Oakville, ON – A lot has happened since the Rock last played a regular season game on April 19 in Rochester, a season finale win on the road that was a feel good moment to wrap up what was a forgettable 6-12 season.
Let’s catch you up.
First things first. The Rock held the first overall pick at the 2025 NLL Draft and selected a generational talent in NCAA Champion and Tewaaraton Award winner CJ Kirst. The 23-year-old from Bernardsville, NJ comes in as a mature athlete who is one of the greatest NCAA lacrosse players in the history of the game.
In addition, the Rock selected dynamic transition player Ty English second overall and crafty forward Owen Hiltz with the third pick in that same 2025 first round. While Ty English won’t play for the Rock this season after deciding to return to the University of North Carolina for one more season, his brother Sam who was selected second overall by the Rock in the 2024 NLL Draft will suit up for the Rock this season. Like Ty, Sam decided to take advantage of the opportunity to play an extra year at Syracuse University, delaying his NLL debut by a season.
The reloading continued in October when all-time Rock great Nick Rose returned to Rock City on a two-year agreement. Rose is the Rock franchise leader in wins, save percentage, and saves. The 2024 NLL Goalie of the Year has one thing on his mind and that is delivering a championship to this loyal fan base.
While there was warranted focus on the inbound players, there’s one player that is flying under the radar and that’s Mark Matthews. He had season ending shoulder surgery in early 2025 but has looked very good in training camp and his healthy presence in the Rock lineup is a big deal.
Matthews has done it all in lacrosse. Championships, MVPs, his name is synonymous with winning. Matthews’ impact on this young group of Rock future stars will be just as important to the Rock’s success as his production on the floor.
There’s also a pair of key members of this group not present to begin the season. The man at the dot, TD Ierlan is on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) List after being injured during the summer PLL season and there is no firm timetable for his return.
The second player not on the Rock roster is Unrestricted Free Agent Tom Schreiber who is recovering from off-season double knee surgery and is contemplating his lacrosse future. The Schreibers welcomed their third child to the world recently as well.
The off-season is behind us and the reloaded roster below are the men who will don the prestigious blue, red, and white jerseys on Friday night on the road in Oshawa for the season opener and go to battle for the Rock City faithful.
2025-26 Toronto Rock Roster
Forwards (7): Chris Boushy, Dan Craig, Josh Dawick, Owen Hiltz*, CJ Kirst*, Mark Matthews, Challen Rogers
Defence (11): Sam English*, Elijah Gash, Latrell Harris, Bill Hostrawser, Robert Hudson, Josh Jubenville, Zack Kearney, Hugh Kelleher*, Brad Kri, Justin Martin, Phil Mazzuca, Chris Weier
Goaltenders (2): Troy Holowchuk, Nick Rose
Practice Roster (3): Jake Darlison (D), Lucas Hucal* (D), Isiah Moran-Weekes* (F)
PUP List (1): TD Ierlan (D)
*rookie
Fans can watch the game on Friday night at 7:30pm ET on TSN and TSN+, the NLL’s official broadcaster.
The Toronto Rock will begin the home portion of their schedule following a bye week on Saturday, December 13 at 7pm at the brand new TD Coliseum in Hamilton against the Calgary Roughnecks.
For more information on Toronto Rock tickets, please contact a Toronto Rock account executive by phone at 905-426-4744, by email at tickets@torontorock.com or visit torontorock.com.
