After transition player Ryland Rees was selected in the first round (second overall) of the 2019 NLL Entry Draft by the Rochester Knighthawks, it’s no surprise he’s taken his first two years by storm. While Rees’s first season in the league came to a screeching halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, his second year in the National Lacrosse League proved to be one of growth and maturity.
As Rees was dubbed the Knighthawks Defensive Player of the Year for the 2021-22 campaign, there’s much more that went into this season of growth. Let’s take a look back at Rees’s top three moments from this past season.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
At the season’s end, Rees was named the Knighthawks Defensive Player of the Year for his efforts on the floor, earning the honors for the second straight year.
It was evident how much Rees matured from season one in the league to year two. Rees went on to appear in all 18 face-offs for Rochester during the 2021-22 campaign, one of just six Knighthawks players to do so. In his 18 efforts, Rees tallied 11 goals and four assists to total 15 points on the year. While the second-year pro established career-highs in all offensive categories, he also racked up a team-leading 118 loose ball recoveries to boot.
Rees attributes a lot of his success from this season to becoming a better communicator.
“I think just communication has always been one thing,” commented Rees when asked about the number one thing he honed in on defensively this season. “You’re always loud at the start of the game and as you get more tired, you know, you get quieter and it’s kind of really shown me the importance of just communicating the whole game.”
Rees then went on to finish with, “So, that’s kind of one thing I really tried to focus on, which is being a little bit louder, being a little bit more of a vocal leader and just trying to help out the team.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfSb2RJ26PQ
CALL HIM (ALTERNATE) CAPTAIN
Although Rees came into the 2021-22 campaign on another level, he was still one of the younger players on the team. However, after Knighthawks alternate captain Shawn Evans was traded to the Halifax Thunderbirds midseason that meant someone else had to step up and fill his shoes.
Both Rees and fellow defenseman Dan Coates filled those shoes.
“I think it comes down to a lot of the leadership and the guys that have been around that helped me kind of make my way through the NLL. Guys like Pauly (Dawson) my first year and (Dan) Coates the second year,” stated Rees when asked what he’s done to prove he has earned this title as a younger player in the league.
Ryland was named an assistant captain part-way through the season and was a fantastic team leader on and off the field. pic.twitter.com/wxKvymdufS
— Rochester Knighthawks (@RocKnighthawks) June 24, 2022
At the end of the day, Rees is grateful for the opportunity he has to help lead the Knighthawks team.
“I’m just very grateful for that, for the opportunity and, you know, it’s just a lot of hard work and just kind of learning as you go.”
LEARNING FROM THE VETS
In 2019-20, Rees took the opportunity to learn from Knighthawks captain Paul Dawson. While heading into this season, Rees had yet another veteran defensive player to look up to on the squad in Dan Coates.
Rees has really taken it upon himself to engage with these high-end defensive players and pick their brains over the last two years in the League. Especially after this season, when Rees and Coates roomed together here in the Flower City.
A fantastic second year for Ryland Rees! pic.twitter.com/YLIcuUHm2m
— Rochester Knighthawks (@RocKnighthawks) June 24, 2022
“He’s got a lot of experience in the league and he’s I mean, for the past 10 years or however long he’s been in the league, he’s been one of the top defenders. So, I kind of just talked with him about the game and just trying to figure out ways that I can do things better and my game has been awesome,” stated Rees when asked how Coates helped elevate his game this past season.
Additionally, Rees and Coates spent ample time breaking down film and training together outside of practice which was extremely beneficial for Rees in the long run.
Ryland Rees said “I’ll take them” and never looked back. pic.twitter.com/h6d4hiHHl2
— Rochester Knighthawks (@RocKnighthawks) June 24, 2022
“Him (Coates) breaking down film with me and then just talking through the game has been really what kind of helped me elevate my game a little bit on and off the field.”
