Knighthawks Sign Marty Hill

The Rochester Knighthawks have signed transition man Marty Hill to a one-year deal. The 24-year-old from Six Nations comes to the Knighthawks after spending two seasons in the National Lacrosse League.

“It feels pretty good. I am really happy about it,” said Hill. “Another reason I signed was that we have a big game against Buffalo this week.”

By signing with the Knighthawks, Hill rejoins the team that drafted him in 2010. Hill, who broke into the NLL with Buffalo, will be with the Knighthawks this weekend as they host the Buffalo Bandits on Saturday, January 31st. Rochester will try to build on its victory over Toronto last Saturday.

Like the three-time defending NLL champs, Hill has enjoyed multiple championships over the past three years. In 2012, he won the inaugural Canadian Lacrosse League’s Creator’s Cup with the Ohsweken Demons. One year later, he was raising the Mann Cup as a member of the Six Nations Chiefs. It was with the Chiefs that Hill played alongside Knighthawks Cody Jamieson, Sid Smith, Craig Point, Stephen Keogh, Ian Llord and Jon Sullivan. So, when he met the team for the first time this week, he saw many familiar faces.

“It makes it a lot easier and a better atmosphere. There are guys I know and played with before,” added Hill, who started playing back home when he was 3 years old.

Marty is the second member of his family to play for the Knighthawks. As a teenager, he watched his brother Stu play in Rochester during the 2009 season.

“I was there supporting him when he was there,” said Marty. “I am pretty excited. I have been working out and staying in shape and waiting for the call from somebody.”

The Demons transition man, who put up three points in two games this season in CLax, received the call he was awaiting for this week. It was Hill’s intelligence and ability to play offense and defense that prompted the Knighthawks to sign him.

“The thing I noticed about him was his lacrosse IQ and his game sense,” said Knighthawks Assistant Coach Jason Johnson, who coached Hill in minor lacrosse. “He has good stick skills, but what I like about him the most is that he is an overall smart player.”

Like several other Knighthawks, including Jamieson, Hill played his junior ball with the Six Nations Arrows. With his hometown team, he appeared in 38 regular season games over three seasons from 2009-11. Offensively, he contributed 38 goals and 73 assists for 111 points. Prior to making the jump to Junior “A” lacrosse, Hill played with the highly-successful Six Nations Rebels. In six seasons of Junior “B” lacrosse with the Six Nations Rebels, he won two Founders Cup titles (2007-08).

“Marty will bring a skill set that is much like Jordan Hall,” said Jamieson, who has won numerous Nations Cups and three Bowhunter Cups with Hill. “He is a guy who excels at both ends of the floor. He has contributed at every level so far, so I’m excited to see if he can translate his game to the pros.”

On Saturday, Hill will bring all of his experience and energy to the team that drafted him. He said he was looking forward to getting his chance with the Knighthawks.

“Rochester was always the team I wanted to play for,” said Hill. “I played a couple seasons in Buffalo, but I am glad to be back in Rochester.”