last played for the Knighthawks back on Dec. 10 in a 17-15 preseason win over Georgia. That night, he scored two goals and added one assist to finish the preseason with four points in two games.
On Saturday, he could make his professional debut when the Knighthawks host the Calgary Roughnecks at 7:30 pm at Connors & Ferris Field at the Blue Cross Arena.
“I think it’s going to be great,” said Laszkiewicz about the prospect of making his NLL debut. “I am going to have to worry about not being too excited and staying calm. But I am definitely going to be excited.”