He will be activated for Saturday’s game against the Rush.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Knighthawks announced on Saturday that they have signed forward Mike Burke to a one-year deal. The 28-year-old, who attended the team’s training camp, was added to the active roster for Saturday night’s game against the Saskatchewan Rush.
“Mike has earned another opportunity to show us what he can do at this level,” said Knighthawks Owner and General Manager Curt Styres. “He has all the tools to make an impact on the offensive side of the ball.”
At the time of his signing, Burke was leading the Paris RiverWolves in goals (6) and points (15) after three Arena Lacrosse League (ALL) games. The veteran forward admitted that he plans to make the most of his second chance.
“I appreciate the organization bringing me into camp, and I understand with the short camp how things go,” said Burke. “I am excited to do what they need me to do on the offensive end.”
This summer, he was also named the co-winner of the Bucko McDonald Trophy after tying for the top spot in Major Series Lacrosse with 68 points. Following a season in which he notched career highs in assists (51) and points with the Brampton Excelsiors, there are high expectations for the 6-foot-0, 189-pound forward.
“He is a proven goal scorer,” said Knighthawks assistant coach Mike Accursi. “We are hoping he can step into the lineup and add a spark to the offense and can contribute like he has everywhere else he has played.”
Burke returns to the Knighthawks, where he recorded five assists in two preseason games. He rejoins Rochester as it battles the Rush in a rematch of the 2018 National Lacrosse League Finals.
“It means a lot,” said Burke. “I want to get my feet wet right away. The good thing about playing in the ALL is that as an offensive player, I think I play every shift. I am in game shape and excited to get that opportunity against the team that drafted me.”
Burke was a third-round pick (28th overall) of the Rush in the 2012 NLL Entry Draft. As a rookie, he appeared in two games with the then Edmonton Rush and scored one goal during the 2013 campaign. The Brampton, Ontario, native spent his last two years with the Colorado Mammoth, where he collected 34 points from 2015-16. In his NLL career, he has 15 goals and 20 assists in 22 games.
Since last playing in the National Lacrosse League, Burke has competed in five pro seasons in Canada. From 2014-15, he was a member of the Southwest Cyclops of the Canadian Lacrosse League (CLax). In 2014, he was voted the league’s Rookie of the Year and a First Team All-Star after finishing third in scoring. The following year, he notched 24 points (8+16) in six games.
In 2017, Burke joined the Paris RiverWolves of the Arena Lacrosse League and posted 13 goals and 44 assists in eight games. In 2018, he was named the ALL MVP after notching 63 points in 10 regular season games. The RiverWolves’ captain added 22 points in three playoff games as Paris advanced to the ALL Cup Finals.
“Mike will have every chance to make the most of this opportunity,” said Knighthawks President of Lacrosse Operations Jake Henhawk. “He had a good start in the ALL, so we hope that confidence carries over to weekend in Saskatoon.”