Forward Dawson Theede agrees to a 1-year deal.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Knighthawks announced on Wednesday that they have signed draft pick Dawson Theede to a one-year deal. The 21-year-old was a fourth-round selection (49th overall) of the Knighthawks in the 2018 NLL Entry Draft.
“We knew he was going to be chasing his hockey dream, but it was worth the chance if he could play for us (in the future),” said Knighthawks Owner and General Manager Curt Styres. “He will get his opportunity this weekend. He’s big and physical and he will be an impact player for us.”
The 6-foot-4, 225-pound forward recently completed his college hockey season at St. Mary’s University. During the 2018-19 campaign, he posted 8 goals and 10 assists in 25 games with the Huskies. Now that his season is over, Theede has turned his attention back to lacrosse.
“I am done here with hockey and I have always loved lacrosse,” he said. “I couldn’t say no to getting the chance to play lacrosse at the highest level.”
The Brooklin, ONT., native was a dominant player during his junior lacrosse career. With the Junior “A” Whitby Warriors, the lefty forward appeared in 47 games and scored 47 goals and dished out 99 assists for 146 points over four seasons. In his last year with the Warriors, he led the team with 47 assists and was second with 75 points in 2017. He played his Junior “B” ball with the Clarington Green Gaels. In 2014, he was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Year after producing 69 points (35+34) in 19 games. In 2017, Theede also played in a pair of Major Series Lacrosse games and posted two goals and 2 assists in 2 games with Brooklin.
One of his teammates in Whitby and Brooklin was Knighthawks forward Austin Shanks.
“Dawson Theede is a really big, strong and athletic player who is really skilled,” said Shanks. “I was lucky enough to play with him in junior and I watched him finish his junior career. I think he will be a great asset to this team. I am happy to have him on board.”
This weekend, the Knighthawks will play two East Division games in two nights. Rochester will host the Georgia Swarm on Friday at 7:30 pm at Connors & Ferris Field at the Blue Cross Arena. The Knighthawks will then travel north of the border to battle the Toronto Rock on Saturday at 7 pm at Scotiabank Arena.
“I have been in the gym the last couple of weeks, practicing on the wall and just warming up my stick,” Theede said. “I am pretty excited and ready to go.”