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NLL Rochester Knighthawks

K-Hawks Trade Away Fifth Overall Pick, Claim Toronto's Aaron Wilson

September 7, 2008 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


(Rochester, NY)... The Rochester Knighthawks traded away their fifth overall pick in the 2008 NLL Entry Draft along with defender Stephen Hoar to the Toronto Rock in exchange for Toronto's first-round selection in the 2009 NLL Entry Draft and forward Aaron Wilson.

Wilson comes to Rochester after playing the last six years (2003-2008) with the Rock where he recorded 190 goals and added 144 assists for 334 points in 91 career games. The Kitchener, Ontario, native posted a career best 74 points (41+33) in the 2005 campaign. The 28-year-old also added 18 points (6+12) in five postseason appearances. For the past four seasons, the 5-foor-9, 170-pound right-hander appeared in all 16 regular season games for Toronto.

With their second-round pick (18th overall), the Knighthawks selected Cornell University graduate Joel McCready. A nephew of former Knighthawk Pat McCready, the 5-foot-10 transition man appeared in four games for the Big Red, notching two shots. Last season, he completed his first season in the Ontario Lacrosse Association playing Junior "A" ball with the St. Catharines Athletics. In 22 games, he finished fifth on the team with 47 points (24+23). His 24 goals were good enough for fourth on the team.

Prior to joining Cornell, McCready played four years at Holy Cross Secondary School, along with fellow freshman Michael Howe. He was named the team MVP as a senior and helped lead his team to the Ontario championship in his junior year. He also played four seasons on the football team, earning offensive MVP honors as a sophomore and defensive MVP honors as a senior.

Rochester used its 29th and 30th overall picks in the third round to tab defenseman Kyle Guadagnolo and forward Brendan Loftus from Syracuse University. Both players helped guide the Orange to the 2008 NCAA National Championship. In his junior year, the Jordan, NY, native started 13 games at close defense and was one of only five players to start every game. He also notched his first career point with an assist against Princeton. Guadagnolo entered the professional ranks with the Rochester Rattlers of Major League Lacrosse in 2008 and helped the team clinch its first MLL title in franchise history.

Loftus enters the NLL after an illustrious four-year career (2005-2008) at Syracuse University. In 49 career games for the Orange, the Watertown, NY, native has scored 30 goals and six assists for 36 points. He posted his best season in his senior year, tallying career highs in points (25), goals (21) and assists (4) while starting in all 18 games. The 6-foot-2, 203-pound forward finished the 2008 campaign sixth on the team in points and goals.

In the fourth round, Rochester selected Jesse Guerin as the 41st overall pick in the 2008 NLL Entry Draft. Guerin, who will be entering his first season in the NLL in 2009, completed his second season of Junior "A" lacrosse with the OLA's Peterborough Lakers. The 5-foot-8, 155-pound forward finished first on the team and tied for sixth in the league with 68 points (25+43) in 21 games. His 25 goals placed his first on the team and 11th in the league. Additionally, his 57 loose balls were also a team and league best as well. Guerin was the OLA Junior "A" points leader for three consecutive weeks during the regular season.

The Knighthawks used their fifth-round pick (54th overall selection) to grab defenseman Logan Kane from the OLA's Six Nations Arrows. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound hard-nosed defender also enters his first season in the NLL. Last season with Six Nations, Kane picked up 12 points (3+9) in 18 games under head coach and Knighthawks General Manager Regy Thorpe. Kane helped guide the Arrows to the 2007 Minto Cup, earning two goals, one assist and eight PIM. Kane has been a member of Junior "A" Six Nations since the 2006 season.

Kane was also a member of the Onondaga Community College from 2007-2008. As a midfielder, he recorded his best season for the Lazers, establishing career highs in points (22), assists (12) and points (34) in 14 games as he helped guide the team to its four consecutive Region III championship in 2008. The Lazers also clinched their eighth straight Mid-State Conference Championship last season. The Lazers were the No. 1 seed in the NJCAA National Tournament and reached the national semifinal game. Kane was named to the Honorable Mention All-Region team. In 2007, Kane recorded four goals in seven games.

With its final selection in the 2008 NLL Entry Draft, Rochester used its 67th overall pick in the sixth round to select Mitch Nanticoke of the Six Nations Arrows. Nanticoke, a teammate of Kane's in Six Nations, completed the 2008 season fourth on the team in scoring with 46 points (20+26) in 15 games. His 20 goals were good enough for third on the team. In 2007, Nanticoke had three points (2+1) in the postseason for the Arrows to help Six Nations capture the Minto Cup.

Rochester enters its 15th season of professional lacrosse in 2009 and takes aim at its 14th playoff appearance. In 2007, the Knighthawks won their second title, capturing the Champion's Cup. Rochester won its first championship in 1997. The Knighthawks home opener is scheduled for Saturday, January 10th against the Chicago Shamrox at 8:05 p.m. at The Blue Cross Arena.

ROCHESTER PICKS:

First Round:

Trade 5th overall pick and Stephen Hoar to Toronto in exchange for Toronto's first-round pick in the 2009 NLL Entry Draft and forward Aaron Wilso

Second Round:

18th overall pick - Joel McCready

Third Round:

29th overall pick - Kyle Guadagnolo

30th overall pick - Brendal Loftus

Fourth Round:

41st overall pick - Jesse Guerin

Fifth Round:

54th overall pick - Logan Kane

Sixth Round:

67th overall pick - Mitch Nanticoke

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