A standout Orillia lacrosse player has taken another step closer to achieving his dream of playing in the National Lacrosse League (NLL).
Trent Boyd has signed a two-year contract with the Rochester Knighthawks of the NLL. He will attend training camp with the hopes of making the team on Oct. 28.
Boyd, 25, grew up playing Orillia Minor Lacrosse (OML), following in the footsteps of his father, Scott, who played Senior A in Whitby, one of Ontario's lacrosse hotbeds.
“He had the love of the game, so he put me into it when I was about five years old,” Boyd explained. “I’ve been around it for so long now."
Boyd, an Orillia District Collegiate & Vocational Institute graduate, played Junior B with the Orillia Kings until he moved on to play for Clarington where he was scouted for the next level.
Boyd, a right-handed offensive player, went to an Arena Lacrosse League combine event where he got picked up by the Whitby Steelhawks.
“I had a good rookie year,” he said. “I ended up getting looked at by a few teams and Rochester ended up offering a spot to me.”
Steelhawks coach Gavin Prout was also recently signed by the Knighthawks as an offensive coach, which is how Boyd earned his opportunity.
“When he was called to coach in the NLL, I was one of the guys that he wanted to continue playing for him,” Boyd explained. “I was pretty stoked and blown away.”
Boyd hasn’t been promised a roster spot yet despite signing a two-year deal with the Knighthawks.
“I don’t know what the future holds,” he said. “I feel like I can make this roster, I just need to give it my all.”
Boyd says he has been well supported in his journey by his parents, grandparents, fiancé and friends.
“They’ve all been striving for me to push forward and accomplish my goals,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what gets in my way, they believe I can accomplish my goals.”
Boyd’s goal is to earn a full-time role on the Knighthawks and enjoy a long and successful NLL career.
This past season, Boyd coached U15 lacrosse for OML. He says the 20 players he coached, and their parents have offered words of encouragement and support for him on this next chapter of his lacrosse journey.
“It’s so surreal. t makes me feel confident and stronger," said Boyd who, along with his fellow coaching staff on that U15 team, were awarded OML’s bench staff of the year honours this past season.
If he can officially make it in the NLL, Boyd hopes his influence will inspire the next generation of players and coaches.
“There haven’t been too many local people who have gotten the opportunity to take that next step,” he said. “I hope I can have an impact on the game in Orillia.”
