Since Rochester nabbed NLL legend Shawn Evans in the 2019 NLL Expansion Draft from the Buffalo Bandits, it’s safe to say that the Knighthawks made out like, well… bandits.
The newly renovated Rochester Knighthawks “expansion team” finally made it past the expansion draft and now has its core group of guys to get the new season going in December of this year.
The Knighthawks, who were drafting alongside the newly formed New York Riptide, had the first-overall pick in the draft and kicked it off with a bang!
The Knighthawks took the GOAT (in this writer’s humble opinion) in Shawn Evans from the Buffalo Bandits, bringing Evy back home from where he was originally drafted and kicked off his NLL career. Not only is Evy still producing huge numbers in the league each season but by being around he brings major leadership to the team.
Rochester made some big moves in the few days surrounding the draft as they took Holden Cattoni (Forward), Rylan Hartley (Forward), Shane Simpson (Defense), Curtis Knight (Forward), Dan Lintner (Forward), Frank Brown (Transition), Matthew Bennett (Defense), Steve Fryer (Goalie), Chris Wardle (Forward) and Brandon Goodwin (Transition) in the Expansion Draft.
The Rochester Knighthawks then traded Brandon Goodwin to the Vancouver Warriors in exchange for their third-round selection in the 2019 Entry Draft.
Finally, the Knighthawks then traded Simpson to the San Diego Seals in exchange for Turner Evans (Forward).
Rochester had a phenomenal draft and came out with not only the better picks, but added in those three extra moves to improve this club.
So, where does this place Rochester ahead of the draft in September? The team received MAJOR pieces to their roster all within a day of this draft. Heading into September’s draft, Dan Carey and the club should feel very happy on where they currently sit knowing the big pieces they already have at hand.
In addition the Knighthawks have named Mike Hasen the team’s head coach, with Pat O’Toole and Matt Giles as the assistant coaches.
New look, new players, new turf, a new coach and a whole new feel! Rochester is beyond pumped and ready for this season to kick off.
