The Rochester Knighthawks have announced the signing of Kyle Pereira to a three-year deal. In Pereira, Rochester adds a two-sport star who is currently playing Canadian collegiate hockey at St. Mary’s University.
“It feels incredible to get the opportunity,” he said about joining the defending NLL Champion Knighthawks. “Signing with such a storied franchise, with a history of winning like Rochester does, is awesome.”
The 23-year-old has spent the past three seasons with the Brampton Excelsiors of Major Series Lacrosse. In 2014, he notched career highs in games played (16), goals (seven), assists (seven) and points (14). In Brampton, Pereira played alongside Knighthawks Assistant Captain Mike Kirk.
“He is an all-around athlete who will bring a lot of athleticism to the team,” said Kirk. “He plays both ends of the floor.”
The hockey defenseman is currently in his third season with the St. Mary’s University Huskies. By playing Canadian university hockey, Pereira is going down the same path as Knighthawks transition man Brad Self, who went from the Ontario Hockey League to St. Mary’s. In fact, they both have played for legendary Huskies’ Head Coach Trevor Stienburg. Like Self, Pereira will make the jump to the National Lacrosse League after his hockey career is over.
The Brampton native also played four seasons in the OHL, splitting time with the Brampton Battalion and the Guelph Storm. In 2011-12, he was the winner of the Roger Neilson Memorial Award, given to the league’s top post-secondary student. While in Brampton, he played with future NHLers Cody Hodgson (Buffalo) and Matt Duchene (Colorado).
Although playing high-level hockey, Pereira stayed close to his lacrosse roots. In 2012, he played in 48 games following a five-year hiatus to focus on junior hockey. That summer, he was selected in the third round of the NLL Entry Draft by the Toronto Rock.
“When I came back, Mike Hasen was one of the first guys who called me up and showed a lot of confidence in me. He was a real big influence, especially that year because it was such a big transition,” said Pereira. “Jumping into a high level after taking a couple of years off, I just felt real comfortable with Mike, Pat O’Toole and the other members of the coaching staff. The organization’s success speaks for itself. There are familiar faces and this felt like a real good fit.”
Pereira led Junior “B” lacrosse with 66 goals and was fourth with 113 points in 20 games before getting called up to the Junior “A” Excelsiors. He ended the 2012 season with the major team, playing for current Knighthawks Head Coach Mike Hasen and Assistant Coach Pat O’Toole. This season, he will also be reunited with former Brampton teammates Mike Kirk, Dylan Evans, Joe Walters, Matt Vinc, and Dan and Paul Dawson.
“He is a very skilled player. His biggest asset is his willingness to learn,” said O’Toole. “As a rookie, he took everything in from the veteran players. He will play any role you ask of him, and do it well.”
