Rochester signs Kessler Doolittle to a 2-year deal.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Knighthawks announced that they have signed Kessler Doolittle to a two-year deal. Rochester selected the defenseman with the 52nd overall pick in the 2017 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft.
Ending up with the Knighthawks was something Doolittle dreamt about while growing up in Six Nations.
“I have always wanted to go to Rochester,” he said. “I have always watched Rochester, so getting picked there was great.”
Doolittle is experiencing the most memorable year of his career. Not only did he get drafted and sign his first pro contract, but in August he won a Minto Cup with the Six Nations Arrows.
“It was probably one of the best feelings ever,” said Doolittle about winning the Cup in his final year of Junior “A” lacrosse. “I could only do it one last time, and that was my time.”
In two seasons with the hometown Arrows, Doolittle notched 11 points in 30 games. He also appeared in 13 Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA) playoff games. During his tenure with the Arrows, he played alongside Trevor Stacey, who was also chosen in the draft by the Knighthawks. The two defensemen have many similarities in their games.
“I like playing with a little bit of a chip on my shoulder,” said Doolittle. “I know he does too.”
“They were the toughest guys on the floor with Six Nations, so it’s good to see we have both of them,” said Knighthawks alternate governor Gewas Schindler. “They are going to play a tough game and are not going to take nights off.”
The 5-11, 210-pound Doolittle brings with him a history of playing for winning lacrosse programs. Besides winning a Junior “A” title, he has also been a part of three Founders’ Cup championship teams at the Junior “B” level. In 2015, he won a bronze medal with the Iroquois West at the U19 World Lacrosse Challenge. That same year, he was the recipient of the Most Valuable Defensive Player award in the Junior “B” Western Conference.
“He went through the Rebels (organization) and was one of their leaders,” said Schindler. “He’s a solid defenseman and is really tough.”
With four championships on his resume, the 20-year-old will bring a wealth of success and potential to the Knighthawks’ roster.
“Kessler is a tough, versatile defender with a winning pedigree,” said Knighthawks head scout Stuart Brown after the draft. “We are excited to get a player like Kessler in the draft and we are looking forward to seeing him at training camp.”