ROCHESTER, N.Y. — After naming their roster, the Rochester Knighthawks are preparing for another run at the National Lacrosse League Cup. The group that will compete to bring a sixth championship to Rochester is loaded with talent and includes rising stars Brandon Robinson, Oran Horn, Leland Powless, and Cam Milligan.
“The practice players are every bit as important as the guys on the 21-man roster,” said Knighthawks Owner and General Manager Curt Styres. “They play a valuable role in helping us prepare for each game. In such a competitive and demanding league, we need these guys to be game ready. Any of these players could be a difference maker this season.”
Robinson is the lone returnee among the four practice roster players, having signed with the Knighthawks just before the start of the 2018 National Lacrosse League (NLL) Finals. Coming on board in the midst of a playoff run gave him a glimpse of the pro lacrosse lifestyle.
“It was a unique experience, joining during the NLL Finals,” he said. “Despite not getting in any games, I got the feeling for what it’s like by traveling and practicing with the team. I came in (this year) with a level of confidence and was pretty comfortable to start. It was my first training camp, but I came knowing most of the guys after being around last year.”
Although not yet a household name, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound forward had an exceptional training camp and posted two goals and one assist in a pair of preseason games. His performances were reminiscent of his play this summer with the Cobourg Kodiaks of Major Series Lacrosse (MSL). In 2018, the Pickering, Ontario, native concluded the season tied for fifth on the team with a career-high 25 points (10+15) in 13 games. Robinson surpassed his career bests in goals and assists as well.
This season, he will play a prominent role with the Knighthawks after he completes his third campaign with the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks men’s hockey team in February. The left wing is currently tied for second on the team in goals (five) and assists (seven) and first in points (12).
So far, Robinson has impressed the Rochester coaching staff with his strength and agility in the pick-and-roll game. He has also developed chemistry with forwards Cody Jamieson and Kyle Jackson.
“Brandon is a big body, and he moves well for a big guy,” said Knighthawks assistant coach Mike Accursi. “He is deceptively fast and has very good IQ. He works well with ‘Jammer’ and KJ and is going to open up a lot of space for those guys on that side. Brandon has a really good shot and has a lot of tools that we like in a player. He is somebody we are going to look to get into a few games. When he gets that call, he will be ready.”
The other forward on the practice squad arrives in Rochester after winning a Mann Cup with the Peterborough Lakers. This summer, 23-year-old Cam Milligan collected 10 points in eight games. Winning the Senior “A” championship capped off an incredible year in which he also captured an Arena Lacrosse League (ALL) title with the Whitby Steelhawks. Milligan begins the journey to win another cup, the NLL Cup, as a member of the Knighthawks.
The Peterborough, Ontario, native is getting a second chance to play in the National Lacrosse League, following his selection in the sixth round (54th overall) of the 2017 NLL Entry Draft by the New England Black Wolves. After notching one goal and three assists in two preseason games with the Knighthawks, Milligan locked up his first roster spot on an NLL team.
“This is my first foot in the door in the NLL. I am very fortunate to have an opportunity here in Rochester,” he said. “I grew up a Knighthawks fan, so I am lucky to be part of this organization.”
Milligan gives Rochester another weapon on the right side of the offense. The past two years in Senior A ball, he has proven that he can play at a high level. Prior to playing with the Lakers in 2018, he was a member of the Burnaby Lakers (Western Lacrosse Association) the previous year. In 2017, he collected the fourth-most assists in the league with 35, while finishing tied for 10th in points with 51.
Milligan was also an outstanding collegiate and junior player. At the University of Vermont, he finished third in assists and seventh in points in school history. With the Catamounts, he was a two-time America East All-Conference selection and Vermont’s 2015 co-MVP. He completed his college career with 170 points (84 +86). At the Junior “A” level, Milligan spent the majority of his six seasons with the Peterborough Lakers and notched an impressive 470 points (168+302) in 152 regular season/postseason games. In 2015, he led the Ontario Lacrosse Association in assists (64) and was second in points (98).
