Blaze Riorden, a well-known lacrosse player from Fairport, has been traded from the Philadelphia Wings to the Rochester Knighthawks in a deal that also included a second-round draft pick returning to Philadelphia. This move marks Riorden’s return to his hometown and reunites him with the Rochester fan base, where he first established his passion for the sport. The trade is drawing attention as Riorden continues to have a significant impact this season as a forward.
Blaze Riorden’s Impact on the Field and Excitement for Homecoming
This season, Riorden has contributed seven goals and 11 assists, showcasing his skill and leadership as a forward. Speaking about his chance to play home games at Rochester’s Blue Cross Arena, Riorden reflected on his early connection to the team, saying,
“Honestly, I could say that it’s a vision that I’ve had since I’ve ever started attending Knighthawks games. My dad said that he couldn’t even get me up to go get popcorn in between intermissions because I just wanted to watch all the little things happen.”
Dan Carey, the general manager of the Knighthawks, emphasized Riorden’s value to the team, noting,
“Blaze brings even more size and leadership to our forward group,”
and added,
“He knows how to get to the dirty areas of the floor and is a vocal leader. He will be a great role model for our younger players on and off the floor, and it’s always nice to bring a player home.”
Career Achievements and Experience
Throughout an eight-year career in the National Lacrosse League, Riorden has amassed 143 goals and 190 assists in 121 games. While he is currently playing as a forward, Riorden’s reputation is also strongly tied to his time as a goalie in the Premier Lacrosse League, where he earned five Oren Lyons Goalie of the Year awards and was named league MVP in 2021. His versatile talents have made him a standout player across both indoor and outdoor lacrosse leagues.
Riorden also enjoyed a successful high school career in Fairport, helping his team win two Section Five championships, further cementing his roots in the community.
Rochester Knighthawks’ Current Standings and Upcoming Matches
The Rochester Knighthawks have a 5-6 record this season and will face the Las Vegas team this Saturday. The addition of Riorden is expected to bolster the team’s offensive and leadership capabilities as they look to improve their standing and performance in the league. Bringing Riorden back home not only strengthens the roster but also energizes the fan base ahead of critical games.
