NLL Rochester Knighthawks

Knighthawks announce 23-man roster.doc

December 14, 2006 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


(Rochester, NY)... Rochester Knighthawks have announced their 23-man roster for the 2007 National Lacrosse League season. Rochester returns 20 players from the team that advanced to the East Division Finals last season. Ed Comeau also returns for his second season as the team's head coach after guiding Rochester to a 9-7 record.

Rochester returns all of its offensive weapons from a season ago. Perennial All-Pro John Grant leads a talented group of forwards that includes Shawn Williams, Mike Accursi, Scott and Shawn Evans, Ken Millin and Brian Croswell. Last season, the Knighthawks finished third in the league with 196 goals. Grant was the key contributor, scoring a league-best 54 goals.

In transition, Rochester relies on Stephen Hoar, Chris Schiller, Pat Dutton, Steve Toll, Sandy Chapman and Bill Greer. David Brown was also moved from the practice squad to the active roster and will split time between defense and transition. In 2006, Toll led the team with 119 loose balls and was sixth on the team with 32 points (14+18). Hoar led the team with 221 face-off wins last season and is coming off a strong summer with the Rochester Rattlers (Major League Lacrosse), and a gold-medal victory with Team Canada at the 2006 World Lacrosse Championship.

Rochester also acquired transition player Luke Forget from the Portland LumberJax in the offseason. Last season, he appeared in 14 games and notched three goals, six assists and 81 loose balls. He broke into the NLL in 2005 with the Toronto Rock.

On defense, the team returns Mike Hasen, Regy Thorpe, Marshall Abrams, Scott Ditzell and Pat Cougevan. Thorpe enters his 13th season with the franchise, while veterans Hasen and Cougevan begin their ninth seasons with the Knighthawks. Rochester also added depth with the addition of Jack Reid. Reid was the Knighthawks first-round selection (10th overall) in the 2006 NLL Entry Draft. At UMASS, he served was a senior captain and helped lead the Minutemen to the 2006 Division I Finals. Reid was also a 2006 USILA First Team All-American and was named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team. The 6-3, 220-pound native of Providence, Rhode Island, was also the 2006 ECAC Defensive Player of the Year. This summer, he also played in nine games and registered two goals, one assist and 25 ground balls for the Rattlers.

In the goal, the Knighthawks have 2002-03 Goaltender of the Year and former All-Pro Pat O'Toole. O'Toole is the franchise's all-time leader in wins (69) and saves (3,802). Last season, he led the NLL with 598 saves. Backing up O'Toole is veteran Mike Miron. The Knighthawks acquired the goalie from the Arizona Sting. The netminder has a career 24-29 record and led the Sting to the 2004 Champion's Cup Finals.

The Rochester Knighthawks will open their 13th season of professional lacrosse on Saturday, December 30th against the defending National Lacrosse League champion Colorado Mammoth. Game time is set for 9:00 p.m. at the Pepsi Center. The Knighthawks return to action after making their 12th playoff appearance in the team's 12-year history. Last season, Rochester finished with a 9-7 record and advanced to the East Division Finals.

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