NLL Rochester Knighthawks

Knighthawks Sign Goaltender Derek Collins to Two-Year Deal

January 7, 2009 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


(Rochester, NY)... Rochester Knighthawks General Manager Regy Thorpe announced today that the team has signed veteran goalie Derek Collins to a two-year deal. In a related move, the Knighthawks released forward Shawn Wilkins.

"Derek will add depth to our goalie position. He has gained a lot of experience the last few summers playing in Peterborough," said Thorpe. "He also has a lot of experience in the NLL, as well. He played here in the past and is familiar with many of our players and coaches."

Collins enters his 10th season in professional lacrosse and makes his second stop in Rochester, having played for the Knighthawks in 1996. He has also played for teams in Baltimore, Syracuse, Buffalo, Ottawa, Calgary and Chicago. In his career, he has played in 102 regular season games and earned a 14.68 goals-against average and a .730 save percentage. In 2008, he was 0-5 with a 10.48 goals-against average and a .777 save percentage for the Chicago Shamrox.

"It feels great," said Collins about returning to Rochester. "I was hoping Rochester was the team I ended up with after Chicago. I did end up in Rochester, but it happened in a roundabout way."

Collins has also played 13 seasons in the Ontario Lacrosse Association Major Series. The Toronto native began his career in Brooklin (1995-96) before moving on to play for the Peterborough Lakers, where he has remained for the past 11 seasons (1997-2008). In 2006, he was the co-winner of the Harry Lumley Award, given to the Ontario Lacrosse Association Major Series Team with the best goals-against average, while with the Peterborough Lakers. That same season, he backstopped the Lakers to the Mann Cup championship in 2006. He was also a key member of the Lakers' 2007 Mann Cup championship team.

The Knighthawks open their 15th season against a longtime rival, the Philadelphia Wings, in an 8:05 p.m. East Division showdown at The Blue Cross Arena on Saturday, January 10th.

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