ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Knighthawks announced today that they have signed goalie Chase Martin to a one-year deal. Martin comes to the Knighthawks after helping the Senior “B” Six Nations Rivermen reach the President’s Cup Finals.“Chase had a really good summer and played well in the President’s Cup when given the opportunity,” said Knighthawks scout Stuart Brown. “He has steadily improved each year since he graduated juniors. We felt like now was a good time to give him an opportunity to show us what he’s capable of at the next level.”

Martin finished the tournament with a 4-1 record and led all goaltenders with a 6.18 goals-against average. The Rivermen took home a silver medal, to go along with their Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA) Senior “B” Men’s Lacrosse title.

“That was a long tournament and a grind,” said the 24-year-old about playing nine games in seven days. “It seemed like you had a game every day, and you didn’t have a chance to sit still. By Thursday or Friday, I think I was running on instinct and will.”

It has been quite the year for Martin, who also reached the 2017 Arena Lacrosse League (ALL) Semifinals with the Six Nations Snipers. Once again, he posted impressive numbers as he earned five wins, a 9.41 goals-against average and an .807 save percentage during the regular season.

This past summer marked the third time that Martin has played professional lacrosse, having previously appeared in the Canadian Lacrosse League (CLax). Martin suited up for the Ohsweken Demons from 2015 to 2016. In both seasons, the Demons reached the Creator’s Cup Finals. In 2015, he also played Senior “B” lacrosse with the Six Nations Rivermen and collected a 5-2 record and a 5.72 goals-against average. That season, the Rivermen earned an OLA and President’s Cup championship.

Martin, who is a product of Six Nations, has become accustomed to playing for winning teams. From 2012-14, he helped the Six Nations Rebels rule the Junior “B” circuit, capturing three straight Founders’ Cup championships. He also earned three consecutive co-Goaltender of the Year honors along the way.“It’s a pretty high standard,” said Martin. “Not a lot of people can go to a final every year in every league they play in. That’s always the end goal. I am lucky that I have been a part of some good teams that I helped get there.”

With years of success behind him, Martin will now take his first shot at playing in the National Lacrosse League. He was beyond words as he described signing his first pro contract.

“It sounds cliché, but it’s my childhood dream,” he said. “It’s what every lacrosse player thinks about when their growing up. Now that it’s happened, it is unreal.”