Matt Hossack Bio
Matt Hossack is a Canadian professional lacrosse player who currently plays for the Saskatchewan Rush of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) and for the Philadelphia Waterdogs of the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL). A defence and transition player, he is recognized for his ground-ball work, shot-down reads, and steady presence on the back end. Hossack has been a contributor to the Rush’s run of NLL contention, including their 2018 NLL Championship.
Born on February 8, 1994, in Port Perry, Ontario, Hossack grew up in a strong lacrosse region and developed his game through junior and collegiate competition before turning professional in 2016. Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing 192 pounds, he has built his career on defensive reliability and the ability to push the ball in transition.
Early Life and Background
Matt Hossack was born and raised in Port Perry, Ontario, a small community within the broader Durham Region lacrosse scene that has produced a long line of Canadian box and field players. Growing up in this environment gave him early and consistent access to competitive lacrosse, including travel teams and Junior A programs that form the backbone of the country’s development system.
Before reaching the collegiate level, Hossack played junior lacrosse with the Whitby Warriors of the Ontario Junior A Lacrosse League, an established program known for producing professional talent. With the Warriors, he was part of a Minto Cup-winning squad, an accomplishment that highlighted his defensive foundation and his ability to compete at a high level against top junior-age competition in Canada.
Path to Professional Lacrosse
Hossack continued his development in the United States at the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he suited up for the RIT Tigers men’s lacrosse program in the Liberty League. Over the course of his college career, he established himself as one of the top defenders in the conference, earning Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year honours in back-to-back seasons.
His statistical footprint at RIT was significant. He finished fifth all-time in program history in ground balls with 369 and second all-time in caused turnovers with 139, a profile that matched the NLL’s appetite for defence-and-transition players who can disrupt opposing offences and start fast breaks. Those numbers, combined with his conference awards, made him an attractive prospect ahead of the 2016 NLL Draft.
Matt Hossack Career
Early Career (2016–2017)
Hossack entered the professional ranks in 2016 when he was selected 14th overall by the Saskatchewan Rush in the NLL Draft. He immediately joined a Rush roster that was emerging as one of the league’s top defensive units, and he spent his early professional seasons learning the NLL game while contributing on defence and in transition.
During this period he also continued to play summer lacrosse in Canada, suiting up for the Brooklin Lacrosse Club of the Major Series Lacrosse, one of the most competitive senior amateur leagues in the country. Those summer appearances helped him refine his box skills and keep his game sharp between NLL seasons.
Saskatchewan Rush Breakthrough (2018–2019)
Hossack’s defining early-career moment came in 2018, when the Saskatchewan Rush captured the NLL Championship. As a member of the championship roster, he contributed on the defensive end and in transition throughout the playoff run, including the NLL Cup Finals, giving him a title in only his second full professional season.
The 2018 championship cemented his standing within the Rush organization and established him as a reliable defender capable of handling high-leverage minutes. Over the following seasons, he continued to log steady shifts in Saskatchewan, pairing his ground-ball strength with growing comfort in the team’s defensive schemes.
Panther City Lacrosse Club Era (2020–2022)
In 2020, Hossack was selected by the Panther City Lacrosse Club in the NLL expansion draft, opening a new chapter in his professional career. The move to the expansion franchise offered him an opportunity to take on a larger role and help shape the identity of a new team.
He spent multiple seasons with Panther City, establishing himself as a veteran presence in the locker room while maintaining his role as a defence and transition player. His time with the club coincided with the franchise’s early developmental years in the NLL.
Return to Saskatchewan Rush and PLL Years (2023–Present)
Hossack returned to the Saskatchewan Rush, where he rejoined a contender and resumed a role on the team’s defensive unit. Around the same period, he became part of the Philadelphia Waterdogs roster in the Premier Lacrosse League, expanding his professional footprint into the outdoor, field-lacrosse circuit. The dual involvement has allowed him to compete year-round at a high level.
He has also previously been listed with the Atlanta Blaze and Denver Outlaws in Major League Lacrosse-affiliated competition, reflecting his broader experience across multiple professional field-lacrosse organizations. His recent form has been marked by consistent defensive play and reliable transition contributions for both the Rush and the Waterdogs.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hossack is best known for his defensive fundamentals: strong positional play, active stick work, and a willingness to sacrifice his body to win loose balls. He reads opposing offences well, and his background as a high-volume ground-ball collector at RIT translates into the box game, where second-effort plays often decide possessions. His right-handed shot and comfort carrying the ball in transition make him a threat to push pace after a stop.
Notable Events and Milestones
The headline milestone of Hossack’s career is his 2018 NLL Championship with the Saskatchewan Rush. He is also a former Minto Cup champion with the Whitby Warriors at the junior level, a Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year in college, and a top-15 NLL Draft pick whose defensive resume at RIT placed him among the all-time program leaders in ground balls and caused turnovers.
Matt Hossack Career Wins
Across his career, Matt Hossack has been part of championship-winning teams at multiple levels of lacrosse. His resume includes junior, collegiate, and professional titles, reflecting a steady climb through the Canadian and North American lacrosse systems.
NLL Highlights
Hossack’s most prominent professional accomplishment is the 2018 NLL Championship, won with the Saskatchewan Rush. He reached the milestone within his first two full professional seasons after being drafted 14th overall in 2016, and the title remains a defining moment of his career.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the NLL title, Hossack won a Minto Cup with the Whitby Warriors during his junior lacrosse career, an achievement that marked him as one of the top defencemen in his age group in Canada. He has also been a two-time Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year at RIT, a recognition of his consistency at the college level.
Matt Hossack Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Matt Hossack grew up in Port Perry, Ontario, a community with a strong lacrosse tradition, and developed his game through local and provincial programs. Detailed information about his immediate family and parents is not publicly documented in available sources.
Personal Life
Hossack maintains an active presence on social media, including accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram under lacrosse-related handles. Public information about his marital status, spouse, and children is not available in verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 campaign, Hossack is part of a Saskatchewan Rush roster that continues to be regarded as a contender in the NLL. His role on defence and in transition provides the team with experienced two-way play, and his familiarity with the organization’s systems eases his integration alongside newer teammates.
In the Premier Lacrosse League, his work with the Philadelphia Waterdogs gives him a second high-level platform to compete during the summer months, sharpening his field game and conditioning. The dual-league schedule has become a defining feature of his professional year.
Looking ahead through 2025, Hossack’s outlook centres on contributing to a deep Rush playoff push and continuing to be a steady presence on the Waterdogs’ defensive unit. His combination of professional experience, championship pedigree, and durable defensive habits positions him as a reliable contributor for both clubs.