NLL Rochester Knighthawks

Rochester signs first rounder Mat MacLeod to two-year deal

Published on November 16, 2007 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Rochester Knighthawks News Release


(Rochester, NY)... The Rochester Knighthawks announced today that the team has signed first-round draft choice Mat MacLeod to a two-year deal. The contract is pending league approval. The Knighthawks selected the 19-year-old forward in the 2007 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft.

The Knighthawks also signed former Nazareth College star Ryan Hotaling, Rochester Rattlers forward Brandon Spillett and Six Nations? forward Dan Hill. All three players agreed to one-year deals, which are pending league approval.

The Knighthawks picked MacLeod (Orangeville, Ontario) with the eighth overall selection in the ?07 draft. MacLeod recorded 74 goals and 102 assists in 62 games in three seasons with the Orangeville Northmen. In 2007, he finished fifth in Ontario Lacrosse Association Junior ?A? with 65 points (30+35) in 18 games. In the playoffs, he was also fifth with 23 goals and 15 assists in 15 games as the Northmen advanced to the OLA Junior "A" Finals.

Hotaling was a three-time All-American for the Golden Flyers (2005-07). The Syracuse native finished his college career third in school history with 232 points (139+93) in 59 games. In 2007, he was named the Empire 8 Conference Player of the Year. In 2005, he was honored with the Lt. Col. J.I. (Jack) Turnbull Award as the Outstanding Attackman in Division III as Nazareth advanced to the national semifinals.

Spillett is familiar with Rochester, having played for the Rattlers of Major League Lacrosse in 2007. The Liverpool, NY, native played in 10 games and collected 19 goals and nine assists for 28 points. The forward was the Rattlers? fifth-round selection (43rd overall) in the 2007 MLL Supplemental Draft. He played his college lacrosse at nearby Le Moyne College from 2002 to 2005. He completed his career with 112 goals, 73 assists and 185 points. He also finished third on the program's all-time goals list, fourth in assists and sixth in total points.

Hill played for the Mann Cup champion Six Nations Arrows of the Ontario Lacrosse Association (Junior ?A?). The forward played under Rochester Knighthawks defensemen Regy Thorpe (head coach), Marshall Abrams (assistant coach) and Shawn Williams (assistant coach). In 2007, Hill recorded three assists in four games. In the postseason, he had nine goals and 10 assists in 12 games.

The defending champion Knighthawks begin their 14th season with a home-and-home series against the rival Buffalo Bandits. The game is a rematch of last year?s East Division Finals. Rochester opens the season on Friday, January 11th at HSBC Arena. On Saturday, January 12th, the Knighthawks will raise their championship banner prior to hosting the Bandits at 7:35 p.m. at The Blue Cross Arena at the Rochester War Memorial.

Rochester captured the 2007 NLL Champion?s Cup on May 12th, defeating the Arizona Sting 13-11 at Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Arizona. The win was the team?s 15th straight and capped a 17-2 season. The championship was the second in the franchise?s history. The Knighthawks last won the title in 1997.

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National Lacrosse League Stories from November 16, 2007


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