Rochester Knighthawks General Manager and Vice President of Lacrosse Operations Dan Carey announced today that the team has re-signed defenseman Matthew Bennett to a one-year contract for the 2021-22 National Lacrosse League season, pending league approval.
“Matt was great for us during our inaugural season,” said Carey. “He played in almost every situation and was consistent throughout the season. We are excited to have him signed for next year, and we are looking forward to seeing his continued production.”
Bennett, 27, is coming off his best season in the National Lacrosse League, scoring one goal and setting career-highs in assists (8) and points (9) while appearing in all 12 games during the Knighthawks’ inaugural campaign. He finished the 2019-20 season, his sixth in the NLL, leading all Rochester defensemen in assists and ranking third in points while also tying for fourth on the team with 60 loose ball recoveries.
A native of Brampton, Ontario, Bennett has collected 25 points (5+20) and 256 loose balls in 57 career NLL games with Rochester, Philadelphia and Buffalo.
Originally a second-round selection (14th overall) of the Buffalo Bandits in the 2014 NLL Entry Draft, the 6-foot-2, 198-pound defenseman was acquired by Rochester in the eighth round of the 2019 NLL Expansion Draft.