Rochester gets Brandon Robinson and a draft pick from the New England Black Wolves, and re-sign Jordan Dance.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Knighthawks announced that they have traded Adam Bomberry to the New England Black Wolves in exchange for Brandon Robinson and the 14th overall selection in the 2017 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft.
“Brandon Robinson is a big, strong player who can play both ends of the floor and who has tremendous upside,” said Knighthawks scout Stuart Brown. “At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, he moves well for a big man, and we think he can develop into a good player for us.”
Following the deal, the Knighthawks now own four of the first 14 picks in the 2017 NLL Entry Draft. Rochester also has the second, fifth and sixth overall picks in the first round.
“With the No. 14 pick in this year’s draft we will have an opportunity to add some depth to our team,” said Brown.
Robinson comes to Rochester after being selected in the fourth round (33rd overall) by the Black Wolves in the 2016 NLL Entry Draft. This summer, the 21-year-old posted seven goals and 13 assists in 12 games for the Brampton Excelsiors in his inaugural season in Major Series Lacrosse. In five seasons of Junior “A” lacrosse, the transition player registered 47 goals and 60 assists for 107 points with Brampton.
Robinson is a two-sport star who has yet to play in the NLL. This year, the Pickering, Ontario native will return to the Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks hockey team. Last season, the left wing recorded nine goals and five assists in 22 games en route to team Rookie of the Year honors. Prior to playing with the Golden Hawks, Robinson spent five seasons in the Ontario Hockey League. He made stops in Brampton, North Bay and Kitchener from 2011-16. In 2011, he also played for Team Ontario at the U17 World Hockey Challenge.
Throughout his life, Brandon and his brothers, Justin and Dylan, have always transitioned from hockey to lacrosse. The Robinson boys have been doing so since peanut lacrosse. Brandon admitted that he is in select company having been able to play in the OHL and Junior “A” lacrosse.
“I have loved both my whole life; I have played both my whole life,” he said. “I feel lucky and fortunate that I can still play both at a high level. I know I am not going to be able to do that forever, but for right now, if I can keep doing it I would love to. I am just enjoying being able to play lacrosse in the summer and go back and play hockey in the winter.”
Although currently focusing on hockey, Robinson was excited to learn Wednesday that he was traded to the Knighthawks.
“It feels good,” he said. “They have had a lot of success over the past five or six years, winning the back-to-back-to-back Champion’s Cups. It’s exciting and I am hoping to bring whatever I can to the team.”
In the deal with the Black Wolves, New England received former second-round pick Adam Bomberry. With the Knighthawks, the defenseman appeared in 14 games over two seasons and notched six points and 55 loose balls.
“We wish Adam all best in New England,” said Brown. “We think it is a good opportunity for him.”
Jordan Dance re-signs
The Knighthawks also announced that the team has re-signed Jordan Dance to a one-year deal. The gritty forward appeared in three of the team’s final four games to close out the 2017 National Lacrosse League season.
“It’s exciting. I got the taste of being out there over the last four games,” he said. “It’s very exciting that I am still in the league and have a chance to play with the Knighthawks again.”
The Georgetown, Ontario native completed his first stint in Rochester with three assists and 10 loose balls. By making his Knighthawks debut on April 15, Jordan joined his dad, Kevin, as the first father-son duo to ever play for Rochester. Kevin played in 19 games for the Knighthawks from 1998-2000, and helped the team reach the 1999 NLL Finals.
Jordan, who plays much bigger than his 5-foot-9, 165-pound frame, earned his promotion to the pros after an impressive season in the Arena Lacrosse League (ALL). The Toronto Monarchs forward posted team bests in goals (29) and points (54), while finishing fourth in the league in goal scoring.
During the postseason, the 24-year-old was the playoff leader in goals (10) and points (17), and powered the Monarchs to the league championship game. In the ALL Semifinals, Dance recorded six goals and two assists in a 14-11 victory over Six Nations.
Three days after the conclusion of the season, he was signed by the Knighthawks. It marked the third time in his career that he joined an NLL club. Dance spent the 2015 season on the Buffalo Bandits’ practice roster after being selected in the third-round (24th overall) of the 2014 NLL Entry Draft by Buffalo.
“It was definitely a crazy feeling; it all happened so fast,” said Jordan, who wore No. 13 like his father. “Now that I have had time to look back on it, it was a great experience especially being on a team that I grew up watching and my dad played for as well.”
Dance jumped right into the Knighthawks’ lineup on April 15 in a road game at Colorado. After having several scoring chances in his pro debut, he played in two of Rochester’s final three games. On April 22, he had his most productive game. Dance helped set up three goals, while collecting two loose balls in Rochester’s 15-13 victory over New England. On April 29, he had a season-high five loose balls as the Knighthawks defeated Georgia 9-8.
It was Dance’s drive and compete level that impressed Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen the most.
“He plays well beyond his size and has a great lacrosse mind,” said Hasen. “He will go through a brick wall for his teammates. He will do whatever it takes to get a goal and help the team succeed.”
This summer, Dance increased his value by finishing tied for fourth on the Brampton Excelsiors with 33 points in 14 Major Series Lacrosse games. He also scored seven goals in his last two games.
“Jordan had a really strong summer,” said Knighthawks scout Stuart Brown. “He played with a lot of confidence and raised his game against high-level competition. Jordan competes hard every shift, every night. He goes to the tough areas on the floor, which is something we are looking for.”
After seeing his first NLL action, Dance cannot wait to start competing for a spot on the Knighthawks’ 2018 roster.
“I got the first couple of games in, and I got my chance to play and show what I could do out there,” he said. “I think getting into those last few games with Rochester makes a big difference for me (heading into camp).”