Graeme Hossack agrees to a 3-year contract with Rochester.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Knighthawks announced on Monday that they have re-signed Graeme Hossack to a 3-year deal. The 2018 National Lacrosse League Defensive Player of the Year enters his fourth year with the organization after his most dominating season to date.
“It’s nice to have that stability,” said Hossack after signing the long-term deal. “It’s great to be back in camp and to get it going again.”
During the 2017-18 campaign, he set career highs in goals (seven), assists (seven), and points (14). He was also tied for the league lead with 34 caused turnovers and ended up third with a career-high 163 loose balls. As a result, he received his second straight Knighthawks’ Defensive MVP honor (2017 and 2017-18).
During the Knighthawks’ run to the NLL Finals, he scored four goals and notched one assist in five games. Hossack finished second in the NLL with 50 loose balls and third in caused turnovers with seven. After reaching his first NLL Finals in 2018, the 26-year-old has his sights set on finishing the job this season.
“I am definitely motivated to get back there again this year,” he said.
Over his Rochester career, Hossack has played in all 54 games, while collecting 15 goals, 14 assists, and 379 loose balls. The Knighthawks selected the defensive stalwart second overall in the 2015 NLL Entry Draft after a prolific collegiate career at Lindenwood University and junior career with the Whitby Warriors.
The rugged defenseman has been as advertised since he turned pro in 2016. In his inaugural season, he finished second in the NLL in loose balls among rookies with 91 and was named the team’s Rookie of the Year. He also became the first Knighthawk since 2012 to be named to the NLL All-Rookie Team.
“Since he has been in the league, everyone has seen that he is a dominant defender,” said Knighthawks assistant coach Pat O’Toole. “His abilities on the floor are unbelievable and self-explanatory, and he’s gotten better there as well. His role off the floor has improved tremendously. Signing him for three years will bode well for our team defense. It will let him step into the leadership role, where he can help the other guys, too.”
In July, the Port Perry, ONT., native added another award to his impressive trophy case as he became the third Knighthawks player to receive the NLL’s top honor for defensemen. By winning the NLL Defensive Player of the Year award, he joined Pat McCready (2011) and Andrew Turner (2005).
“It was quite an honor,” said Hossack. “I don’t always get this kind of recognition, and I couldn’t have done it without my teammates around me.”
When Hossack broke into the NLL, he was fortunate to have a cast of veterans to mentor him. He joined a team with veterans like Scott Campbell, Paul Dawson, Ian Llord, Sid Smith, Scott Self, and Mike Kirk. Despite being the young guy on the team in 2016, Hossack impressed everyone with his performance during fitness testing. That hard work has continued to pay off and has allowed him to become one of the league’s elite defensemen.
“After just three seasons, he has already become one of the top defenders in the league,” said Knighthawks Owner and General Manager Curt Styres. “Graeme’s success is a product of his hard work on and off the field. He has set the standard for fitness on our team.”
“The work he does on and off the floor came to fruition with him being named the league’s best defender,” added Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen. “We need that same kind of effort this year, and we don’t expect anything less. To know he is going to be here long term, for the next three years, is a good thing.”