The 2022-23 season was a memorable one for the Rochester Knighthawks. From the team’s season-opening six-game win streak to securing their first-ever playoff berth and all the individual performances in between, the Knighthawks established themselves as one of the up-and-coming organizations in the National Lacrosse League in only their third season in the expansion-era.
One of the newcomers that joined the squad for his first year with the team was goaltender Riley Hutchcraft.
JOINING THE KNIGHTHAWKS
Hutchcraft joined the Knighthawks on a one-year contract on Aug. 2, 2022, after being acquired by Rochester along with forward Connor Fields from the Las Vegas Desert Dogs during the 2022 NLL Expansion Draft.
KNIGHTHAWKS ACQUIRE FIRST OVERALL PICK IN 2022 NLL ENTRY DRAFT FROM LAS VEGAS
During the 2021-22 campaign with the Rock, the Toronto native posted an 0-1 record with 19 saves along with a 7.89 goals-against average and a .826 save percentage.
In four seasons with Toronto, Hutchcraft finished with a 6.43 goals-against average and a .698 save percentage. He made his NLL debut on Jan. 6, 2018, playing the final 15 minutes, allowing two goals, in the Rock’s 24-7 win at Vancouver.
Coming in clutch when we needed him…
A great first season with Hutchy! pic.twitter.com/II6uYZbxVr
— Rochester Knighthawks (@RocKnighthawks) June 5, 2023
Hutchcraft was originally selected by Toronto in the third round (30th overall) of the 2017 NLL Entry Draft.
LOOKING BACK ON THE 2022-23 SEASON
After joining the Knighthawks ahead of the 2022-23 campaign, Hutchcraft made 25 saves in 49 minutes while dressing for all 18 games with the team.
The netminder made his season debut on Jan. 27 versus the Halifax Thunderbirds, stopping four shots in 11 minutes. Prior to the regular season finale against the Philadelphia Wings when he turned aside 17 of the 22 shots he faced, Hutchcraft was named Rochester’s co-Teammate of the Year with Tyler Halls.
Hutchcraft made six saves in Rochester’s first-ever playoff game against the event NLL champion Buffalo Bandits on May 6 at KeyBank Center.