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NLL Rochester Knighthawks

Knighthawks Sign Anger and Lazore

November 10, 2015 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


The Rochester Knighthawks announced today that they have signed free agents Brendon Anger and Jake Lazore. The duo will join the team on Saturday, Nov. 21st, as the Knighthawks open their Training Camp at the East Rochester TSE.

"It's amazing," said Anger about signing with the Knighthawks. "Two years ago, I was coming out of Junior 'B' from Windsor and then I was going out west to play Senior 'A.' Now, I am getting this opportunity. Everything is happening really fast. I am enjoying it, it's pretty exciting."

Brendon spent the 2015 season with the Western Lacrosse Association's Coquitlam Adanacs. In 17 games, he posted 14 goals and 16 assists in his rookie year in the WLA. Heading to British Columbia to play his first season at the senior level was a memorable experience for the native of Tecumseh, Ontario.

"Going out west made it that much more special," said the 22-year-old forward. "Coquitlam treated me really well out there. It was a really fun year for me."

The previous five seasons, Anger played for the Junior "B" Windsor Clippers, tallying 190 goals and 192 assists in 124 games. His greatest offensive season was in 2014 when he finished as the top scorer in the Western Conference with 65 goals and 68 assists for 133 points.

"Going to the rink knowing you are going to score goals, that was my mentality," he said. "Every day was pretty fun knowing I was going to get the touches. It worked out for me and my team."

Anger will now take his game to the next level by attending his first NLL camp. As he prepares for the pro game, he has gone back to his roots to stay sharp.

"I just got home from out west and am visiting my family right now," he said. "But my junior team in Windsor plays every Sunday night, so I am running with the juniors to keep my feet going and my stick in my hands."

The Knighthawks have also inked goalie Jake Lazore. Lazore is joining his second NLL team after starting the 2013 season with the Philadelphia Wings. He will bring a year of NLL and senior ball experience to camp. This past summer, the Akwesasne native played for Native Sons and helped the team reach the Senior "B" Can-Am Finals.

"It's pretty exciting. I am really looking forward to it," said Lazore about his invitation to Knighthawks camp.

In less than two weeks, Lazore will join five-time NLL Goalie of the Year Matt Vinc and veteran Angus Goodleaf. Last season, the Rochester goalies held opponents to a league-low 173 goals against.

"I think I can learn a lot," said Lazore. "I looked up to Matt Vinc and I find that we have a very similar style. I am a lot like him where he has to move around the net a lot. Angus is a big guy and doesn't have to move as much. I can learn more about angles from him."

Lazore also has two years of pro experience in the Canadian Lacrosse League (CLax) on his resume. The 23-year-old netminder played for the Iroquois Ironmen in 2013 and for the Ohsweken Demons in 2014. In his rookie season, he captured the Creator's Cup championship with the Ironmen.

"That was really good just after coming out of juniors," said Lazore about winning the Cup. "They just called and asked if I wanted to play. The team was struggling at the time, but we turned things around and ended up winning it. It was real exciting."

At the Junior "A" level, Lazore was a standout with the Akwesasne Indians. In 34 starts from 2009-11, he was 11-10-1 with an impressive 10.78 goals-against average and a .749 save percentage. Once again, it was Lazore's persistence that paid off. It was answering a phone call for an emergency backup goalie that launched his junior career in 2009.

"I really liked it," he said about playing for his hometown team. "I finally got a call that the Indians needed a backup. I went and ended up getting the starting spot over that weekend. I played there the rest of the year."

In 2012, Lazore remained with the Indians as they moved to the Junior "B" circuit. Lazore posted staggering numbers, going 10-0 with a 5.69 goals-against average and a .774 save percentage. In the postseason, he guided Akwesasne to an appearance in the Junior "B" Finals.

Lazore will bring his vast goaltending experience to camp, joining Anger and four other free agents as they try to crack the Knighthawks' roster.

"It's really exciting and will be very challenging," said Lazore. "They have a lot of good shooters, but that's always fun."

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National Lacrosse League Stories from November 10, 2015


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