Rochester Knighthawks General Manager and Vice President of Lacrosse Operations Dan Carey announced today that the team has acquired the first overall pick in the upcoming 2022 National Lacrosse League (NLL) Entry Draft along with forward Connor Fields and goaltender Riley Hutchcraft from the Las Vegas Desert Dogs. In return, the Knighthawks sent forward Charlie Bertrand, Rochester’s first (second overall), fourth (74th overall, compensatory) and sixth-round (91st overall) selections in this year’s NLL Entry Draft and the Knighthawks’ first-round selection in the 2023 NLL Entry Draft to Las Vegas.
With the acquisition, it marks the third time in four years that the Knighthawks will have a top three selection in an Entry Draft and the first time Rochester owns the first overall pick.
“Acquiring the first overall pick in this year’s draft is obviously an important piece in building for this season and for the future of our organization,” said Carey. “I thank Charlie for all that he did for the Knighthawks this past season and wish him the best as he begins the next phase of his career in Las Vegas.”
Fields completed his third NLL season in 2021-22 with 67 points (32+35) in 18 games for the Buffalo Bandits, good for third on the team in scoring. A native of Amherst, NY, Fields, a four-time All-American at the University at Albany, also added 16 points (7+9) in six playoff contests while leading the Bandits to their second NLL Finals appearance in three years.
Hutchcraft posted an 0-1 record with 19 saves along with a 7.89 goals-against average and a .826 save percentage this past season with the Toronto Rock. In four seasons with the Rock, he recorded a 6.43 goals-against average and a .698 save percentage. He made his NLL debut on Jan. 6, 2018, playing the final 15 minutes, allowing two goals, in the Rock’s 24-7 win at Vancouver. Hutchcraft was selected by Toronto in the third round (30th overall) of the 2017 NLL Entry Draft.
Bertrand finished seventh in scoring among all rookies with 41 points (13+28) in 17 games for the Knighthawks in 2021-22. He also tied for the league lead among all first-year players with two shorthanded goals and placed 15th with 66 loose ball recoveries.