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 returners to the squad for his third year with the Knighthawks and sixth overall in the National Lacrosse League was forward Holden Cattoni.
LOOKING BACK ON THE 2022-23 SEASON
Cattoni was consistent in finding the scoresheet on a weekly occurrence over his sixth year in the league. In 18 games, he finished second among all Knighthawks in goals (40), assists (44) and points (84). His goals and points were career-highs. He was third amongst all Rochester players with 15 points and second in assists (10) while on the power-play.
What a season for Holden Cattoni 👏 pic.twitter.com/h6L94yvZaS
— Rochester Knighthawks (@RocKnighthawks) June 15, 2023
Cattoni posted a multi-point game in all 18 games while also scoring at least one goal in all but one contest. The Calgary, Alberta, native notched his fourth hat trick in seven games while also adding 10 loose ball recoveries, including the 300th of his pro career, at Halifax on Jan. 27. He recorded his 200th career assist as part of a four-point effort (2+2) against the New York Riptide on Jan. 5.
Fun fact: Holden Cattoni did not go a single game without recording at least two points this season 👀 pic.twitter.com/8A8bntslLi
— Rochester Knighthawks (@RocKnighthawks) June 15, 2023
Cattoni registered a multi-point outing with four goals and one assist during Rochester’s first-ever playoff game against the eventual NLL champion Buffalo Bandits on May 6 at KeyBank Center. His 10 shots against Buffalo were second-most amongst all Knighthawks.
In 98 career NLL games, between Rochester, Calgary, and Georgia, Cattoni has totaled 161 goals and 229 assists for 390 points since the start of the 2017 campaign. Of his 390 points, 86 points (26+60) have come on the power play.
CONTINUING TO PRODUCE
Prior to the start of the 2022-23 season, Cattoni signed a one-year contract with Rochester on Nov. 8, 2022. It was his second contract with club after being selected by the team during the second round of the 2019 NLL Expansion Draft.
During the 2021-22 slate, Cattoni led all Knighthawks with 63 points as he registered 27 goals and 36 assists in 17 games. He notched the 300th point of his pro career with his first of two assists at New York on April 16, 2022 and produced his second four-goal game of the season with a goal in each quarter in the 15-13 win over Albany on Feb. 12, 2022. He notched a team-high nine points (4+5), including his third straight hat trick, in the 16-7 win at Albany on Dec. 18, 2021, and reached the 100-goal mark in his pro career with a three-goal outing against Buffalo a week earlier.
Throwback to the game where Holden Cattoni had nine (YES NINE) points 🤯 pic.twitter.com/uHBTMhuQSv
— Rochester Knighthawks (@RocKnighthawks) June 15, 2023
In 2019-20, Cattoni led the Rochester offense in goals (24), assists (38) and points (62) while ranking sixth in the league in overall scoring. He was named Knighthawks Offensive Player of the Year at the conclusion of slate. He 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. He averaged nearly five points per game through the truncated 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.