Defensemen James Barclay, Oran Horn and Luke Van Schepen agree to terms with Rochester.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Knighthawks announced that the team has signed 3 draft picks.
The team signed James Barclay to a 1-year deal. The defenseman was the Knighthawks’ first-round selection (9th overall) in the 2018 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft.
“I am glad to get everything signed and everything in order,” he said. “Now, I can just go to camp this weekend, have a good camp and meet my new teammates.”
Selecting the talented defender was a product of years of scouting and collaboration, according to Knighthawks Owner and General Manager Curt Styres.
“It was a group effort led by Jeremy (Henhawk) and Stu (Brown),” he said. Henhawk serves as the team’s President of Lacrosse Operations, while Brown is the head scout.
“I have followed him since he was close to 12 or 13 years old,” said Henhawk. “Now that he is almost twice that age, he’s finally to the pro level. He has great character and is a good team guy. He has excellent leadership qualities and is a future captain in this league.”
Barclay arrives in Rochester after playing four seasons of collegiate lacrosse at Providence College. He was an integral member of the Friars’ defensive unit, appearing in 62 games and collecting three assists and 112 ground balls while causing 56 turnovers. The Toronto, Ontario, native played a significant role in the Friars’ 2017 BIG EAST Championship run, where the team made program history with its second-consecutive BIG EAST Tournament appearance and first BIG EAST Championship game appearance.
“James is ready to step in and play right now,” said Brown. “We have watched him play a lot the last two MSL seasons, and he’s proven he can play against men. He’s a competitor and a natural leader, and a great teammate. James fits everything that is important to our organization, which is why we had no hesitation taking him with the ninth pick in the draft.”
In his Junior “A” lacrosse career, Barclay played one season with the Toronto Beaches and two with the Mimico Mountaineers. Over his three seasons, he posted 12 goals and 27 assists in 48 regular season games. For the past two summers, the tenacious defender has played with the Oakville Rock of Major Series Lacrosse. Barclay logged time in 32 games and chipped in 13 points (3+10). In 2018, the 23-year-old was a member of the Rock team that advanced to its first MSL Finals.
“He is a gritty, young and athletic defender,” said Knighthawks assistant coach Mike Accursi, who coached Barclay in Oakville. “He’s an aggressive guy who people hate playing against, and we need to have a player like that on our team. He’s a good team guy and fits into the culture we are trying to keep in Rochester.”
Today, Barclay will have his first chance to practice with his new team on Day One of training camp. It will be a dream come true to finally start his professional career.
“It’s something I have been looking forward to for a really long time,” he said. “It’s a relief that it’s finally here, but I know the hard work’s just beginning. I am trying to get into camp, put in some work and get started.”
Oran Horn signs
The Knighthawks signed Oran Horn to a 2-year deal. The defenseman/transition man was the Knighthawks’ third-round selection (36th overall) in the 2018 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft.
“I have been working toward this for a very long time,” said Horn. “It was very exciting and relieving to see my name on the TV screen (on draft day).”
This weekend, he will join his fellow draft picks at training camp, as the Knighthawks begin preparing for the 2018-19 NLL season. Horn will travel from Erie, Pa., where he is completing his degree at Mercyhurst University, to Six Nations to take part in three training sessions.
“I am excited,” said Horn. “I have put in a lot of work in the summer and fall to get to this point, so I can’t wait to get there and get on the floor.”
This summer, he made a smooth transition to Senior “A” ball from the Senior “B” Kahnawake Mohawks. In 2018, the 23-year-old played in four games with the Six Nations Chiefs and contributed two goals and one assist in four games. Described as “tough as nails,” Horn advanced through the Junior “B” ranks with the hometown Kahnawake Hunters before landing with Junior “A” Six Nations. He played two seasons with the Arrows and was a member of two Minto Cup championship teams (2015-16).
“He has a winning pedigree,” said Styres. “He showed that when he went to the Minto Cup. A lot of great players haven’t won a Minto Cup, and he has won it twice. That says something about him. That’s what we are looking for here. We need someone who knows what it takes to be a winner and is not afraid to put in the hard work.”
