The Rochester Knighthawks announced today that they have re-signed transition man Joel McCready to a one-year deal for the 2014 National Lacrosse League season.
“I am extremely excited. I have been counting down the days to training camp and just can’t wait to get on the floor and go to work,” said McCready.
McCready and the Knighthawks will open their Training Camp on Saturday, November 23rd at the new state-of-the-art Unity Health System Total Sports Experience (TSE) in East Rochester. The Knighthawks will begin their quest to become the first team in NLL history to win three straight championships.
McCready enters his fifth season in the NLL and fifth with the Knighthawks in 2014. In 2013, he recorded career highs in games (15), goals (seven) and assists (eight) en route to his first Champion’s Cup. McCready played in two of the team’s three playoff games, including the Championship Game against the Washington Stealth.
“Winning last year was a childhood dream come true,” said McCready, who raised the Cup in the same arena where he plays summer lacrosse for the Langley Thunder.
McCready has played for the Thunder in the Western Lacrosse Association for the past four years. He had a breakout season in 2012, finishing fifth on the team in points with 33 (13+20) in 17 games. He also advanced to the Mann Cup Finals in consecutive seasons (2011-12).
He brought that offense back to Rochester in 2013 after taking a year off to focus on his firefighting career. In his NLL career, McCready has appeared in 38 games and notched nine goals, 12 assists and 144 loose balls. He was originally drafted out of Cornell University by the Knighthawks in the second-round (18th overall) of the 2008 NLL Entry Draft.
In 2011, he achieved a rarity in professional sports, playing alongside his uncle Pat McCready with the Knighthawks. After Pat retired an NLL Champion in 2012, Joel changed his number from 4 to 10. This year, he will continue to carry on the family tradition and wear his uncle’s number.
“I am extremely honored and excited to put on the jersey and get back on the floor with this group,” he said.
