Christopher Crane, Correspondent Rochester Knighthawks
Lacrosse is Awesome©
This past week, the Rochester Knighthawks along with the rest of the teams in the NLL, participated in the 2019 Entry Draft. Rochester selected 10 hopeful candidates to rebuild their new team. They had the second overall pick in the first round behind Halifax and would select Stony Brook University alum and a native of Port Coquitlam, British Columbia Ryland Rees.
Rees was taken with Rochester’s only first round pick. Ryland has spent the past four seasons at Stony Brook University where he tallied 15 goals and seven assists for 22 points in addition to scooping 164 ground balls in 51 career games for the Seawolves. He was a two-time team captain; and named the 2019 America East Defensive Player of the Year after recording four points and causing 10 turnovers during his senior year. He also led Stony Brook in ground balls and turnovers in each of his four seasons; was a three-time America East All-Conference First Team selection; and named to the America East All-Rookie Team as a freshman in 2016.
During the summer Rees a transition player appeared in nine games with the Burnaby Lakers of the MSL recording six points as well as four points (in 11 playoff games). He made his professional field lacrosse debut with the Boston Cannons of Major League Lacrosse this year and was named to the 2019 MLL All-Star team.
Internationally, Rees twice has represented Team Canada, most recently winning a silver medal at the 2018 World Field Lacrosse Championships; and also won silver with Team Canada at the 2016 U19 World Field Lacrosse Championships.
Ryland is a huge pick up for Rochester as they look to build a strong transition game since former Knighthawks and transition specialist Brad Gillies is now with Halifax.
Christopher Crane, Correspondent Rochester Knighthawks
Lacrosse is Awesome©