Rochester makes 3 changes prior to Saturday’s key matchup with the Georgia Swarm.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Knighthawks continued to shake up their roster prior to Saturday’s key matchup against the Georgia Swarm at the Connors & Ferris Field at the Blue Cross Arena.
Vitarelli trade
The Knighthawks announced that they have acquired forward Ryan Benesch from the Colorado Mammoth in exchange for forward Cory Vitarelli.
“It feels good to be coming back East,” said Benesch, who lives and works in Kitchener, ONT. “I know a lot of guys on the Rochester team, which is nice. I want to walk in and be welcomed with open arms and help this team win some games.”
The 34-year-old forward is one of the most prolific scorers in the history of the game. In 13 seasons, he ranks 10th all-time in assists (562) and points (977), and 11th in goals (415). The former first overall pick is a two-time First Team All-Pro (2011 and 2015). In 2007, he earned NLL Rookie of the Year honors. One thing that has defined his career has been his ability to score goals at crucial moments. In his 198 career games, he has netted 17 game-winners.
“Ryan is one of the top scorers in the history of the National Lacrosse League,” said Knighthawks Owner and General Manager Curt Styres. “He brings veteran leadership to the team and the ability to score clutch goals.”
This season, the 5-foot-9, 180-pound forward led the Colorado Mammoth in assists (30) and points (47). During the 2017-18 campaign, Benesch led the Mammoth in goals (36), assists (57) and points (93), and was fifth in the NLL in points. In his career, he has also played for the Toronto Rock, Minnesota Swarm, Edmonton Rush and Buffalo Bandits.
His best offensive season was as a Bandit in 2015. That season, he was first in the NLL with a career-high of 55 goals. He also led Buffalo with a career-high 113 points, which was the third-most points in the league. His 58 assists were a career best, as well. Later that summer, he won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2015 FIL World Indoor Lacrosse Championship.
In exchange for Benesch, Rochester sent Vitarelli to Colorado. The 33-year-old forward has 15 goals and 11 assists in 9 games this season. In parts of 9 seasons (2011-19), the Peterborough, ONT., native posted 184 goals and 129 assists in 116 games with the Knighthawks. He ranks fourth all-time in team history in goals. Vitarelli also was a member of the Knighthawks’ championship teams in 2012, 2013, and 2014.
“Thank you to Cory for his nine seasons as a Rochester Knighthawk,” said Styres. “He helped us get to the division semifinals (2011) and division finals (2015), and reach four NLL Finals and win a league-record three straight championships.”
Forward signed
The Knighthawks announced that they have signed forward/transition player Cameron Simpson and moved him to the active roster.
“It’s a dream come true,” Simpson said. “I am pretty excited.”
The 27-year-old has been a standout performer in the Arena Lacrosse League (ALL), where he ranks eighth with 20 goals in 9 games. The right-handed forward also collected 12 assists and 32 total points.
A product of the Onondaga Nation, Simpson has attended two National Lacrosse League Combines over the past three years (2016, 2018). In 2016, he even earned a spot in Vancouver’s tryout camp.
“Cam has been one of the top scorers in the Arena League all season and has earned a chance to show us what he can do at the next level,” said Styres. “He has great hands and can finish when he gets the opportunity.”
Simpson has established himself as an elite player at the Senior “B” level, having played for the hometown Onondaga Redhawks from 2014-17. As a rookie, he won the prestigious President’s Cup in 2014. The next two seasons, he led the Can-Am League in scoring, and in 2016 he earned league MVP honors. In 2017, he posted an impressive 49 goals and 36 assists in 17 games.
“Cam is skilled and can score goals on offense and in transition,” Knighthawks Alternate Governor Gewas Schindler. “He has been a standout at the Senior A and Senior B levels.”
This past summer, he played for the Saskatoon Brewers in the President’s Cup. Simpson will now take the next step as he attends his first NLL practice. On Monday, he will meet his new teammates as the Knighthawks prepare for two East Division games in two nights.
“That’s going to be pretty exciting, too,” he said. “I am just hoping to come in, make a big impact and prove I deserve to be here.”
Acquire Calgary forward
The Knighthawks again were active on the trade front as they acquired forward Chris Boushy (BOO-shee) from the Calgary Roughnecks. The deal is pending league approval.
“A new opportunity is always a good thing,” Boushy said. “Calgary gave me my start, and I did what I could do out there. I am excited to come back out East. It’s going to be nice to play in front of my friends and family.”
This season, the 21-year-old has posted 8 goals and 6 assists in 8 games. To get Boushy, the Knighthawks dealt Calgary their fourth-round pick in the 2020 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft.
“Chris gives us another weapon on the right side of the offense,” said Styres. “He has been a proven scorer at the Junior ‘A’ level and has been an offensive threat this year in Calgary.”
The Oakville, ONT., native signed with Calgary this season as a free agent. In December, he attended Buffalo Bandits’ training camp. The 5-foot-11, 192-pound forward originally was selected in the third round (31st overall) of the 2017 Entry Draft by the Saskatchewan Rush.
This summer, Boushy was one of the top scorers in Junior “A” lacrosse. The Burlington Chiefs’ right-hander finished sixth in assists (48), tied for sixth in points (84), and eighth in goals (36). In four seasons with Burlington, he recorded an impressive 65 goals, 102 assists, and 167 points in 45 games. In 2018, Boushy also appeared in two games with the Oakville Rock of Major Series Lacrosse. He played four seasons of college lacrosse for Queen’s University in the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association (CUFLA).
The NLL Trade Deadline is Monday, March 11 at 3 pm EST.
Earlier in the week the Knighthawks traded away forward Joe Resetarits and defenseman Paul Dawson for a combined 4 draft picks.