Goalie Matt Vinc, defenseman Graeme Hossack, and forward Joe Resetarits receive league honors.
PHILADELPHIA, PA. — The National Lacrosse League announced today that three members of the Rochester Knighthawks have been named league All-Pros. Goalie Matt Vinc and defenseman Graeme Hossack headlined the First Team, while forward Joe Resetarits earned Second Team honors.
The only other time three Knighthawks appeared on the All-Pro Teams was in 2007 when John Grant Jr., Shawn Williams, and Steve Toll were honored during the team’s second championship season. In 1996, Rochester received a franchise record four selections with Paul Gait, Steve Dietrich, Duane Jacobs, and Chris Driscoll earning All-Pro selections.
The latest honors capped off an offseason in which seven members of the organization were recognized for their efforts in 2017-18.
“It is great to be named alongside two valuable members of our team,” said Vinc. “Both players had great seasons and will be named All-Pros several more times throughout their careers.”
The 36-year-old netminder continues to add to his legacy as he earns his seventh NLL All-Pro nod and sixth as a First Team member. The acknowledgment follows his league-record sixth NLL Goaltender of the Year selection. During the 2017-18 season, the St. Catharines, Ontario native posted a 9-6 record and an 11.37 goals-against average. Vinc also finished second in save percentage (.782) and third in saves (651) as he led Rochester back to the NLL Finals.
Vinc also continued to move up the NLL’s all-time goaltending charts. During his 13th season, he passed Bob Watson for second place on the league’s all-time saves list and moved within 105 of overtaking Anthony Cosmo (7,222) for first overall. In 2017-18, Vinc overtook Knighthawks Hall of Famer Pat O’Toole for first place in postseason saves in team (749) and NLL (979) history.
“Matt is very deserving of being an All-Pro for the seventh time,” said Knighthawks VP of Player Personnel Jody Gage, who helped bring Vinc to Rochester via a trade with Colorado in 2010. “Back when we made the move to pick him up he was already one of the best goalies in the league.
“You have to give him credit because to do it over such a long period shows you the work that he puts in. He really works hard at his craft on and off the floor. It’s in his character. He wants to win; he wants to compete, and he wants to be the best. That’s why he is arguably one of the greatest goalies of all-time.”
Hossack won his first Defensive Player of the Year award following his third season in the NLL. This past year, he continued to play a dominating brand of lacrosse. In the process, he finished tied for the league lead with 34 caused turnovers and ended up third with a career-high 163 loose balls. The 25-year-old also set career highs in goals (seven), assists (seven), and points (14). Hossack joins the First Team for the first time in his career, following Second Team accolades during the 2017 season.
“It’s very gratifying,” said the Port Perry, ONT., native. “I had a pretty good year because of the help of my teammates. It’s nice to have the hard work that I put in recognized.”
With Vinc and Hossack leading the way on the floor and in the gym, Knighthawks Owner and General Manager Curt Styres said he has seen the duo transform the culture in the Knighthawks’ dressing room.
“The fitness training of Vinc and Graeme prepared them to be successful,” said Styres. “When ‘Vno’ came to Rochester he raised the fitness expectations; when we drafted Hossack, he raised those expectations again. Now it’s becoming a way of life for the Knighthawks family on how they prepare for the season because nobody wants to get left behind.”
All-Pro-Second-Team (1).jpgResetarits has significantly benefitted from his time in the gym, as well. Since rededicating himself to training and hitting the weights on a daily basis, the 28-year-old has experienced back-to-back career seasons. After recording career highs in goals, assists and points in 2017, however, he took his game to an elite level. Resetarits eclipsed his previous totals in all three offensive categories in 2017-18.
“After not making the playoffs for two years, something had to change in my approach to playing so I could help the team win,” he said. “I put the time and effort in during the offseason and during the season to keep myself in shape so that I could play my best game. The guys we had in the locker room this year all knew what potential we had. It was all about how we prepared ourselves.”
Last season, the Hamburg, NY native was among the top forwards in the game, finishing fourth in the league in points and tying for third in assists with teammate Cody Jamieson and Toronto’s Rob Hellyer. The Rochester forward also led the team with 37 goals, 63 assists and 100 points en route to his first Knighthawks’ Offensive MVP award.
“He has always been a good player, but he stepped up his game,” said Knighthawks assistant coach Mike Accursi, who took over the offense this season. “He was given the opportunity to have a little more time with the ball and had a phenomenal season. He continues to develop as a player, and continues to grow his game and leadership skills.”
Resetarits’ most impressive accomplishment last season was becoming the first American-born player in league history to reach the century mark in points in a single season. Now, he can add his first selection to an NLL All-Pro team to his list of accolades.
“I feel honored to be selected,” he said. “So many good players could have been selected. I never thought I would even be in consideration for this honor. I owe everything to my teammates and coaches who had confidence in me to give me chances to succeed.”
There was a noticeable difference in Resetarits’ approach to the game, as he played with a certain swagger this season. He was always there when Rochester needed a big goal. In fact, during the team’s run to the NLL Finals, he scored the game-winning goals in three straight wins. Being selected to the NLL Second Team All-Pro team was just the product of his commitment to the team and his dedication to his craft.
“He has always been a solid player, but this year he had a breakout season,” said Gage. “You could see he was playing with a lot of confidence. It’s nice to see a player who works so hard get the credit they deserve.”
“When the opportunity arose, ‘Rez’ stepped up the way we knew he would,” said Styres. “He produced (offensively) and became the first American to reach 100 points. This is also the first time he was voted to the Second All-Pro Team, which is one heck of an accomplishment.Goalie Matt Vinc, defenseman Graeme Hossack, and forward Joe Resetarits receive league honors.
