Gritty defenseman Cody Teichroeb signs a practice player contract with Rochester.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Cody Teichroeb is getting another shot at the National Lacrosse League after signing a practice player contract with the Rochester Knighthawks this past weekend. Last season, the 6-foot-1, 215-pound defender suited up in seven games with Vancouver.
“It’s awesome. I have been working really hard,” he said. “I am glad somebody’s giving me a chance to show them what I can do.”
Teichroeb, pronounced TIKE-robe, signed with Vancouver after being selected in the fifth round (41st overall) of the 2016 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft. The native of Westbank First Nation (British Columbia) took his talents to Toronto that summer and attended the NLL Draft Combine. His hard work paid off as he was selected by Vancouver. During his rookie season, Teichroeb collected two assists and 18 loose balls. He also attended Warriors’ training camp in December.
“He is a blue-collar defenseman who works hard and is not afraid to stick up for his teammates,” said Knighthawks forward Pat Saunders, who played with Teichroeb in Vancouver. “He is also a good locker room guy.”
“Cody brings a strong work ethic and toughness to our team,” said Knighthawks Owner and General Manager Curt Styres. “We are excited to see how he develops.”
Teichroeb’s finest summer preceded the draft, as he posted career highs in goals (three), assists (12) and points (29) for the Junior “A” Langley Thunder. He also played in his first games in the Western Lacrosse Association (WLA), appearing in four games with the Senior “A” Langley Thunder. The past two summers, Teichroeb has posted two goals and seven assists in 32 games with the senior team.
“Cody is a strong stay-at-home defender with upside,” said Knighthawks President of Lacrosse Operations Jake Henhawk. “We will look to him to add some physicality and strength to our back end when called on.”
Known for his toughness, Teichroeb began his road to the NLL by playing two seasons with the Junior “A” Thunder (2014-15). In 2015, the defenseman was eventually traded to the Okotoks Raiders Junior “A” team and helped them win a silver medal at the provincial championships. In 2016, he returned to Langley and served as the captain of the Thunder.
He played his minor lacrosse in Kelowna, B.C., which is one of the smaller centers in Canada. Teichroeb has used that as motivation when moving up the lacrosse ladder.
“When I took my shot at juniors, I had to work a lot harder to make the team and get the playing time I wanted,” he said. “I want to be one of the better players on the floor. I didn’t have the development as a kid, so I had to learn on the fly and grind it out.”
Teichroeb made his return to the NLL on Saturday after signing with Rochester. He had an opportunity to meet his new teammates before the Knighthawks hosted the Georgia Swarm. It was a quick turnaround as he flew to Rochester to join his second professional lacrosse team.
“I have been preparing for this for a while since I got released from Vancouver,” he said. “I am excited about being part of a Rochester club because they have such a good thing going and they have for a long time. The players who play here are awesome guys, and they all have amazing reputations. I am looking forward to learning a lot from those guys and doing my job on the team.”