The Rochester Knighthawks enter the 2026-27 National Lacrosse League season with a new head coach, the reigning NLL Defensive Player of the Year and the No. 1 overall draft pick. After finishing 6-12 and missing the playoffs, Rochester has made significant changes in an effort to return to postseason contention.

Two-time NLL championship-winning coach Troy Cordingley takes over behind the bench, while Callum Jones and Syracuse standout Finn Thomson headline an intriguing group of offseason additions.

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Fans can follow the Knighthawks throughout the NLL regular season and playoffs on FloLacrosse and the FloSports app.

What To Know About The Rochester Knighthawks In 2026-27

• 2025-26 record: 6-12; 12th place; missed the playoffs.
• Head coach: Troy Cordingley.
• Season opener: Nov. 28, 2026, vs. Halifax Thunderbirds, 7 p.m. ET.
• Where to watch: FloLacrosse and the FloSports app.

How Did The Rochester Knighthawks Finish The 2025-26 NLL Season?

Rochester finished 6-12 in the 2025-26 season, placing 12th in the 14-team NLL standings and missing the playoffs.

The disappointing finish prompted a significant offseason response, including a coaching change and several important roster additions.

The Knighthawks hired Cordingley, acquired reigning Defensive Player of the Year Callum Jones and selected Finn Thomson first overall in the 2026 NLL entry draft.

Those moves give Rochester a different look entering 2026-27, although the team still must demonstrate that its new personnel can translate into more victories.

Who Is The Rochester Knighthawks Head Coach In 2026-27?

Troy Cordingley is the Rochester Knighthawks' head coach for the 2026-27 NLL season. He was hired June 18, 2026, after serving as Calgary's associate coach and player personnel coordinator.

Cordingley brings an impressive résumé, including two NLL Coach of the Year awards and two championships as a head coach. He had a 107-97 career coaching record when Rochester hired him.

What Are 3 Rochester Knighthawks Roster Storylines To Watch In 2026-27?

1. Callum Jones Brings Defensive Player Of The Year Credentials To Rochester

Rochester made one of its biggest offseason moves by selecting Callum Jones third overall in the NLL dispersal draft.

Jones arrives as the reigning NLL Defensive Player of the Year after a 2025-26 season in which he collected 173 loose balls and caused 32 turnovers.

His arrival gives Cordingley an established defensive standout as the Knighthawks attempt to improve on last season's six victories.

Jones' individual accomplishments are impressive, but the bigger question is how quickly Rochester's revamped defensive group can develop chemistry around its newest addition.

2. No. 1 Overall Pick Finn Thomson Gives Rochester A Promising Offensive Prospect

The Knighthawks selected Syracuse forward Finn Thomson with the first overall pick in the 2026 NLL entry draft.

Thomson finished his college career with 111 goals and 48 assists for 159 points in 65 games, establishing himself as a productive offensive player at Syracuse.

Those statistics came in college field lacrosse, and his transition to the professional indoor game will be an important storyline.

Thomson gives Rochester an exciting young prospect, although his draft position does not guarantee an opening-night roster spot or an immediate starting role.

3. Drew Hutchison Arrives In A Goaltending Trade With Halifax

Rochester also made a significant change in goal by acquiring Drew Hutchison and transition player Nonkon Thompson from the Halifax Thunderbirds.

In exchange, the Knighthawks sent goaltender Riley Hutchcraft and defender Tyler Biles to Halifax.

The transaction gives Cordingley different personnel to evaluate as Rochester prepares for the season. Hutchison's arrival creates a new goaltending option, but the trade does not establish the team's opening-night starter or final rotation.

How Rochester's new players fit together will be a major question throughout preseason preparations.

How To Watch The Rochester Knighthawks In The 2026-27 NLL Season

Fans can watch Rochester Knighthawks games during the 2026-27 National Lacrosse League season on FloLacrosse and the FloSports app.

FloLacrosse is the streaming home of the NLL, providing coverage of the regular season and playoffs. Fans can follow Rochester from its season opener against Halifax through its attempt to return to postseason contention under Cordingley.

What Is The Rochester Knighthawks 2026-27 NLL Schedule?

The Rochester Knighthawks play 18 regular-season games, with nine at home and nine on the road. Rochester opens at home against the Halifax Thunderbirds on Nov. 28 and concludes the regular season against the Colorado Mammoth on April 24.

All times Eastern (ET).

• Nov. 28, 2026: Halifax Thunderbirds at Rochester Knighthawks, 7 p.m. ET
• Dec. 18, 2026: Rochester Knighthawks at Las Vegas Desert Dogs, 10:30 p.m. ET
• Jan. 3, 2027: Vancouver Warriors at Rochester Knighthawks, 5 p.m. ET
• Jan. 9, 2027: Rochester Knighthawks at Colorado Mammoth, 9 p.m. ET
• Jan. 16, 2027: Rochester Knighthawks at Saskatchewan Rush, 8 p.m. ET
• Jan. 30, 2027: Oshawa FireWolves at Rochester Knighthawks, 7 p.m. ET
• Feb. 6, 2027: Rochester Knighthawks at Oshawa FireWolves, 7 p.m. ET
• Feb. 20, 2027: Toronto Rock at Rochester Knighthawks, 7 p.m. ET
• Feb. 21, 2027: Rochester Knighthawks at Toronto Rock, 3 p.m. ET
• Feb. 27, 2027: San Diego Seals at Rochester Knighthawks, 7 p.m. ET
• March 6, 2027: Rochester Knighthawks at Calgary Roughnecks, 9 p.m. ET
• March 13, 2027: Georgia Swarm at Rochester Knighthawks, 5 p.m. ET
• March 19, 2027: Rochester Knighthawks at Halifax Thunderbirds, 6:30 p.m. ET
• March 27, 2027: Las Vegas Desert Dogs at Rochester Knighthawks, 7 p.m. ET
• April 3, 2027: Rochester Knighthawks at Buffalo Bandits, 7 p.m. ET
• April 10, 2027: Buffalo Bandits at Rochester Knighthawks, 7 p.m. ET
• April 17, 2027: Rochester Knighthawks at Georgia Swarm, 7:30 p.m. ET
• April 24, 2027: Colorado Mammoth at Rochester Knighthawks, 7 p.m. ET

FloLacrosse Archived Footage

Video footage from the event will be archived and stored in a video library for FloLacrosse subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscription.

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