The 2016 NLL Draft is thsevening and the Rochester Knighthawks have two selections in Round 1 (6-7 overall). Just two years ago the talk was “can Rochester make it four in a row?” That season ended with the Rock dismantling the Knighthawks in game two, and the mini-game was a complete collapse. Last season the Knighthawks had the worst season in team history by going 7-11 and allowing a franchise high 215 goals against and missing the playoffs for the first time since Mike Hasen took the helm in 2011.
Since the season ended the ball started to roll on signings, trades, etc. On July 7th the Knighthawks signed Brad Gillies to a four year deal and Scott Campbell to a three year deal.
Some other signings:
Quinn Powless , Joel Matthews to four year agreements
Cory Vitarelli to a three year agreement
Adam Bomberry to a two year agreement.
Scott Self to a one year agreement.
Then on August 15th the Knighthawks traded Derek Searle, 29th selection in this years draft and a second round in 2019 for Andrew Suitor. This will seriously help the Knighthawks on the face-offs and transition were they struggled last season. But, Suitor does come with some injury baggage.
In 2013 while with the Swarm her tore the ACL in his right knee. Then in 2015 in his fourth game with the Blackwolves following a trade, he tears his ACL in the left knee. Once Suitor was cleared to play he saw action in six games last season, registering (1G/1A). The Knighthawks rolled the dice on this, and they are hoping that Suitor stays healthy for the season.
Editor in Chief InLacrosseWeTrust.com Marisa Ingemi posted a full mock draft and shows the following two selections for Rochester in round 1. Should Rochester go trade free, this is how the mock draft falls for the Knighthawks.
After Round 1 Rochester doesn’t select til the fourth round, this makes these two selections so important.
- Rochester (from New England): Matt Hossack, RD, Brooklin
The brother of Graeme Hossack, Matt also has some serious defensive talent. He had a stellar summer with the Redmen to prove that he can play at the highest levels. He stays out of the box and can still be a physical player, and is the kind of talent who wouldn’t play like a rookie, but a veteran in his first year in the league.
- Rochester (from Colorado): Warren Hill, G, Six Nations/Syracuse
If the Knighthawks want to add a heir to Matt Vinc in net, Warren Hill is nearly a perfect fit. Jamieson isn’t going to fall to the seven spot between Saskatchewan and Georgia both getting picks, so it would make a ton of sense for the Hawks to grab Hill.
Defense is the way to go for Knighthawks this season, especially if they want to reduce the goals against from last years 215 and get back into the playoff race to battle for the Champions Cup.
Rochester’s other selections via mock draft:
Round 4/34th Rochester: Korin Sunday, RD, Snake Island/Utica
Sunday is a solid stay at home defender who has won two bronze titles with the Iroquois national teams. He has a 41 point season in his Jr B career, and began playing at the Sr level last season with Snake Island. He’s able to play a transition game but is a solid defenseman.
Round 5/ 43rd Rochester: Tyler Glligan, LD, Whitby/Marquette
For a young program, Marquette has produced a good amount of pro talent. With Whitlow projected to go earlier on in this draft, Gilligan also has some indoor experience with Whitby, where he posted 46 penalty minutes in his last season. He hasn’t played much indoor since he began his college career, but he has shown the talent to handle the box game and is worth a look in later rounds.
Round 6/51st Rochester: Dylan Gatt, RT, St. Kitts/Bellarmine
Gatt broke out for St. Kitts in 2016 with 42 points over 19 games for a career high in Jr A. He could be worth a shot for the Knighthawks, and he played his college ball at Bellarmine, a school that has produced more than a few NLL prospects.
