Rochester will have one more preseason game on Dec. 2 vs Georgia at Six Nations.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Knighthawks announced their 20-man roster and four-man practice squad for the 2017-18 season. The Knighthawks enter the Dec. 9 season opener with a roster that has been solidified through the draft and via free agency.
“It was the most competitive camp we’ve had in a few years,” said Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen. “The youth pushed and the veterans pushed back, and every spot was earned. We are excited where we are at today with this new group, but we also know we have a long way to go.”
This year’s team features eight new faces, including four players who were taken among the first 14 picks in this past September’s National Lacrosse League Entry Draft. The addition of Jake Withers, Austin Shanks, Eric Fannell and Adam Perroni have helped the Knighthawks improve on offense, defense and in transition.
Withers, who was the second overall pick, gives Rochester a top-notch faceoff and defensive specialist. Shanks and Fannell will add firepower to the offense after being taken fifth and sixth overall, respectively. Rochester used the 14th overall section to take Perroni, who has demonstrated his athleticism and speed during the preseason.
Rochester also bolstered its lineup by signing free agent defensemen Eric Shewell, Greg Longboat and Billy Dee Smith, and transition man Mike Triolo. Smith, who played for Buffalo for 15 years, brings leadership and toughness to the lineup. The former NLL champion and Defensive Player of Year cannot wait to make his Knighthawks debut.
“I haven’t been this excited in a long time,” said Smith. “For me, it’s a fresh start. Everyone in the organization has the same goal, and there’s so much leadership on this team. Everyone holds one another accountable, and I know that will take us very far. There’s definitely something very special that we have here.”
The new additions with complement a solid core that returns from the 2017 campaign. The defense welcomes back Scott Campbell, Paul Dawson, Graeme Hossack, Ian Llord, Luc Magnan, Sid Smith and Dylan Evans, who will start the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Third-year pro Brad Gillies also returns to play both defense and transition. The team will once again be backstopped by the goaltending duo of Matt Vinc and Angus Goodleaf.
On offense, Dan Dawson, Quinn Powless, Joe Resetarits, Cory Vitarelli, Josh Currier, Kyle Jackson, Dan Lomas and Cody Jamieson are back for the teal and purple. Resetarits is coming off a career season in which he led Rochester with 66 points. Jackson and Currier enter their sophomore campaigns after being named to the 2017 NLL All-Rookie team. Currier and Vitarelli are both back from injuries and notched five points apiece in their 2017-18 preseason debuts. Jamieson, who will start the season on the injured reserve list, has also been making great strides to get back in the lineup.
“My thoughts on this upcoming year continue to be filled with excitement as we have a great group – both returning and coming in for the first time,” said Jackson. “Our pace of play this year caters to the athleticism of our forwards. From the moment training camp started, there was a different vibe. Having two huge additions back in the lineup has me intrigued to see the damage that we can do as an offense.”
Rochester will have one more tune-up for the 2017-18 season, as they battle the Georgia Swarm in preseason action on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 6:00 p.m. at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena.
The Knighthawks will open their regular season schedule against the Calgary Roughnecks on Saturday, Dec. 9 at the Connors & Ferris Field at The Blue Cross Arena. Individual game tickets can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, by calling 1-800-745-3000, and at The Blue Cross Arena Box Office. This season, the Knighthawks are offering a no per ticket service charge when purchasing on Ticketmaster.com.
If you’re interested in discounted group ticket offers or want to learn more about mini-plan and full season ticket packages, call (585) 454-4295 to speak with a Knighthawks representative.
The roster breakdown is below:
Forwards (8): Josh Currier, Dan Dawson, Eric Fannell, Kyle Jackson, Dan Lomas, Joe Resetarits, Austin Shanks, Cory Vitarelli
Defensemen (9): Scott Campbell, Paul Dawson, Graeme Hossack, Ian Llord, Luc Magnan, Billy Dee Smith, Eric Shewell, Sid Smith, Jake Withers
Transition (1): Brad Gillies
Goalies (2): Angus Goodleaf, Matt Vinc
Practice Squad (4): Greg Longboat, Adam Perroni, Quinn Powless, Mike Triolo
Physically Unable to Perform List (1): Dylan Evans
Injured Reserve List (1): Cody Jamieson