Forward Josh Gillam and free-agent defenseman Mike Lazore ink contracts with Rochester.
The Rochester Knighthawks announced two more player moves today, re-signing forward Josh Gillam to a one-year deal and agreeing on a two-year deal with free agent defenseman Mike Lazore.
“It feels great to be re-signed by the Knighthawks,” said Gillam. “I was excited to be acquired by Rochester late last season and it means a lot when a team wants to re-sign you and bring you back again the following year. I’m thrilled to be a part of this organization.”
Gillam remains in Rochester after being acquired from the Georgia Swarm on March 29. In his four seasons in the NLL, he has posted 29 goals and 44 assists in 34 games. Last season with the Knighthawks, Gillam appeared in four games and contributed four goals and three assists. With more time to gel with his teammates this year, the coaching staff is looking for Gillam to battle for a spot on the left side of the offense.
“We need some lefts to step up and contribute some goals,” said Knighthawks assistant coach Paul Day. “We had a short sample size last year and with training camp he will have some time to develop some chemistry with our offense.”
The Peterborough, Ontario native was originally selected with the 18th overall pick in the 2010 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft. Prior to the deal with Rochester, he collected 25 goals, 41 assists and 101 loose balls in 30 games with the Swarm. In 2014, he had a breakout season by recording career highs in goals (13), assists (15) and points (28). As he embarks on his first full season in Rochester in 2017, the 28-year-old Gillam admitted he cannot wait to get back to work with the Knighthawks.
“Anytime you can become a team member of a franchise such as Rochester it’s an honor,” he said. “I was motivated by the move to Rochester and driven to show my best for the city and the team.”
Rochester also beefed up its defense today with the signing of punishing defender Mike Lazore. The 6-3, 210-pound former Hobart College midfielder is getting a second chance with the Knighthawks after first attending camp back in 2010. The 28-year-old said he is hungry for another shot at cracking the roster.
“It’s another opportunity to get on a team. I am definitely coming into it with more experience,” said Lazore. “I am more confident coming into this tryout than I was in 2010.”
The last time Lazore walked into the Knighthawks’ camp, he was fresh out of college. The Carthage, NY native was a two-sport star at Hobart College. On the lacrosse field, he notched 27 goals, 10 assists, 37 ground balls and 12 caused turnovers in 56 games. Lazore also played football for three seasons at Hobart. The wide receiver appeared in 26 games with the Statesmen and also spent some time on special teams.
Over the past six years, Lazore has learned the nuances of the indoor game.
“There is a big difference between the field game and the box game,” said Lazore, who has since played for box teams in Montreal and Onondaga. “In the box game you have to put more pressure on defensively, it’s more up and down and switching. With field, it’s something I have always played. This is a newer game to me, but I like box better. I love the physicalness of it. I am a real physical player so I try to bring that intensity to every game. This league is perfect for that.”
Since his last tryout with Rochester, Lazore has also built up his lacrosse resume by representing the Iroquois Nationals on the international stage. Three times he was named to the Iroquois Nationals, earning a spot on the roster for the world championships in 2010, 2011 and 2014. In 2011, he won a silver medal at the FIL World Indoor Lacrosse Championship in Prague.
In 2014, Lazore helped the Iroquois win their first international medal, a bronze, at the FIL World Lacrosse Championship. Winning the medal at the top field lacrosse tournament in the world, however, was only part of what made the experience so memorable. It allowed Mike to have more of a connection with his dad, Arnold, and his Mohawk roots.
“That’s one of the highlights of my career,” said Mike. “I never really lived on the reservation and I didn’t have any real connection with my Native American roots. Spiritually I became closer to the game. Being able to be around all these guys and competing against the best teams in the world was a special time. The whole experience was something I will never forget.”
Knighthawks Alternate Governor Gewas Schindler, who has served as the general manager and director for the Iroquois Nationals, has seen Lazore develop his game over the past several years and is looking forward to seeing him in training camp.
“Mike has a lot of experience,” said Schindler. “He excelled at Hobart College and was named to three Iroquois Nationals world teams in both men’s indoor and men’s field. His diversity in both games will give Mike an advantage at camp this year.”