The Rochester Knighthawks made history last season by becoming the first team in league history to three-peat. Once again just like 2012 and 2013 the Knighthawks have very little turnover in their roster.
This season the Hawks are returning 16 players from last years roster, and 18 once Keogh and Brad Self come off the Physically Unable to Perform List.
Pre-season games for the Knighthawks seemed more focused on seeing what the players have in camp as opposed to winning the games. Top veterans like Cody Jamieson for example played only a half of each game just to work off any rust there may be. Knighthawks lost both of their pre-season matchups. They fell to Miles Thompson and the Minnesota Swarm 14-8 on December 6th, then eight days later the Rock defeated the Hawks 15-7 in Montreal. Veteran Jordan Hall who returns to the team had a great camp and played very well in the preseason. Gavin Prout who took 2013 off looked very well in the preseason but fell victim to the cut, at the same time Rochester signed Aaron Wilson who was released from the Bandits, and last played for Rochester in 2009.
With the Knighthawks returning 80% of last seasons roster (90% when Keogh/Self return) its obvious they are the front runners for an unprecedented fourth consecutive title. Should that happen they will be in another elite class. They will join the Toronto Rock and Philadelphia Wings as the only teams to win six titles.
But the Knighthawks and their fans know it will not come easy. They will have to contend with the Bandits who pushed them to the limit in the eastern finals, and the Calgary Roughnecks who came within minutes of winning the title last year.
The Knighthawks may have a minor problem during the season. League rules state you carry 20 active and 4 practice squad players. Currently Rochester has 20 active and 3 practice squad. Two big names Stephen Keogh and Brad Self are currently on the P.U.P. list. Once these 2 players are able to play, they will have to drop 1 to the practice squad, and possibly release another.
Here is the roster for the 2015 Rochester Knighthawks.
Forwards (7): Chris Attwood, Dan Dawson, Cody Jamieson, Craig Point, Cory Vitarelli, Joe Walters, Aaron Wilson.
Transition (2): Zac Reid, Jordan Hall.
Defensemen (9): Jamie Batson, Scott Campbell, Paul Dawson, Dylan Evans, Mike Kirk, Ian Llord, Scott Self, Sid Smith, Jon Sullivan.
Goalies (2): Angus Goodleaf, Matt Vinc.
Practice Squad: Mitch Dumont (D), Justin Pychel (D), Zach Williams (T).
Physically Unable to Perform List: Stephen Keogh (F), Brad Self (D).
Rochester opens their 21st season as they raise their 3rd consecutive Championship banner on January 3rd at 7:30 as they host the Toronto Rock.
