The New England Black Wolves have, for the second straight offseason, been the most active team in free agency and trades. With the signings of Jay Thorimbert and Chad Culp, and the contract of Shawn Evans on the books from a trade last fall, the team may have had to shed some off of their cap.
If so, they did that move in the form of trading defender Andrew Suitor to the Rochester Knighthawks. Suitor, who was acquired from the then-Minnesota Swarm at the 2015 NLL trade deadline, has missed parts of two seasons with ACL injuries, but in his prime was one of the top defenders in the league and the captain of the Swarm.
“I am ecstatic and I am at a loss for words,” said Suitor in a Knighthawks press release. “It’s a team I always hoped to have an opportunity to play for. Seeing them go on that run a few years ago with three in a row, how could you not want to play there? Going through the roster of guys, how is that not a team you’d want to go battle with?”
New England’s defense is still deep, headed by veterans Derek Suddons and Brett Manney, along with Dan Ball, John Ranagan, and Mike McNamara coming off of solid seasons. Suitor joins a Rochester defensive unit led by Sid Smith with veterans Jon Sullivan, Dylan Evans, and Scott Campbell, along with 2016 rookie of the year candidate Graeme Hossack.
Meanwhile, the Black Wolves add Searle, the 29th overall pick this year, and a second round pick next season. In his rookie season last year, Searle played in four games without contributing a point, picking up seven penalty minutes and 15 loose balls.
Searle had signed a two year extension with the Knighthawks before the trade, and the Black Wolves will inherit the contract. Suitor was still under contract from Minnesota in 2013 after he had signed a five year agreement, and his contract will run out after the 2018 season.
