NLL Rochester Knighthawks

Goodleaf Returns to Active Roster

Published on January 16, 2014 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


The Rochester Knighthawks have moved goalie Angus Goodleaf to the active roster from the physically unable to perform list (PUP). Goodleaf, 26, enters his second season with the Knighthawks after winning the first Champion's Cup of his career in May.

"The wait was a little longer than I expected to get back in there, but I'm ready to go now and do whatever I can to help this team win," said Goodleaf.

In 2013, he finished the season with a 0.00 goals-against average and a 1.000 save percentage, backing up National Lacrosse League Goaltender of the Year Matt Vinc. The NLL title was the second championship in four seasons for Goodleaf, who won the 2010 Mann Cup with the Peterborough Lakers. He returns to the back-to-back World Champions after a stellar summer in which he recorded an 8-1 record and a 7.89 goals-against average with the Senior "B" Six Nations Rivermen.

The NLL veteran has appeared in 50 games in his career and enters the 2014 season with a 10.86 goals-against average and .767 save percentage. He spent his first three seasons with the Buffalo Bandits. Goodleaf joined the Knighthawks on January 16, 2013.

"'Gussy' certainly knows his role and he is one of the best backup goalies in the league," said Knighthawks Assistant Captain Mike Kirk. "He plays well positionally and is a tough goalie to beat."

At the Junior "A" level, he was a member of the Six Nations Arrows in 2008 and led the team to a berth in the Ontario Finals. The previous season, he guided Burnaby to an appearance in the Minto Cup. On the international level, he won a silver medal with the Iroquois Nationals at the 2011 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships. Goodleaf, who is from Kahanwake (Mohawk Nation), has also played for the Iroquois in the Bowhunter Cup from 2011-12.

"We are glad to have him back and know he's ready to go," said Knighthawks Assistant Coach Jason Johnson. "He's a solid backup and the guys like him, whether it's in the dressing room or on the floor. He brings a more relaxed side to the game."

With Goodleaf back on the active roster, Rochester moved goalie Mikey Thompson to the Holdout List. Knighthawks and National Lacrosse League Hall of Fame goalie Pat O'Toole made sure to thank Thompson for his service to the team the past four weeks.

"He retired at the top of his game so we knew he could play. He gave us a legitimate NLL goalie to backup 'Vno' (Matt Vinc)," said O'Toole. "He did us a big favor and agreed to do play after he found out it was a temporary thing. He thought of his buddy first (Goodleaf) and knew he was going to do it for a while until his friend got healthy and was able to play again."

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National Lacrosse League Stories from January 16, 2014


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