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 sixth year in the league and second with the team was defenseman Matt Gilray.
RETURNING TO ROCHESTER
Prior to the start of the 2022-23 campaign, Gilray signed a three-year contract extension with Rochester on August 29, 2022 that runs through the 2024-25 slate.
Gilray, 27, returned to the Knighthawks after recording a career-high six goals in 12 games during the 2021-22 season. He totaled six of his nine points (3+3) over a four-game stretch during the final five games of the slate while also recovering 69 loose balls in his first year with the team.
The former first-round selection of the Buffalo Bandits in 2018 played his collegiate lacrosse at Bucknell University, where he was a two-time team captain and an All-Patriot League Second Team selection in each of his last three years. In 53 games with the Bison, he totaled 10 points (5+5) and 149 ground balls, including eight points (4+4) during his sophomore season.
Before joining Bucknell, the Oshawa, Ontario, native was a four-year letter-winner in both lacrosse and hockey while attending Brewster Academy in New Hampshire. As a member of the lacrosse team, Gilray was part of three NELL championship teams and was named a 2014 All-America selection after setting a single-season school record for points by a defenseman with 26 (10+16). He was also named among Inside Lacrosse’s top 100 recruits following his senior season, during which he served as team captain.
Gilray’s pro lacrosse experience also includes two seasons with the Boston Cannons of Major League Lacrosse and an international appearance with Team Canada at the 2018 FIL World Lacrosse Championship.
Led the team in loose ball recoveries and was tied for first on the team for caused turnovers…
Matt Gilray has himself a season 👏 pic.twitter.com/lS3cznvAeW
— Rochester Knighthawks (@RocKnighthawks) June 7, 2023
SEASON IN ROCHESTER
In his second season with the club and fifth in the NLL, Gilray topped all Knighthawks with a franchise record 154 loose ball recoveries while being one of seven players to appear in all 18 games in 2022-23. He tied for first on the team with 26 caused turnovers.
He led all Knighthawks defensemen/transition players in points (27) and finished sixth and eighth on the team in goals (10) and assists (17), respectively. He posted career-highs in all offensive categories while his loose ball recoveries were nearly doubled from his previous best in 2020.
During Rochester’s thrilling 11-10 overtime win over the New York Riptide on Feb. 25, Gilray’s six loose balls gave him 300 for his professional career.
Not only did he lead the team in loose ball recoveries and caused turnovers, but he also led defenseman on the team in points…
What a season for Matt Gilray! pic.twitter.com/8rJjpSY1oU
— Rochester Knighthawks (@RocKnighthawks) June 7, 2023
In 11 of the 18 contests in which Gilray appeared in, he recorded at least one point. He also produced nine multi-point performances and scored a goal in eight games. He had at least one point in four of the first five games of the campaign.
Gilray tallied an assist during the Knighthawks first-ever playoff game against the NLL champion Buffalo Bandits on May 6 at KeyBank Center. The defenseman gathered seven loose balls, which were tied for most amongst all Rochester players.
In 80 career NLL games with Rochester and Buffalo, Gilray has totaled 53 points on 24 goals and 29 assists while also recovering 366 loose balls.