Jake Henhawk, who is the general manager of the Arrows, knew precisely what the Knighthawks were getting when they selected the 5-foot-11, 205-pound Horn.
“I like everything about his game,” said Henhawk, who is the Knighthawks President of Lacrosse Operations. “He is a smaller type of player, so he has to play with his heart. He will do whatever it takes to help his teammates. He will run through a wall for his coaches and players to get a loose ball. He can push the ball up the floor, and he can contribute when he stays and plays. His best attribute is his heart, and he is a good team guy, too.”
Horn completed his college career in 2018 with Mercyhurst University. In 3 seasons with the Lakers, he appeared in 45 games and notched 51 goals and 17 assists for 68 points. As a senior, he achieved career highs in goals (28) and points (33). Horn broke into college with Lake Erie in 2015. He also excelled internationally, winning a bronze medal with the Iroquois Nationals at the 2018 World Field Lacrosse Championship.
“That was also one of my goals. I always wanted to play for the Iroquois Nationals,” he said. “It was fun and very cool to play over in Israel, especially to be able to travel on our passports.”
Horn’s resume and his versatility are what make him a perfect addition to the Knighthawks’ lineup.
“Oran’s a winner,” said Knighthawks Director of Player Development Duane Jacobs. “He has been with the Arrows for a couple of Minto Cups. He’s just one of those kids who will go through a wall for you. Oran is very versatile; he can play some offense, but defense is his primary position. He’s a very smart player with good positioning.”
Van Schepen signs
The 22-year-old was the Knighthawks’ second-round selection (16th overall) in the 2018 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft and agreed to a 3-year deal.
“It’s a great feeling,” he said about signing his first pro contract. “It’s a dream come true for a kid growing up playing lacrosse, especially joining a storied franchise like Rochester.”
The gritty Van Schepen joins the Teal and Purple after completing his first season of Senior “A” ball with the Brampton Excelsiors. This past year, he posted eight points (4+4) in 11 games. Now, just four months after finishing the Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) season, he will make the leap to the pros this weekend when the Knighthawks open training camp.
“It’s taking the next step in your career and an exciting part of your life,” he said. “I am very eager to see what pro lacrosse is all about.”
In 2018, the lefty defenseman completed his collegiate career at Division I Siena College. With the Saints, he collected six goals and 77 ground balls in 52 games. He also received MAAC All-Academic Team honors his final three seasons. As a freshman, Van Schepen was a MAAC Academic Honor Roll selection. He finished his career with 37 caused turnovers, which tied him for fifth all-time in school history.
The Brampton, ONT., native spent five seasons with the Junior “A” Excelsiors, where he collected 32 points (9+23) and 78 penalty minutes in 89 games. He also earned valuable playoff experience, appearing in 27 games in five trips to the postseason.
“We look at him as a good defender,” said Styres. “He can play the game and is built for the rough stuff. That’s one of the reasons we got him.”
Van Schepen plays with passion and grit, which is no surprise when you consider that his childhood lacrosse idol was former defenseman and current Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen. To this day, he wears No. 10 because Hasen wore that number with the MSL’s Brampton Excelsiors.
“Growing up, he was the captain of the Excelsiors, so that’s why I took that number way back when,” he said.
Hasen has also followed Van Schepen’s career for years, watching him graduate from junior to senior lacrosse. In fact, Luke played with Mike’s son, Austin, during the 2017 Junior A season. With a detailed scouting report on one of Rochester’s top prospects, Hasen believes that Van Schepen will fit right in with the veterans on the Knighthawks’ defense.
“He’s a physical, mainly stay-at-home defender,” said Hasen. “He’s got good feet and has some edge to his game. He’s going to fit in well with our left side with (Graeme) Hossack, ‘Llordy’ (Ian Llord) and ‘Soupy’ (Scott Campbell). There’s a need on that side, and he is going to come in and fight for a job.”