NEW YORK, August 22, 2019 – The New York Riptide announced today that the team has signed six additional free agents to one-year contracts for the team’s inaugural season. The signings include two New York natives, transition player Ryan Hotaling from Syracuse and forward Matt Kavanagh from Rockville Centre, as well as forward Zach Herreweyers, defenseman Scott Johnston, defenseman Brier Jonathan, and forward Kurtis Woodland.
“We are excited to have these players join us as we continue to build a roster filled with gritty, passionate players that will embody New York and Long Island pride on and off the field for the Riptide’s inaugural season,” said Riptide Head Coach and General Manager Regy Thorpe.
Herreweyers, a 6-0, 175-pound left-handed forward has played eight games over three seasons in the NLL, netting six goals and eight assists. Herreweyers was selected in the first-round (9th overall) in the 2016 NLL Entry Draft.
Hotaling, a 6-2, 220-pound transition player, is from Syracuse, New York and attended Nazareth College where he was a three-time All-American. Hotaling has played 82 games over six seasons in the NLL, most recently in 2017 with the New England Black Wolves. He is a two-time Team USA Indoor member and currently plays for the Kahnawake Mohawks in the Senior B Lacrosse League.
Johnston, a 5-11, 180-pound defenseman has five years NLL experience, most recently playing for the Toronto Rock in 2016. He was originally selected in the third-round (24th overall) in the 2010 NLL Entry Draft. Johnston currently plays for the Cobourg Kodiaks in Major Series Lacrosse (MSL).
Jonathan, a 6-0, 195-pound defenseman has three years NLL experience, most recently playing for the Buffalo Bandits in 2017. He was originally drafted in the third-round (27th overall) in the 2014 NLL Entry Draft. Jonathan has played for the Six Nations Chiefs in MSL for the past four years.
Kavanagh, a 5-8, 180-pound forward is a Rockville Centre, New York native who attended Notre Dame where he was a four-time All-American. He was a member of the USA U-19 Gold Medal Team and was named Tournament MVP. During the 2018-19 NLL season he saw a brief time on the practice squad for the San Diego Seals. Kavanagh currently plays for the Redwoods in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL).
Woodland, is a 6-1, 195-pound left-handed forward. His collegiate experience includes the past two years at Brock University in Ontario, Canada and previously he played lacrosse at Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania.
The NLL awarded the New York franchise to live events and sports media entertainment company GF Sports in December 2018. The Riptide will play home games at NYCB LIVE, Home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum when it begins play in December for the 2019-20 NLL season.
Fans can place a deposit on season ticket memberships at www.NewYorkRiptide.com or speak to a customer service representative at 516-888-6879 and follow the team @NewYorkRiptide to receive behind the scenes information as the team prepares for the 2019-20 season.