2023-24 NLL Preview: Can the Knighthawks Do it Again?

With the 2023-24 National Lacrosse League season set to begin Dec. 1-2, USA Lacrosse Magazine is going team by team in the days leading up to the opener. Today, we take a deep dive on the Rochester Knighthawks.

ROCHESTER KNIGHTHAWKS

2022-23 Record: 10-8
Head Coach: Mike Hasen, fourth season
 Assistants: Kyle Kallay, Pat O’Toole

Additions: Connor Farrell, T (San Diego); Stephen Keogh, F (Toronto); Dan Lomas, F (New York); Thomas McConvey, F (draft); Ethan O’Connor, D (Buffalo); Kyle Waters, F (Calgary)
Departures: Holden Cattoni, F (Philadelphia); Paul Dawson, D (Rochester); Thomas Hoggarth, F (Calgary); Thomas Vela, F (Calgary)

STORYLINES TO WATCH

Will the Knighthawks’ leap be sustainable?

The Knighthawks were one of the feel-good stories of 2023. After going 4-14 the year prior, Rochester needed just four games to match their previous win total as part of a 6-0 stretch to start the season. The K-Hawks extended that successful run to 8-2, leaping their way into playoff contention.

The momentum slowed down the stretch. Rochester sputtered to a 10-6 record by season’s end, then was dismantled in the first round of the postseason in a 20-8 defeat to the rival Buffalo Bandits.

So, which chunk of the season is more representative of the Knighthawks’ talent? Based on the sportsbooks, most expect some negative regression from the team. Yet, on the Lax Class podcast, general manager Dan Carey expressed confidence.

The K-Hawks feel they were better than their 4-14 2022 record indicated, making 2023 look like less of an anomaly.

Ambiguity extends to the roster construction. Two of the team’s top five scorers are gone in Holden Cattoni (84 points) and Thomas Hoggarth (54 points). In their place is former first overall pick Thomas McConvey, an older Ryan Smith, veteran Stephen Keogh and third-year player Kyle Waters.

That’s a good mix for the future, but can it help the K-Hawks win right now?

Can Connor Fields repeat his breakout season?

The Knighthawks and Carey were major beneficiaries of the Desert Dogs’ expansion draft, completing a swap with Las Vegas that brought Connor Fields to Rochester. Fields saw his production increase in each of his first three seasons with San Diego and Buffalo but had yet another gear when handed more responsibility with the K-Hawks.

Fields saw a 45-point uptick from his previous career high, becoming just the third American to record 100 points in a season with a 112-point showing. His 52 goals trailed only Jeff Teat, and his point total slot him into fifth in the league.

Fields suffered a scary looking injury in the Premier Lacrosse League semifinals with the Archers, a right AC separation that kept him out of the league’s championship bout. Thankfully for Rochester, he’ll be good to go for the box season. He likely has his best running mate yet in McConvey, setting the stage for a potential long-lasting one-two punch in Blue Cross Arena.

In many ways, questions around Fields mirror questions around the Knighthawks. We’ve seen them both be great once, but can they do it again?