Game on: Knighthawks Open Preseason Schedule
Published on December 5, 2011 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release
(Rochester, December 5)... The Rochester Knighthawks will get a preview of their opening night opponent when they travel to play the Philadelphia Wings Sunday afternoon in a National Lacrosse League preseason game. Rochester will battle the Wings on Sunday, December 11th at 1:00 p.m. at the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton, NJ. The game will be broadcast live on Sportsradio 950 ESPN.
The preseason game is the first of two this month with the Knighthawks hosting the Minnesota Swarm on Saturday, December 17th at The Blue Cross Arena. The games are an opportunity for the Rochester coaches and lacrosse staff to evaluate talent to get the roster down to 26 players. The trip will also allow the players a chance to build chemistry on and off the turf.
"It breaks up practicing against each other and gives the team a chance to be together, bond a little and prepare as a group against an opponent," said Hasen. "That was the intention when we asked for this game."
The same two teams will meet at the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday, January 14th at 7:00 p.m. That night, the Knighthawks will open their 18th season of professional lacrosse. Rochester will face a Wings team that now includes Dan Dawson, Brodie Merrill and No. 1 overall pick Kevin Crowley. The Wings finished the 2011 season with a 5-11 record and missed the playoffs. Johnny Mouradian will make his Wings head coaching debut on Sunday. Mouradian, who also serves as the general manager, is the only GM in the NLL to win five championships. With changes to the coaching staff and the roster, the game will provide the Knighthawks will advance scouting of the Wings before the regular season begins.
"It will give us a good scout and a good read on a changed Philadelphia team that we expect to be really improved," said Hasen. "It will allow us to iron out some things before the opener."
The Knighthawks have undergone changes, as well, with 12 new players on their roster. The draft picks still in camp include Stephen Keogh, Johnny Powless, Joel White, Kyle Andrews, Aaron Tackaberry and Grant Catalino. Offseason acquisitions Mike Kirk and Alex "Kedoh" Hill will also make their Knighthawks' debuts. The youngsters will play for Head Coach Mike Hasen, and assistant coaches Paul Day, Jason Johnson and Pat O'Toole.
Last season, the group led the Knighthawks to a 10-6 record and a return to the NLL Playoffs. The Knighthawks rise from 7-9 and a fifth-place finish to a first-place tie in the East Division was recognized around the NLL. The Knighthawks had a banner offseason with a league-record six individual awards, to go along with one All-Rookie team selection and two All-Pro selections. Owner Curt Styres (NLL General Manager of the Year and NLL Executive of the Year), Hasen (Head Coach of the Year), Jordan Hall (Sportsmanship Award), Pat McCready (Defensive Player of the Year) and Matt Vinc (Goaltender of the Year) all received NLL hardware. Cody Jamieson was second in Rookie of the Year honors and was named to the All-Rookie Team. Vinc and McCready earned First Team All-Pro honors.
"Vno" became only the second goalie in NLL history with back-to-back Goaltender of the Year honors. In 2011, Vinc led the league with 585 saves and topped the goaltending category for the third straight season, becoming only the second netminder to accomplish that feat in the 25-year history of the National Lacrosse League. He ranked first in save percentage (.794), tied for second in wins (10) and third with a 9.77 goals-against average.
The Knighthawks not only return Vinc, but stars like Jamieson, Craig Point, Hall, defenseman Sid Smith, and veterans Chris Schiller and Mike Accursi.
"I'm excited to play someone else besides my teammates. But at the same time, it is still preseason so we want to go out there and work on our principles. It should be fun," said Jamieson, who is the Knighthawks' top returning scorer from last season.
The Knighthawks and "No Limits Lacrosse" action will return to Rochester to close out the preseason on Saturday, December 17th against the Minnesota Swarm at 7:00 p.m. at The Blue Cross Arena. FREE Tickets are available online at Knighthawks.net. Fans must have a ticket to enter the game. For more information or to purchase season tickets, call (585) 454-HAWK (4295).
Make sure to check out the home opener on Saturday, January 21st against the rival Buffalo Bandits to have a chance to win a trip for two to Las Vegas (includes hotel, airfare and $2,000 cash) as part of the Knighthawks' Millionth Fan Promotion. To order season tickets, fans can call a sales representative at (585) 454-HAWK (4295) or go online to Knighthawks.net.
National Lacrosse League Stories from December 5, 2011
- Rock Trim Training Camp Roster - Toronto Rock
- Game on: Knighthawks Open Preseason Schedule - Rochester Knighthawks
- Mammoth Burgundy Defeats Mammoth White Twice at Training Camp - Colorado Mammoth
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