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Rochester Knighthawks

Walters Signs Longest Contract of Career

November 23, 2015 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


Rochester native Joe Walters has re-signed with the Rochester Knighthawks for an additional four seasons. Walters, who played his high school ball at Irondequoit, will enter his eighth season with the Knighthawks in 2016.

"Four years is the longest of my career," he said. "I love the Knighthawks and am excited to spend my career here in the city where I was born and raised."

Last season, the Rochester forward set career highs in goals (20), assists (33) and points (53), while finishing second on the team with three game-winning goals. He was also named the team's Community Service Award winner for the sixth time in his career (2010-15), as he talked to thousands of kids about the signs of bullying and the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. This summer, he added camp director to his resume by taking over the Knighthawks Lacrosse Camps.

"Joe has gotten better every year and last year was a career year for him," said Knighthawks assistant coach Paul Day. "He has been clutch in big games and you have not seen his best yet. There is still more to come."

Signed as a free agent in November of 2008, the highly-decorated field lacrosse player has become one of the most consistent performers in team playoff history. In 2013, he scored the game-winning goal to help the Knighthawks win back-to-back titles for the first time in team history. Then in 2014, with Rochester trailing 2-0 in the final game of the Champion's Cup Finals, he setup two goals and scored the game-tying goal to give Rochester a 3-2 win over Calgary in the 10-minute tiebreaker game. The win secured the team's unprecedented third straight championship.

"We were down by two with under three minutes left," said Walters. "We came down and I hit Craig Point for the first goal. The next possession I scored the game-tying goal, which was the biggest goal of my career. Then I assisted on the game-winning goal. That 10-minute tiebreaker game was the biggest lacrosse thrill of my career."

Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen has witnessed the evolution of Walters' game, having coached him in Major Series Lacrosse in 2011, which was his breakout summer. Not only did Walters hone his indoor lacrosse skills, but he won a Mann Cup as well. It was shortly after that summer season that Walters established himself as an impact player for the Knighthawks.

"All the credit goes to JW. He is the one who put in the time and made himself a lot better," said Hasen. "He is clutch, especially in the playoffs. He had a dynamite year and we expect more big things from him next year."

In his seven seasons in Rochester, Walters has recorded 57 goals and 129 assists in 88 games. In the postseason, he has 12 goals and 37 assists in just 16 games. In 2015, Walters also extended his playoff point streak to 15 games, which is the longest in franchise history.

Since the 2011 campaign, Walters has increased his point total every season, which is no surprise to longtime teammate Dan Dawson "He has a commitment to always improving his game," said the former NLL MVP.

Walters, who was a season ticket holder as a kid, has been living his dream since first playing for the Knighthawks in 2009. Three championships later, the 30-year-old forward has refocused on getting back to the Champion's Cup Finals and bringing another trophy back to his hometown.

"We're back to chasing our goal of winning a championship," said Walters. "A new challenge is on the horizon, and we can't wait to get started."

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