The Rochester Knighthawks announced today that they have signed forward Joe Resetarits to a three-year deal. Resetarits, who was acquired prior to the 2015 Trade Deadline, was a key late-season addition to the Knighthawks’ lineup.
“That really means a lot and shows how Rochester feels about me,” said Resetarits about his new deal. “I am anxious to go out and prove myself, and win a championship. (Last year) I really learned so much from the coaching staff and the players. It was such a confidence booster from Day One. I couldn’t be more excited to be back, especially for another three years.”
The Hamburg, NY native, who was acquired from the Buffalo Bandits, concluded his third season in the National Lacrosse League with career highs in assists (28) and points (48). He also provided the Knighthawks with a hard-nosed, off-ball forward, which is something that the team needed down the stretch and during its playoff run.
“Joe brings a unique skill set to the offense,” said Knighthawks forward Joe Walters. “He works well off ball and creates a lot of space for his teammates.”
The deal for Resetarits paid instant dividends for Rochester, as he scored two goals in his debut on April 3rd in a road victory in Toronto, and then tied his single-game career high with three goals the following night in a home win over Minnesota. In eight regular season games with the Knighthawks, Resetarits collected 17 goals and 14 assists.
“You couldn’t ask for a better group of guys, especially in a coach like Paul Day,” he said. “Paul Day is one of the best coaches who I have ever been around. He lets us go out and do things he knows we can do and gives us confidence every single game.”
With his move to Rochester, the young forward was inserted into a lineup that included two past league MVPs, three former Championship Game MVPs and over a dozen championship rings.
“We have leadership and skill with guys like Cody (Jamieson), Dan (Dawson), Joe (Walters), Craig (Point), Stephen (Keogh), and ‘Vit’ (Cory Vitarelli). The fact that I get to be on a team with those guys is really awesome,” said Resetarits. “One of the really good things about our offense is one guy can go off any game. If one guy has a hot stick, you keep giving him the ball. Then next game someone else is going to do that. That’s the sign of championship team.”
For Resetarits, his breakout game was on May 8th against the Buffalo Bandits. That night, he posted a career-high four goals in a 14-11 win against his former team in the East Division Semifinals. He ended the playoffs with six goals as Rochester advanced to the division finals.
“Joe fit into our system and style right away. He is so talented with and without the ball that he made a seamless transition into the lineup,” said Knighthawks forward Cody Jamieson. “He added another element that made us dangerous down the stretch.”
In his NLL career, Resetarits has amassed 53 goals, 61 assists and 114 points in 48 games. The former University at Albany standout broke into the league after being selected sixth overall by the Calgary Roughnecks. After spending his rookie season in Calgary, he was dealt to Buffalo, where he played 27 games over two seasons before arriving in Rochester.
After signing his new deal with the Knighthawks, the 25-year-old is excited to enter his first full season with the team in 2016. With Training Camp just four months away, Resetarits cannot wait to start “the most exciting time of the year.”
“It’s going to be amazing,” he said. “It will be great to be here the entire year. It’s going to be something special.”
