Knighthawks Honored by Junior Team
Published on June 23, 2012 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release
The St. Catharines Athletics went back in time Wednesday night. The A's honored former stars Matt Vinc, Mike Accursi, Pat McCready and Tyler Burton for winning the NLL championship with the Rochester Knighthawks.
The players participated in the ceremonial faceoff before the Athletics' Junior "A" game against the Peterborough Lakers at Bill Burgoyne Arena. With his teammates watching, Vinc did the honors of placing the ball midfield between St. Catharines' Joel Matthews and Peterborough's Brad Baker.
The Knighthawks have a large contingent of former A's on their roster, with defenseman Rory Glaves and Assistant Coach Paul Day both also having roots in Athletics' lacrosse.
"You can see what a hotbed of lacrosse St. Catharines is with four of the players on our team alone," said Vinc. "You look down the NLL rosters and there is someone with ties to St. Catharines. We are a pretty tight-knit community."
Vinc still relishes his days with the Athletics, even sporting the team's stylized A on the back of his Knighthawks helmet. Vinc won two championships in Juniors, backstopping St. Catharines to Minto Cup titles in 2001 and 2003.
Accursi, who played his Junior ball in St. Catharines from 1995-96, now coaches three teams in the Athletics' organization. He boasted that his son, Carter, is having an undefeated season at the Tyke level. Wednesday night was another chance to spend an evening at the arena.
"With the Junior A's, the Tyke team and my daughter's paperweight team, I am at the rink every night," said Accursi. "I love it; it's is a big part of my life. Guys should support the communities that helped them get to where they are."
On Wednesday, it was St. Catharines' turn to give back to Accursi and the other Knighthawks. The Rochester veteran won his third NLL title, scored two goals and added one assist as the Knighthawks rallied for a 9-6 victory over the Edmonton Rush.
McCready captained the Knighthawks to their third NLL title and was back at a St. Catharines game for the second time this summer. In May, the Junior "B" Spartans recognized McCready for winning the Champion's Cup.
"It was really nice to have Vinc, Accursi and Burton there and spend some time with guys that played with the Athletics," said McCready, who played junior lacrosse in his hometown from 1991-95. "Everyone was really happy for us and congratulated us."
Burton, the youngest of the group, played for the Athletics as recently as 2009. His career spanned four seasons, and he was honored as the team's Rookie of the Year in 2006. The 23-year-old won the NLL Championship in 2012 in just his second professional season.
"It's kind of hard to describe because I never thought it would happen," said Burton, who was signed by Rochester after attending a tryout camp in 2010. "I feel blessed to have played on the team with such great players."
National Lacrosse League Stories from June 23, 2012
- Knighthawks Honored by Junior Team - Rochester Knighthawks
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