Keep the Americans and Knighthawks In Rochester

The Rochester Americans and Knighthawks have entertained the people of this city for 51 and 12 years respectively. They have captivated our hearts, given the city a great sense of sports tradition, given weekend entertainment to both hard-core and casual fans, and have aided in putting Rochester on the sports map. Both franchises have given rise in popularity to both hockey and lacrosse in the Greater Rochester area.





The Americans have helped spawn some local talent, as Brian Gionta and Rory Fitzpatrick are Rochester natives. Both have played for the Junior Americans, and both are now in the NHL. The Amerks have also developed both popular and very talented players that are either now, or once were in the NHL. Some of those many players include Gerry Cheevers, Don Cherry, Martin Biron, Ryan Miller, Jason Pominville, and Jody Gage, who is renowned in the AHL. Past coaches of the Amerks who have won the Stanley Cup in the NHL include Mike Keenan and John Tortorella. The team has won 6 championships and been to the Finals countless times. They helped bring two NHL games to downtown Rochester, one of which included a defending Stanley Cup champion. The Amerks have roots planted deeply not only in Rochester, but all over the hockey world.





The Knighthawks have made the playoffs a record 12 years in a row, and helped the local popularity of lacrosse rise significantly. They have given rise to a hard-core fan base, and created some great rivalries with teams in Buffalo and Toronto.





The people of Rochester deserve to have these teams remain playing for next season, and seasons to come. Bringing in another team, especially that of a lower tier league will not fill the void for us passionate fans. The city is also in a unique position to proudly claim the longevity, strength, and success of the Americans in a league where seeing any of those three aforementioned attributes are far and few between.





Mr. Golisano became the hero of Western New York for saving the Buffalo Sabres, and now we need a hero here in Rochester to save the Amerks and the Knighthawks. Money is always a factor, but it will hurt the city financially in the long run to lose both of these franchises.





Please, we come to you not only as loyal fans, but as loyal citizens and ask that you do the right thing and keep the Americans and the Knighthawks playing here next season.