(November 23, 2012)… The Rochester Knighthawks will come together tonight for the first time since May 19th, when the team captured the Champion’s Cup at The Blue Cross Arena. Two blocks away from the site of the historic victory, the team, coaches and staff will receive their Championship Rings at the Radisson Riverside Hotel.

The list of dignitaries is long and distinguished. The head table alone includes Knighthawks Owner and GM Curt Styres, Rochester Mayor Thomas S. Richards, Six Nations Chief Bill Montour, Chief Leroy Hill, and Knighthawks VP of Lacrosse Paul Gait. All the members of the 2012 NLL Champions will be in attendance. They will be joined by friends, family members and fans.

“It was definitely a different feeling the way the guys came together at the right time,” said two-time NLL Champion Kyle Laverty. “It’s always nice to play on good teams and be successful.”

Rochester will celebrate its 9-6 come-from-behind win over the Edmonton Rush. The Championship was the third in franchise and first won on home turf. The Knighthawks Championship Banquet will take place in the Grand Ballroom of the Radisson. The doors will open at 7:30 p.m. and dinner is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. At 9:00 p.m., Styres will present the Championship rings.

“It’s a big weekend in general,” said defenseman/transition man Brad Self. “To get the Championship rings is huge. It’s my first one in the NLL.”

Tonight’s festivities will mark the beginning of Training Camp for the defending champions. On Saturday, November 24th, the Knighthawks will kick off Camp with fitness testing from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Total Sports Experience in Gates. Practice is set for 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. The second day of camp is Sunday, November 25th from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. All practices are free and open to the public.

“It definitely will be an amazing evening,” said forward Mike Accursi. “It’s a fantastic way to cap off the 2012 Championship year, and a great way to start the run for a Champion’s Cup in 2013.”

The Knighthawks will host the Minnesota Swarm in a National Lacrosse League preseason game at The Blue Cross Arena on Saturday, December 8th at 8:00 p.m. FREE Tickets are available online at Knighthawks.com. Fans must have a ticket to enter the game.