Knighthawks Defenseman Brad Gillies Retires
Rochester's veteran blue-liner, drafted ninth overall in 2015, has announced his retirement after ten National Lacrosse League seasons.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Hockey
The Rochester Knighthawks announced that defenseman Brad Gillies is retiring. Gillies spent eight seasons with the Knighthawks and ten total seasons in the National Lacrosse League.
Why it matters
Gillies' departure closes a decade-long NLL career that included a 500th career loose ball and a 150th career game. His retirement marks the end of a tenure built on defensive play for a Rochester franchise he helped define.
Gillies recorded 10 goals and 13 assists over 68 regular-season games with the Knighthawks, and scooped up his 500th career loose ball during the 2025-26 season. The source does not detail any roles he may take after retirement.
The players
Rochester Knighthawks
The Rochester Knighthawks are a professional indoor lacrosse franchise in the National Lacrosse League based in Rochester, New York.
Brad Gillies
Brad Gillies is a former professional lacrosse defenseman from Oakville, Ontario who spent eight seasons with the Knighthawks.
The details
Gillies played for the RIT men's lacrosse team from 2012 to 2015 before being drafted by Rochester as the ninth pick in 2015. He later served as an assistant coach for the RIT men's program, and he played his 150th career game on March 15, 2026.
Timeline
2012-2015: Gillies plays for the RIT men's lacrosse team.
2015: The Knighthawks draft Gillies ninth overall.
2025-26 season: Gillies scoops his 500th career loose ball.
March 15, 2026: Gillies plays his 150th career game.
November 5, 2026: The Knighthawks announce Gillies' retirement.
Season Trajectory
Gillies' ten seasons in the National Lacrosse League place his career among the longer-tenured defensive careers in the league. His exit leaves the Knighthawks' defensive unit without one of its longest-serving members.
Fans tracking Knighthawks defensive depth will need to account for Gillies' absence from the blue line. Fantasy and roster observers should note the loss of a player with 500 career loose balls.
The takeaway
Gillies' career illustrates how a ninth-overall pick can become a durable defensive presence over a full decade in the league. His 500 career loose balls reflect hustle work that rarely appears in headline statistics.
Further reading
For more on the team's history, see Hockey coverage across the region.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WHEC.
