The Rochester Knighthawks third season in the National Lacrosse League is almost here. Rochester begins the 2022-23 campaign on the road against the Georgia Swarm on Dec. 3 before returning to Segar & Sciortino Field at The Blue Cross Arena on Dec. 10 to take on the Toronto Rock in the Home Opener.
However, before we can get to any of the season shenanigans, we must get through training camp first, which just so happens to kick-off this weekend in the Flower City and here’s a rundown of what the Knighthawks have in store.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28
Practice – 8:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Yes, we know practice is scheduled a little late for the team’s first get-together of the year. However, this is how it always is when it comes to practice times and locations with players traveling from all over and not being in one central area due to the scheduling of the league.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29
Fitness Testing/Practice – 9:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Media Day – 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Media Day is for headshots and fun video content. Each player will be run through a number of stations so that the content team can collect as many photos and videos as possible with everyone being available at the same time.
Learn to Play Clinic – 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
This clinic is for kids 12 and under to participate in and it’s held right at Segar & Sciortino Field. The youngsters will learn to play the game of lacrosse from select players on the Knighthawks squad.
Hawk Talk – 5:00 p.m. to 5:20 p.m.
Season Ticket Members get exclusive access to our Hawk Talk session with select players and coaches from the Knighthawks staff. This event, though short, gives fans the opportunity to ask questions about the season and to get pumped for Rochester’s 2022-23 campaign while having the added opportunity to stick around to watch practice and the night’s Black & White intersquad scrimmage. The Knighthawks sales team will be on site to assist during the duration of this event with check-in, helping with guests within the arena, and being able to answer any questions that pertain to the upcoming season.
Warmup – 5:30 p.m.
Black/White Scrimmage 6:30 p.m.
This is the first “game” action the Knighthawks are going to see since last season. Yes, it’s against one another, however, it’s a great starting point for the team to see who gels well together and to give the coaching staff a better idea as to who will and who won’t make the upcoming active roster.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30
Practice – 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
This is the final practice before cuts are made from the first weekend of camp later in the week.
Additionally, here’s a FIRST LOOK at who could be making up the Knighthawks roster heading into the 2022-23 campaign:
FORWARDS
Turner Evans
Thomas Vela
Curtis Knight
Connor Fields
Riley Curtis
Corson Kealey
Mike Burke
Austin Hasen
Trent Boyd
Vaughn Harris
Kevin McNally
Ryan Smith
Jeff Wittig
Jake McNabb
Thomas Hoggarth
Pent Eistrat
DEFENSEMEN
Paul Dawson
Ethan Schott
Mitch Ogilvie
Matt Bennett
Curtis Romanchych
Tyler Halls
Tyler Biles
Dan Coates
Carter Schott
TRANSITION PLAYERS
Thomas Whitty
Brad Gillies
Ryland Rees
Daire Newbrough
Parker Pipher
Logan Swanton
Alex Woodall
Ryan McCrory
Chris Willman
Matt Gilray
Cory Highfield
GOALTENDERS
Lucas Nagy
Riley Hutchcraft
Rylan Hartley
Lukas Coote
Following the final practice this Sunday, training camp continues throughout the month of November for the Knighthawks with three exhibition games.
On Sunday, Nov. 6, Rochester takes on the Bandits at 10 a.m. at KeyBank Center in Buffalo in its first preseason matchup before heading to Brampton for the final two exhibition games ahead of the 2022-03 campaign. On Saturday, Nov. 12, the Knighthawks take on the Calgary Roughnecks before wrapping up preseason action against Panther City on Saturday, Nov. 26. Both face-offs are set for 6:00 p.m. at Brampton Memorial Arena.
Just a reminder the roster provided here will not be the Opening Knight roster for the Knighthawks, however, these are the players currently under contract with the team. Cuts will continue to be made throughout the duration of training camp until Dec. 3 when Rochester takes on Georgia in the first game of the 2022-23 season.
