Rochester agrees to a 1-year deal with Gowah Abrams.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Knighthawks announced today that they have signed Hunyahdengowah (Gowah, pronounced GO-wah) Abrams to a one-year deal. The 22-year-old goalie was still trying to process the call he received from Rochester Owner and General Manager Curt Styres as he talked about joining the Knighthawks.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” he said. “It feels pretty good knowing that I have another shot at going back to the NLL.”
For Abrams, this will mark the second straight season he has attended a National Lacrosse League camp after signing with the Buffalo Bandits in 2015. From 2014-15, he suited up for the Seneca WarChiefs of the First Nations Junior “B” Lacrosse League, where he won back-to-back playoff titles and earned two silver medals at the Founders’ Cup tournament.
The 6-foot-4, 260-pound netminder also spent some time with the Allegany Arrows in the Senior “B” Can-Am league. He finished off the season by winning a silver medal with the Iroquois Nationals at 2015 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships in Onondaga. It was at the worlds that he befriended Iroquois starting goalie and Knighthawks veteran Angus Goodleaf.
“He is a good friend and a mentor who has helped me along the way,” said Abrams. “He has helped me make some good decisions like where I should go (play) and how I should adjust to playing in the pros.”
The youngster, who hails from the Tonawanda Reservation, spent the 2016 season with the Native Sons in the Can-Am league. The Native Sons, after finishing second during the regular season, captured the league championship and advanced to the President’s Cup. Abrams then excelled in the Canadian Lacrosse League with the Ohsweken Demons, collecting one win, an 11.98 goals-against average and a .748 save percentage in four games. He was named to the CLax All-Rookie Team for his efforts, as the Demons advanced to the Creator’s Cup Finals.
With four playoff runs and one training camp under his belt, Abrams is thrilled to join the Knighthawks tonight for practice and this weekend for a pair of preseason games.
“I hope I play in one of the games, but I am fine just taking shots in the pro nets,” he said. “I just want to learn as much as I can from different goalies. Matt Vinc and Angus Goodleaf are both great goaltenders.”