(Rochester, NY)… The Rochester Knighthawks opened their 2026 training camp this past weekend at home, as 34 players competed for jobs on this year’s roster. The three-day weekend included an intrasquad game and their first preseason contest.
“We want to establish our identity,” said Knighthawks Head Coach Troy Cordingley. “This year presents more of a challenge because we have to get down to 21 (active roster players) and have 34 players. Everyone was very talented and worked hard. We have tough decisions to make, but that’s why we do it.”
The weekend began with physicals and a team dinner Friday night. It was an opportunity for the returning players to reconnect and new additions to meet their teammates.
“It was a great weekend to get to know the new guys and see familiar faces,” said Knighthawks forward Thomas McConvey. “Troy held us to a high standard.”
On Saturday, the work on the floor began with fitness testing, practice, media day, and a scrimmage. In the teal-and-white scrimmage, with 500 fans in the building, the teal team defeated the white squad 6-5. McConvey was the standout, leading his team with three goals in the victory. Connor Fields led the white team with one goal and two assists.
Fans got to see 12 new players, including defensemen Callum Jones, Brent Noseworthy, and Luc Magnan. It also included NLL first overall pick Finn Thomson, who scored a late goal in the scrimmage.
“Whether it was yesterday in the practice or scrimmage, or today in the game, it was awesome just getting down here for the first time, meeting the coaches and players, and then getting up and down a little bit,” said Thomson. “It was a lot of fun getting my feet wet out there and scoring a couple.”
In Sunday morning’s preseason slate against the I-90 rival Buffalo Bandits, it was Thomson who led the Knighthawks with three goals and two assists. With so many new faces in camp, the Knighthawks rested returning stars Ryan Lanchbury, Zed Williams, Smith, Fields, McConvey, Matt Gilray, Callum Jones, Jeremy Thompson, Ryland Rees, and Dan Coates, along with draft picks Saka Thompson and Frank Coyle. Magnan and Noseworthy also did not play.
Rochester dropped a 15-7 decision to more seasoned Bandits at Segar & Sciortino Field at The Blue Cross Arena. Knighthawks veteran Blaze Riorden posted two first-quarter goals to tie the contest at three apiece. Brad McCulley and Amos Whitcomb also scored goals for the Knighthawks, and Graydon Hogg chipped in three assists. In goal, Rylan Hartley started the game and made 16 saves, and Drew Hutchison turned aside 18 shots in the second half.
“The lineup we went with was guys we wanted to take a good look at,” said Cordingley. “Not just today but the whole weekend. Our work ethic has been pretty good. The biggest thing is the attitude and work ethic. It was refreshing and good to see guys have turned the page on last year and are only focused on this year.”
“It’s great to be back,” said Knighthawks forward Ryan Smith. “There are a lot of new faces and a lot of familiar faces. It was a very competitive camp, and I’m excited to see how our team shapes up as we progress toward Nov. 28.”
Rochester plays its second preseason game as the team travels to Oshawa to play the FireWolves on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. at Tribute Communities Centre.
The Knighthawks open their regular-season schedule on Saturday, Nov. 28, when they host the Halifax Thunderbirds at 7 p.m. at Segar & Sciortino Field at The Blue Cross Arena. Single-game tickets are available at The Blue Cross Arena Box Office, online under the tickets tab, or by phone at 585-400-HAWK (4295).