Rochester signs the 2019 second overall pick to 2-year contract.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Rochester Knighthawks General Manager and Vice President of Lacrosse Operations Dan Carey announced on Monday that the team has agreed to terms on a 2-year contract with transition man Ryland Rees.
Selected second overall by the Knighthawks in the 2019 NLL Entry Draft, Rees spent the past four seasons at Stony Brook University (NCAA), where he totaled 15 goals and seven assists for 22 points in addition to 164 ground balls in 51 career games for the Seawolves. A two-time team captain, Rees was named the 2019 America East Defensive Player of the Year after recording four points (3+1) and causing 10 turnovers during his senior campaign.
A native of Port Coquitlam, B.C., Rees led the team in ground balls and turnovers in each of his four seasons and was a 3-time America East All-Conference First Team selection. He was also named to the America East All-Rookie Team as a freshman in 2016.
This past summer, the 22-year-old transition player appeared in 9 games with the Burnaby Lakers (MSL), recording 6 points (4+2) as well as 4 points (3+1) in 11 playoff games. He also made his professional field lacrosse debut with the Boston Cannons of Major League Lacrosse and was named to the 2019 MLL All-Star Game.
Internationally, Rees has twice represented Team Canada, most recently winning a silver medal at the 2018 World Field Lacrosse Championship. He also won silver with Team Canada at the 2016 U19 World Field Lacrosse Championship.
A new era of Knighthawks lacrosse begins on Saturday, Nov. 30 when Rochester opens its inaugural NLL season against the Georgia Swarm at the Blue Cross Arena.