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 Jordan Stouros.
Here’s a look back at the defenseman’s top moments from this past season.
MOVIN’ ON DOWN THE ROAD
After being acquired from the Buffalo Bandits on Nov. 29 for a fifth-round selection in the 2024 NLL Draft, Stouros appeared in a career-high 12 games with the Knighthawks. The Ottawa, Ontario, native scored one goal to go with three assists while adding 37 loose ball recoveries in 2022-23.
Before coming to Rochester, Stouros, 27, played in 10 games with the Bandits as a rookie in 2021-22, recording 24 loose ball recoveries and seven penalty minutes while helping Buffalo to a league-best 14-4 record as regular season champions and an appearance in the NLL Finals.
Prior to turning pro, Stouros played 64 games and recorded 11 points (6+5) during a four-year collegiate career for the Limestone University Saints. He led the team to the 2017 NCAA Division II National Championship and another appearance in the finals in 2019.
He was named the USILA-Warrior Division II Long Pole Midfielder of the Year and was named a USILA All-American after his junior season in 2019 and 2020.
A solid defenseman who also recorded his first pro goal this season!
What a season with Jordan Stouros. pic.twitter.com/gggugQpH3b
— Rochester Knighthawks (@RocKnighthawks) May 31, 2023
SEASON IN ROCHESTER
After joining the Knighthawks a week before the season-opener, the 5-foot-11, 200-pound defenseman pulled on the Hawks crest for the first time against the Georgia Swarm on Dec. 3. During Rochester’s 16-11 win, Stouros had one blocked shot and helped limit the Swarm offense to just a pair of fourth-quarter goals and a shutout in the third quarter.
A week later, on his only shot of the contest, Stouros notched his first goal as a Knighthawk in the 11-7 victory over the Toronto Rock. The second-quarter goal was unassisted but gave the club a 9-4 lead. During the second half of the game with Toronto, Stouros and the defense held the opposition to just two second-half goals while also shutting out the club in the final 15 minutes of regulation.
First season as a Khawk for Jordan Stouros! pic.twitter.com/1ubRq2ZWE1
— Rochester Knighthawks (@RocKnighthawks) May 31, 2023
The second-year defenseman missed nearly all of March and April after suffering a lower-body, but he made it back in time for the Knighthawks’ inaugural playoff game against Buffalo. Despite the loss to his former club, Stouros notched a pair of loose ball recoveries and caused two turnovers.