On Tuesday, the Rochester Knighthawks announced the return of forward Holden Cattoni, who agreed to terms on a one-year contract for the 2022-23 National Lacrosse League campaign.
“I’m really excited,” said Cattoni when asked how excited he was to be back in Rochester for a third season. “It’s tough missing the first couple of weeks of camp, but I’m looking forward to getting back with the guys and building some camaraderie with the new guys that are in the lineup.”
Cattoni will join the Knighthawks this weekend amid their third week of the preseason. In the weeks to come, practices will be far and few between with two more exhibition games on the docket for Rochester.
Cattoni will get to suit up with his teammates this Saturday, Nov. 12, as the Knighthawks take on the Calgary Roughnecks before they wrap up their preseason action against Panther City in one final tune-up on Saturday, Nov. 26. Both face-offs are set for 7:00 p.m. at Brampton Memorial Arena.
“Just getting back in the rhythm of like playing and practicing every week,” said Cattoni when asked what the most difficult part about rejoining the Knighthawks in the middle of preseason. “I think I’ve had about a month off now between the summer and camp, so getting back into game shape and getting up to game speed is going to be really key for me.”
The forward returns to Rochester for his third season having recorded 51 goals and 74 assists for 125 points in 29 career games over his first two campaigns with the Knighthawks. Cattoni led all Knighthawks in scoring for the second straight year with 63 points in 2021-22 and finished second on the team in 27 goals and 63 assists while appearing in 17 contests with the club.
Named Rochester’s Offensive Player of the Year for the team’s inaugural campaign, Cattoni established himself as one of the NLL’s elite point-getters during the 2019-20 season, finishing sixth in the league in scoring while pacing the Knighthawks in 24 goals, 38 assists and 62 points. Cattoni also ranked ninth among NLL leaders in goals and assists and tied for fifth with a team-high 12 power-play assists, eight of which came over his last seven games of the season.
A native of Calgary, Alberta, Cattoni averaged nearly five points per game through the shortened 12-game season and was one of only two Knighthawks to record at least one point in every contest he appeared in. He reached the 50-point mark for the third straight year and was on pace to shatter his career-high 80-point campaign which he set during the 2018-19 season as a member of the Georgia Swarm.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back with everybody,” said Cattoni when asked what he’s looking forward to the most when meeting the Knighthawks in Brampton this weekend. “It’s tough, like getting out of a rhythm when we play so much. So, getting back out there and just being around the guys is going to be a lot of fun.”
Getting back into a rhythm shouldn’t be an issue for the third-year Knighthawk as he’s already got his sights set on making the playoffs and continuing to lead the offensive charge here in Rochester.
“I think making the playoffs, number one for our team,” explained Cattoni when asked what his goals were for the upcoming season now that he’s re-signed with Rochester. “Then, individually, I think want to lead the offense in more than goals and points. I want to be a leader more fundamentally for our team and for our offense in particular.”
The Knighthawks will officially embark on their third NLL season on Saturday, Dec. 3 on the road against the Georgia Swarm as part of the league’s Face-Off Weekend before returning home to host the Toronto Rock on Opening Knight on Saturday, Dec. 10 at Segar & Sciortino Field.