PHILADELPHIA, PA. — The National Lacrosse League announced today that three members of the Rochester Knighthawks have been named league All-Pros. Goalie Matt Vinc and defenseman Graeme Hossack headlined the First Team, while forward Joe Resetarits earned Second Team honors.
The only other time three Knighthawks appeared on the All-Pro Teams was in 2007 when John Grant Jr., Shawn Williams and Steve Toll were honored during the team’s second championship season. In 1996, Rochester received a franchise record four selections with Paul Gait, Steve Dietrich, Duane Jacobs and Chris Driscoll earning All-Pro selections.
The latest honors capped off an offseason in which seven members of the organization were recognized for their efforts in 2017-18.
“It is great to be named alongside two valuable members of our team,” said Vinc. “Both players had great seasons and will be named All-Pros several more times throughout their careers.”
The 36-year-old netminder continues to add to his legacy as he earns his seventh NLL All-Pro nod and sixth as a First Team member. The acknowledgment follows his league-record sixth NLL Goaltender of the Year selection. During the 2017-18 season, the St. Catharines, Ontario native posted a 9-6 record and an 11.37 goals-against average. Vinc also finished second in save percentage (.782) and third in saves (651) as he led Rochester back to the NLL Finals.
Vinc also continued to move up the NLL’s all-time goaltending charts. During his 13th season, he passed Bob Watson for second place on the league’s all-time saves list and moved within 105 of overtaking Anthony Cosmo (7,222) for first overall. In 2017-18, Vinc overtook Knighthawks Hall of Famer Pat O’Toole for first place in postseason saves in team (749) and NLL (979) history.
“Matt is very deserving of being an All-Pro for the seventh time,” said Knighthawks VP of Player Personnel Jody Gage, who helped bring Vinc to Rochester via a trade with Colorado in 2010. “Back when we made the move to pick him up he was already one of the best goalies in the league.
“You have to give him credit because to do it over such a long period shows you the work that he puts in. He really works hard at his craft on and off the floor. It’s in his character. He wants to win; he wants to compete, and he wants to be the best. That’s why he is arguably one of the greatest goalies of all-time.”
Hossack won his first Defensive Player of the Year award following his third season in the NLL. This past year, he continued to play a dominating brand of lacrosse. In the process, he finished tied for the league lead with 34 caused turnovers and ended up third with a career-high 163 loose balls. The 25-year-old also set career highs in goals (seven), assists (seven), and points (14). Hossack joins the First Team for the first time in his career, following Second Team accolades during the 2017 season.
“It’s very gratifying,” said the Port Perry, Ontario native. “I had a pretty good year because of the help of my teammates. It’s nice to have the hard work that I put in recognized.”
With Vinc and Hossack leading the way on the floor and in the gym, Knighthawks Owner and General Manager Curt Styres said he has seen the duo transform the culture in the Knighthawks’ dressing room.
“The fitness training of Vinc and Graeme prepared them to be successful,” said Styres. “When ‘Vno’ came to Rochester he raised the fitness expectations; when we drafted Hossack, he raised those expectations again. Now it’s becoming a way of life for the Knighthawks family on how they prepare for the season because nobody wants to get left behind.”
All-Pro-Second-Team (1).jpgResetarits has significantly benefitted from his time in the gym, as well. Since rededicating himself to training and hitting the weights on a daily basis, the 28-year-old has experienced back-to-back career seasons. After recording career highs in goals, assists and points in 2017, however, he took his game to an elite level. Resetarits eclipsed his previous totals in all three offensive categories in 2017-18.
“After not making the playoffs for two years, something had to change in my approach to playing so I could help the team win,” he said. “I put the time and effort in during the offseason and during the season to keep myself in shape so that I could play my best game. The guys we had in the locker room this year all knew what potential we had. It was all about how we prepared ourselves.”
Last season, the Hamburg, NY native was among the top forwards in the game, finishing fourth in the league in points and tying for third in assists with teammate Cody Jamieson and Toronto’s Rob Hellyer. The Rochester forward also led the team with 37 goals, 63 assists and 100 points en route to his first Knighthawks’ Offensive MVP award.
“He has always been a good player, but he stepped up his game,” said Knighthawks assistant coach Mike Accursi, who took over the offense this season. “He was given the opportunity to have a little more time with the ball and had a phenomenal season. He continues to develop as a player, and continues to grow his game and leadership skills.”
Resetarits’ most impressive accomplishment last season was becoming the first American-born player in league history to reach the century mark in points in a single season. Now, he can add his first selection to an NLL All-Pro team to his list of accolades.
“I feel honored to be selected,” he said. “So many good players could have been selected. I never thought I would even be in consideration for this honor. I owe everything to my teammates and coaches who had confidence in me to give me chances to succeed.”
There was a noticeable difference in Resetarits’ approach to the game, as he played with a certain swagger this season. He was always there when Rochester needed a big goal. In fact, during the team’s run to the NLL Finals, he scored the game-winning goals in three straight wins. Being selected to the NLL Second Team All-Pro team was just the product of his commitment to the team and his dedication to his craft.
“He has always been a solid player, but this year he had a breakout season,” said Gage. “You could see he was playing with a lot of confidence. It’s nice to see a player who works so hard get the credit they deserve.”
“When the opportunity arose, ‘Rez’ stepped up the way we knew he would,” said Styres. “He produced (offensively) and became the first American to reach 100 points. This is also the first time he was voted to the Second All-Pro Team, which is one heck of an accomplishment.”