If his past accomplishments are an indicator of future success, Milligan will have a lengthy pro career. Knighthawks assistant coach Mike Accursi said that the forward has all the tools to play in the NLL.
“Milligan is a natural scorer,” said Accursi. “If you look back at his junior career, he put up phenomenal numbers. I think with the right opportunity and the right system, he is a guy who I think can do the same thing in this league. If he gets an opportunity, I am sure he will make the most of it.”
The draft yielded the final two practice squad members: Horn and Powless. The Knighthawks selected Horn in the third round (36th overall) of the 2018 NLL Entry Draft because of his grit and work ethic. During training camp, which included two preseason games, the 5-foot-9, 210-pound defenseman lived up to his advance billing.
“Oran came into camp as advertised. He is a gritty, no-nonsense type of player willing to do whatever is asked of him,” said Knighthawks President of Lacrosse Operations Jake Henhawk. “He has the skill set and work ethic to make an impact. What impressed me the most with Oran was his overall strength. He held his own against bigger players and adjusted accordingly. I believe he will force his way into the lineup in short order.”
Horn has one season of Senior “A” ball with the Six Nations Chiefs and two championship years with the Six Nations Arrows (2015-16) on his resume. The 23-year-old also excelled internationally, winning a bronze medal with the Iroquois Nationals at the 2018 World Field Lacrosse Championship. At the college level, in three seasons with the Mercyhurst Lakers, he appeared in 45 games and notched 51 goals and 17 assists for 68 points. Now, Horn will have the opportunity to learn the Knighthawks’ defensive system as he bides his time on the practice squad. It’s just a matter of time before the young defenseman gets the call to make his professional debut with Rochester.
“I was very appreciative of the roster spot on the practice squad,” said Horn. “I have to work hard to get on the active roster and fulfill that dream I have wanted for a long time.”
Like Horn, Powless is one step away from realizing his goal of playing in his first professional lacrosse game. Rochester chose the versatile defenseman in the sixth round (73rd overall) of the 2018 NLL Entry Draft. Powless spent this summer with the Junior “A” Six Nations Arrows, posting 17 goals and 28 assists for 45 points in 17 games. During the postseason, he chipped in two assists in three games.
Knighthawks assistant coach Marshall Abrams, who coaches the Arrows, was impressed with the play of the 21-year-old, especially after he made the switch from offense to defense.
“I think he only started playing defense the last two months,” said Abrams. “A lot of guys were surprised what he could do out the back door. I think he has room for growth on the practice squad. If he gets a chance, he might open some eyes. It’s a good fit for him.”
“Over the past few months, going from Junior A to the pro level, he has increased his strength and his foot speed,” added Henhawk, who serves as the general manager of the Arrows. “The biggest thing he has is his ability to transition from offense to defense, almost seamlessly. Once he gets in more video and starts seeing how guys carry themselves, he’ll be able to follow suit and contribute.”
Before his season with Six Nations, Powless played for the Can-Am Onondaga Redhawks in 2017. His career also included a two-year stint with the Junior “B” Seneca WarChiefs. In his first season with the WarChiefs, Powless appeared in the 2015 Founders’ Cup. That same season, he played forward for the Senior “B” President’s Cup and finished sixth on the Snake Island Muskies in points. It has been a quick ascension through the lacrosse ranks for the youngster, who played in his first two NLL preseason games last weekend. During the preseason schedule, he got to live out one of his childhood dreams by being on the same floor as some of the top players in the game.
“The past six months have been a big change, from playing back home for Onondaga Junior B and then getting the opportunity to play with the Arrows,” said Powless. “Kids look up to all these veteran guys who you play against, and I get to see them night in and night out. Just being on the squad and playing against guys you know and some of your friends is a lot of fun.”
After making his first professional team, Powless admitted there is work that needs to be done. He is also focused on honing his skills and helping the Knighthawks be successful this season.
“You want to be in the lineup, and that’s what I am working toward,” he said. “I’m doing whatever I can to improve and help the teammate next to me.”