(Rochester, NY)… Rochester Knighthawks President and General Manager Dan Carey announced today that the team has acquired goalie Drew Hutchison and defenseman Shonwahnonkon Thompson from the Halifax Thunderbirds in exchange for defenseman Tyler Biles and goalie Riley Hutchcraft.
“We’re excited to welcome Drew and Nonkon to our team,” said Carey. “Drew has had an outstanding summer in goal, and Nonkon brings an edge and competitive mentality that will push him to earn a spot in our lineup. We’re looking forward to seeing what both players can bring to the team.”
The 28-year-old arrives in Rochester after an incredible summer with the Peterborough Lakers, who are currently in the Major Series Lacrosse Finals. During the regular season, Hutchison was one of the league’s top netminders, going 9-4 with a 7.04 goals-against average and an .833 save percentage. He has been equally as good in the postseason, posting a 3-1 mark to go along with a 8.17 goals-against average and an .839 save percentage.
Hutchison enters his fifth season in the NLL in 2026-27, after being selected by the Thunderbirds in the second round (18th overall) in the 2021 NLL Entry Draft. In his career, he has posted a 7-9 record and a 12.10 goals-against average and a .748 save percentage. He was also a member of Team USA Men’s team at the 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championship and earned a silver medal.
He returns to the city where he starred collegiately, playing for the RIT Tigers. He was an honorable mention All-American in 2022 and finished 10th in program history in wins (23), while ending up eighth in career goals-against average (8.34).
Thompson has been a member of the Halifax Thunderbirds since their inaugural season in 2019-20. He has played in 46 regular season games, collecting 152 loose-ball recoveries, and eight goals and 14 assists for 22 points, while racking up 129 penalty minutes.
This summer, the 26-year-old Thompson appeared in 15 regular-season games and posted nine points (3+6) with the first-place Six Nations Chiefs of Major Series Lacrosse. Over the past four seasons with the Chiefs, he has played in 50 games and notched 18 points (9+9), while winning the Mann Cup the past three seasons (2023-25).
Before being drafted 38th overall in the 2019 NLL Entry Draft, Thompson spent four seasons playing for the hometown Akwesasne Indians. During the 2019 season, he served as captain of Akwesasne, appearing in 20 games and posting a career-high 19 assists and 26 points. He helped the team reach the Ontario Finals. In 2021, he played for the Six Nations Arrows in the modified summer season. Internationally, he was part of the Haudenosaunee Nationals team that won bronze at the 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championships.
With the trade with the Thunderbirds, the Knighthawks part with a pair of longtime players.
“We would like to thank Tyler and Riley for their time as Knighthawks,” said Carey. “It’s never easy to say goodbye to two great teammates, but we wish them nothing but the best moving forward.”
Biles completed his sixth season in the league in 2025-26 after being selected in Rochester’s first NLL Entry Draft in 2019. This past season, he played in 11 games and recorded five caused turnovers and 31 penalty minutes. He holds the Knighthawks franchise record for penalty minutes (181) and single-game penalty minutes (27), which he set last season against Calgary.
Hutchcraft was named the team’s co-Teammate of the Year this past season, which was his third team award in four seasons with the Knighthawks. In addition to being named Teammate of the Year in 2024-25, he was the team’s Unsung Hero during the 2023-24 season. Since joining Rochester in 2022, he ranks second in franchise goaltender wins, saves (1,208), and minutes played (1,845).

