Rochester Knighthawks General Manager and Vice President of Lacrosse Operations Dan Carey announced today that the team has signed transition player Ethan O’Connor to a two-year contract, pending league approval.
O’Connor, 32, spent the previous three seasons with the Buffalo Bandits, recording 22 points (7+15) and 147 loose-ball recoveries in 50 career regular-season contests. He also added four assists in 15 playoff contests while twice leading the Bandits to an appearance in the NLL Finals and winning his second NLL championship in 2023.
The Milton, Ontario, native enters his ninth NLL season having totaled 65 points (21+44) and 605 loose-ball recoveries in 135 career games for Buffalo, Georgia/Minnesota Swarm and Toronto as well as eight assists in 22 career postseason contests.
O’Connor, a first-round selection (ninth overall) of the Toronto Rock in the 2013 NLL Entry Draft, was a member of the Swarm’s 2017 championship squad.
He played his Junior ‘A’ ball with the Burlington Chiefs, where he was a two-time team captain and earned First Team All-League honors in his final season.
Prior to turning pro, O’Connor played four seasons of collegiate lacrosse at Hobart College, scoring one goal and adding five assists for six points in 50 games for the Statesmen. A three-time ECAC All-Academic Team selection, he was the recipient of the Van Arsdale Award following his senior season in recognition of his superior leadership and determination.