Mike Triolo, Dylan Goddard, and Chris Shevins agree to 1-year deals with Rochester.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Knighthawks completed a successful Rookie Camp on Nov. 7, which resulted in the team signing free agents Mike Triolo, Dylan Goddard, and Chris Shevins (Chev-ins) to one-year deals.
By signing with Rochester, Triolo joins his second NLL team in as many years. The 6-foot-7 Toronto native was originally a third-round pick (27th overall) of the Buffalo Bandits in the 2015 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft.
“We are going to ask him to play on the back end,” said Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen. “Triolo is a big boy and will be a physical presence for us.”
The versatile Triolo, who can take draws and play offense as well, said the move back to defense suits him just fine.
“It’s never been an issue with me playing on either side of the ball,” he said. “I just want to be there, that’s all that really matters to me.”
Before being drafted by the Bandits, the 25-year-old was a standout at Division II Pfeiffer University, where he was a three-time All-Conference selection. During his career, he posted 44 goals, 38 assists, 82 points and 81 caused turnovers. He still ranks first in Pfeiffer history in career ground balls and caused turnovers. He also has the second highest ground ball total in a season with 105 on 2013.
During his senior season, he made the move to attack from long stick midfield and flourished in his new role. In 2015, he finished fifth in the Conference Carolinas with 23 assists and eighth with 46 points. He earned Second Team All-Conference honors to go along with his First Team nods in 2013 and 2014.
Like Triolo, Goddard is back with an NLL team and trying to prove himself. The Oshawa, Ontario native was the sixth-round pick (53rd overall) of the Buffalo Bandits in 2013, and then had a stint in New England last season. After getting one step closer to his dream in 2016, Goddard jumped at the chance to attend the Knighthawks Rookie Camp.
“It’s a good feeling. I just found out about camp not too long ago, sent in an email and they invited me out,” he said. “It was my first run and I really enjoyed it. It’s something different because they have me playing transition/defense. I am looking forward to what’s coming next.”
Goddard was a prolific scorer at the Junior “B” level with the Clarington Green Gaels from 2010-13. In 2011, he was named the Eastern Division’s MVP after a career 125-point campaign. In 2012, he led the junior circuit in scoring with his second straight 120-plus point season. The following season, he was first in scoring in the Eastern Division with 120 points and led Junior “B” in playoff scoring with 54 points. He finished his four-year stint with the Green Gaels with team records in goals (195), assists (414) and points (609). The 24-year-old also played some Junior “A” games with the Whitby Warriors.
“Dylan Goddard is so gifted offensively,” said Hasen. “We are going to ask him to switch his role a bit and play on the back end. We will see what he can do for us.”
The final player signed by the Knighthawks was Merrick, N.Y. native Chris Shevins. A tenacious defenseman at the collegiate level, he completed a stellar career at Detroit Mercy, where he played alongside Knighthawks Jordan Houtby and Joel Matthews. On Nov. 26, he will be reunited with the former teammates when the Knighthawks open training camp.
Shevins, who played primarily field lacrosse growing up on Long Island, absorbed everything the coaches told him during the two sessions and looks forward to improving during the team’s main camp.
“There were a lot of guys here trying to take the opportunity and do something with it,” he said. “It was exciting. Any opportunity you have to play lacrosse you have to take advantage of it.”
During his college career, Shevins was a two-time team captain at Detroit Mercy. In four seasons with the Titans, he appeared in 55 games and collected 64 ground balls and caused 29 turnovers. As a senior, he helped lead the team to a berth in the MAAC Semifinals. Away from the turf, he excelled in the classroom, earning three MAAC All-Academic team selections.
This season, the 23-year-old decided to give professional box lacrosse a try by attending the Knighthawks Rookie Camp. With “nothing to lose,” he impressed the staff over the two days with his strength and athleticism.
“Chris is new to the game, but he is quick, fast and willing to learn,” said Hasen. “Those are three factors that (GM) Curt (Styres) really, really likes.”