By Travis Larner, Knighthawks.com --
(October 23, 2012)… The World Champion Rochester Knighthawks will hold Open Tryouts this weekend to kick off the 2013 National Lacrosse League preseason. Open Tryouts will be held on Friday, October 26th from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 27th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Hagersville, Ontario.

The two days give undrafted rookies and free agents a chance to show off their talent and receive an invitation to the Knighthawks Training Camp in November. Rochester Head Coach Mike Hasen and the rest of the Knighthawks coaching staff will be running the players through a series of workouts to see if they have what it takes to play professional lacrosse.

“We’re going to do a little bit of fitness testing, we are going to do a little bit of teaching as far as principles and stuff like that, and we’re going to try and get a little scrimmage going and basically run them through some drills,” said Hasen.

When asking for what he likes to see out of a player during the tryouts, Hasen stated, “We’re looking for guys that are guys going to come in and put their hardhats on and get to work and do whatever they can to make this team.”

There are currently over 20 players signed up to attend the Open Tryouts, including four of the Knighthawks’ draft picks. It will be the first time Hasen has a chance to evaluate the rookies as they execute his drills.

“We’ve heard a lot about them. We just want them to bring their game and the attributes that made them successful thus far and just come ready to work and give it everything they got,” said Hasen.

Cody McLeod is one of the rookies who will be attending the tryouts. McLeod was selection with the 59th overall pick in the sixth round. The defenseman won the Minto Cup this summer with his hometown Orangeville Northmen.

“I’m all about hard work and work ethic and always being the hardest guy working on the floor at all times. I think that’s what they’re really excited about and that’s what got me here today,” said McLeod. “It’s not just another team. You got a chance to play for the best in the world. That’s truly exciting for me.”

While the players must work hard to earn a spot at Training Camp, it is not an impossible feat. One of the Knighthawks best young defenseman, Tyler Burton, made the roster after an excellent tryout prior to the 2011 season. The Mercyhurst University graduate went undrafted but was able to make an impression on Hasen.

“I am not exactly sure how he slipped by just about everybody in this league to tell you the truth. Tyler came in and he was playing offense, he was playing defense, he took a few faceoffs in scrimmages we had,” said Hasen. “It was hard not to notice the good things he was doing out there.”

Following Open Tryouts, the Knighthawks will usher in Training Camp with a Dinner and Ring Ceremony on Friday, November 22nd at the Radisson Riverside Hotel. The Knighthawks will then hit the floor on Saturday, November 23rd and Sunday, November 24th at Total Sports Experience in Gates.

Admission to the Dinner and Ring Ceremony is just $25 with the net proceeds going to the Knighthawks Charitable Foundation, Inc. A limited amount of tickets can be purchased at the Knighthawks office by calling (585) 454-4295 or online at www.knighthawks.com until Friday, November 9th.