KNIGHTHAWKS SIGN GOALIE CHASE MARTIN

ROCHESTER NY — The Rochester Knighthawks announced today that they have signed Chase Martin to a one-year deal. The goaltending prospect brings a winning pedigree to the Knighthawks after backstopping his teams to a trio of championships.

To prepare for the biggest opportunity of his lacrosse career, Martin admitted he has gone outside the box to improve his game.

“Physically, I have been starting to take my diet more seriously and building a more solid game-day routine to tighten up in areas I may have lacked in last year,” he said. “Mentally, I have taken a deeper understanding of sports psychology. I have been reading a couple of books, and that has helped me to take a more focused approach to my game, especially with the goaltending position which is the hardest position to play in sports.”

One of his favorite reads is Mike Babcock’s “Leave No Doubt: A Credo for Chasing Your Dreams.” Martin even brings Jim Afremow’s “The Champion’s Mind: How Great Athletes Think, Train, and Thrive” with him on road trips. He used his new focused game style with the Syracuse Stingers in last week’s 2018 LaxAllStars North American Invitational (LASNAI).

The three-day event in Onondaga Nation featured 34 teams from around the world, including several teams with National Lacrosse League players. Playing in the tournament was another opportunity for Martin to face quality shooters.

“It was a run-and-gun challenge from every team,” he said. “I think it helped my game by being ready to play against anyone.”

This past season, Martin played for the Senior “B” Six Nations Rivermen and helped the team advance to its sixth straight Ontario Finals. During the postseason, the netminder appeared in two games and recorded an 8.14 goals-against average.

“He is one year older and one year wiser,” said Knighthawks Owner and General Manager Curt Styres, who originally signed Martin prior to last season. “He has had a couple of good years. He has a lot of good tools and a lot to work with.”

Martin recorded his finest season in 2017 as he powered the Six Nations Rivermen to a berth in the President’s Cup Finals, finishing the tournament with the top goals-against average (6.18) and a 4-1 record. He was rewarded with First Team All-Goalie honors as the Rivermen took home a silver medal. During the regular season, Martin was honored as the co-recipient of the league’s top goaltender award for the Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA) Senior “B” Men’s Lacrosse champs.

The 2017 season was his second time to the President’s Cup. His first trip to the tournament was a memorable one as the Ontario champs captured the Senior “B” championship. During the regular season, Martin recorded a 5-2 record and a 5.72 goals-against average.

The 25-year-old has also played three seasons of professional lacrosse. From 2015 to 2016, he played in the Canadian Lacrosse League (CLax) with the Ohsweken Demons. In both seasons, the Demons reached the Creator’s Cup Finals. During the 2017 Arena Lacrosse League (ALL) season, he continued his dominance by leading the Six Nations Snipers to a semifinal berth. Martin posted impressive numbers, collecting five wins, a 9.41 goals-against average and an .807 save percentage during the regular season.

“Chase is a goalie who checks a lot of boxes for us,” said Knighthawks President of Lacrosse Operations Jake Henhawk. “He has played at high levels and has won national championships. He is a solid goalie who can potentially be a breakout goaltender in this league. He is at the right age where goalies tend to come into their own, and we are looking forward to seeing what he can bring.”

At the Junior “B” level, Martin experienced unprecedented success, backstopping the Six Nations Rebels to three straight Founders’ Cup championships (2012-14). He also earned three consecutive co-Goaltender of the Year honors in the process. With such a long resume of success, the Knighthawks are eager to see Martin compete for a spot in training camp.

“Chase has the potential to be an NLL goaltender,” said Knighthawks Director of Player Development Duane Jacobs. “Like many goaltenders, it takes time to develop, and he is at a point where he can take his game to another level. It all depends on Chase and the work he is willing to put in.”

Related Posts