The 2022-23 season was a memorable one for the Rochester Knighthawks. From the team’s season-opening six-game win streak to securing their first-ever playoff berth and all the individual performances in between, the Knighthawks established themselves as one of the up-and-coming organizations in the National Lacrosse League in only their third season in the expansion-era.
One of the newcomers that joined the squad for his first year with the team was defenseman Ethan Schott.
A goal, a fight and 10 caused turnovers…
Ethan Schott doing it all on defense. pic.twitter.com/BlLgj6c24U
— Rochester Knighthawks (@RocKnighthawks) June 1, 2023
JOINING THE ‘HAWKS
Schott, 26, joined the Knighthawks on a two-year contract on August 31, 2022, after having totaled eight assists and 73 loose ball recoveries in 21 career games between the Buffalo Bandits, San Diego Seals and New York Riptide from 2018-2020.
During his first two seasons in the NLL, the 6-foot-1, 181-pound defenseman posted three assists in nine games with the Bandits and Seals, respectively.
Before turning pro, Schott played for his hometown Whitby Warriors (OLA Jr. A) in 2017, registering six points on one goal and five assists in 15 games while also notching five points (1+4) in six postseason games.
Prior to joining Whitby, he produced 89 points (28+61) in 57 games with the Green Gaels (OLA Jr. B) while also logging 30 points (9+21) in 33 playoff contests from 2014-16. He was named the Most Valuable Defensive Player during his final season.
Originally a second-round selection (20th overall) of the Bandits in the 2017 NLL Entry Draft, Schott was acquired by the Riptide in the 2019 NLL Expansion Draft.
Just a couple of Ethan Schott’s stats from this season📊 pic.twitter.com/JoA41uZnZq
— Rochester Knighthawks (@RocKnighthawks) June 1, 2023
A LOOK BACK AT HIS SEASON IN ROCHESTER
Schott made his Rochester debut against the Georgia Swarm on Dec. 3. During the Knighthawks’ season-opening 16-11 win, Schott had an assist on Matt Gilray’s third-quarter goal, which came during a seven-goal run as well as helped the team grab the lead for good. Schott was a part of the defensive corps that limited the Swarm offense to just a pair of fourth-quarter goals and a shutout in the third.
A few weeks later, Schott notched his first professional goal in Rochester’s 11-8 victory over the New York Riptide on Jan. 15. Less than three minutes into the second half, the defenseman was set up by Brad Gillies in transition before sprinting the length of the floor and converting in-front of the netminder.
First NLL goal for Ethan Schott 🙌 pic.twitter.com/RkkFLl3h4W
— Rochester Knighthawks (@RocKnighthawks) January 15, 2023
Schott finished the season by appearing in 14 games with the Knighthawks, registering one goal, three assists for four points to go with 35 loose ball recoveries.