NLL Outlook 2022/2023 – Rochester Knighthawks

Gary Groob

All Lacrosse All The Time – A Division of Edge of Philly Sports Network

2021-2022 Record: 4 – 14, eighth place in the East Division.   Did not make the playoffs.

New Faces:

F Connor Fields, F Jake McNabb, F Brad Voigt, F Mike Burke, F Austin Hasen, F Corson Kealy, F Parker Pipher, F Thomas Vela, F Riley Curtis, F Pent Eistrat, D Brad Gillies, D Vaughn Harris, D Curtis Romanchych, D Alex Woodall, D Ethan Schott, D Jake Pulver, G Riley Hutchcraft, G Lucas Nagy

Key Losses:

G Joel Watson, F Charlie Bertrand, F Shawn Evans, D John Wagner

Last season the Knighthawks started to make strides in the right direction becoming a more competitive team.  Things were taking shape until Evan Kirk had to leave the team due to work commitments, leaving the inexperienced Rylan Hartley and Joel Watson to carry the load in net for Rochester throughout the year.  Hartley did a good job until he got hurt, which again left the Knighthawks scrambling for solid, consistent goaltending. 

Offense:

The loss of all-time Mann Cup points leader Shawn Evans, and Charlie Bertrand are big losses, but the addition of Connor Fields, as well as the drafting of Austin Hasen should make an immediate impact on an already strong scoring group.

Holden Cattoni can score from anywhere with his booming shot.  Thomas Hoggarth, Curtis Knight, Ryan Smith, and a healthy Turner Evans should be able to match-up with any team in the league. 

Defense:

The defense is anchored by Captain Paul Dawson.  This year’s group has a little more grit and scoring prowess with the additions of Brad Gillies, and Vaughn Harris.  Tyler Biles almost set the rookie penalty record last year, and will make sure to keep teams honest in his own end this year once again.

Transition has plenty of upside with Thomas Whitty, Ryland Rees, and Chris Willman.  Add a healthy Matt Gilray, as well as Cory Highfield and this group will keep teams off balance game in and game out.

Goaltending:

With the status of Evan Kirk still up in the air, the Knighthawks needed to do something to sure up the back end.  With the trade for Riley Hutchcraft, Rochester now has a bonifide starting goalie.  Add to the mix a healthy Rylan Hartley and this team has gotten immeasurably stronger in net.

If the Knighthawks can stay healthy, they may surprise a lot of teams finishing in the middle of a very competitive East Division in 2022-2023.

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Gary Groob
Gary Groob

Gary Groob has been involved with Lacrosse for the majority of his life, whether playing, coaching, or covering the sport for the media.

An avid fan, with a real drive about helping to “grow the game”, Gary became part of podcasts about the game in 2010. Through the podcasts, Mr. Groob was given an opportunity to write about lacrosse, and the rest as they say, is history.

Through many miles (flying and driving) Gary has made inroads with the National Lacrosse League, Major Series Lacrosse League, the Ontario Lacrosse Association, as well as the Arena Lacrosse League, covering the leagues, their teams, and players, working for, and in concert with all of them.

In the year 2020, Mr. Groob was made the media person for the Arena Lacrosse League, voted onto the board of directors of the Brampton Excelsiors Lacrosse Club, as well as being made administrator of the Lacrosse page “Global Lacrosse” with a membership of 9000 members in over 90 Countries. Gary was also made an administrator of Lacrosse History Past Present and Future in 2022.

Mr. Groob co-hosts a weekly Lacrosse show on Spanglish Sports World, and ZingoTV channel 250, as well as writes a weekly lacrosse column for La Portada Canada News (both in print, and online).

Gary also hosts a Lacrosse talk show and podcast for The Edge of Philly Sports Network, seen live Sunday nights at 9pm (ET), and archived on the Edge of Philly YouTube page, as well as Spotify.

Mr. Groob’s other sports interests include Hockey, Football, Boxing, Wrestling, and Baseball, competing competitively in Boxing and Wrestling for many years.

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