Tyler Burton did not have long to celebrate his new two-year deal with the Rochester Knighthawks. Just one day later, Burton was at The Blue Cross Arena preparing for the team’s season opener.
“I started here, I love the coaching staff and everything to do with this team,” said the fourth-year pro. “I am just really happy to be here.”
The London, Ontario native has won back-to-back championships with Rochester after originally signing with the team in 2010, following an impressive showing at the Knighthawks’ Free Agent Camp. Assistant Coach Jason Johnson has been impressed with his play since the first time he saw the 6-0, 218-pound defenseman.
“He’s a big, strong body who helps on faceoffs. He crashes and bangs, which suits his attributes,” said Johnson. “He brings a different dimension to us.”
Burton made an immediate impact for the Knighthawks in 2011, playing in 14 games during his rookie season. He collected 61 loose balls, forced 11 turnovers, and won 49 faceoffs. For his efforts, he was named the team’s 2011 Most Improved Player.
Over his three seasons, he has shown his versatility. In 40 games, he has four goals, three assists and 157 loose balls. More importantly, he ranks sixth in franchise history with 169 faceoff wins. During the 2013 Playoffs, he earned two assists and seven loose balls in three games.
“He plays a simple game and does everything well. He doesn’t do anything extravagant or get us a lot of goals, but on ‘D” you can trust him in any situation,” said Assistant Coach Pat O’Toole. “When he is out there, you can put him on the draw and you know he is going to do a great job. The biggest thing for me is I can put him out there at any time and be comfortable with him being out there.”
Burton improved his game during an impressive four years at Mercyhurst University. In 2009, he led Mercyhurst with 37 points as a junior. Burton also finished the season with a team-best 13 assists, and was second with 24 goals. As a senior, the Lakers’ captain was a Second Team All-American and a First Team All-East Coast Conference selection. He set a career-high with 26 goals.
In addition to his collegiate career, Burton’s lacrosse resume includes four seasons with the Junior “A” St. Catharines Athletics (2006-09). He was the team’s Rookie of the Year in 2006 and given the Doug Fraser Award for Leadership in 2009. In 2011, he won a Mann Cup with Brampton and two years later he was back in the championship series with the Victoria Shamrocks.
“He is a quiet guy who does a lot of hard work. He’s a trustful guy back there, he’s tough, he can take faceoffs and he can push the ball,” said Assistant Captain Mike Kirk. “He is an all-around good player to have on defense.”
