IRVING — The Seneca Nation is celebrating the Rochester Knighthawks’ first major acquisition under the Nation’s ownership — a trade that brings a star Seneca player home to continue his remarkable journey in the Creator’s Game.

The Knighthawks announced Friday that the team acquired forward Zed Williams and a second-round selection (24th overall) in the 2025 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft from the Colorado Mammoth in exchange for Rochester’s first-round selection (10th overall) and second-round selection (28th overall) in this year’s draft.

Zed Williams

“To be part of what the Seneca Nation is building with the Knighthawks is a blessing,” Williams said. “I couldn’t be more excited to finally be home,” Williams said. “This is where our game began and where my love for the Creator’s Game was born.

“We are thrilled to bring Zed home and to have him as part of our Rochester Knighthawks family,” added Seneca Nation President J. Conrad Seneca, who has known Williams since he was a young child.

Seneca called the trade a big moment for the Knighthawks and for the Seneca Nation as the team owner, but even more so for Williams and for the Nation community.

“He plays the game the way we are all taught to play — for the enjoyment of the Creator,” Seneca added. “Zed’s accomplishments and talent on the field are remarkable, but his influence and standing here at home are even greater.”

A member of the Seneca Nation’s Wolf Clan, Williams grew up on the Cattaraugus Territory, where he learned to play lacrosse. Williams remains connected to the community as a youth coach and coach of the Allegany Arrows Senior B team, which is currently preparing to play in the Presidents Cup tournament in Whitby, Ontario, Canada.

“Wearing the Knighthawks jersey this season will have extra meaning for me,” Williams said. “I’ll be doing more than playing for my team and my teammates, I will be representing my people.”

Williams’ lacrosse journey has been marked by excellence at every level. He was a standout high school player at Silver Creek, where he broke the national career high school records for goals and points and led the team to five consecutive Class C Sectional titles. He went on to have an elite collegiate career at the University of Virginia, where he was a two-time Honorable Mention All-American, before embarking on an outstanding professional career.

Williams was drafted 4th overall by the Georgia Swarm in the 2017 NLL Entry Draft. He played three seasons with the Swarm and spent the past four seasons with the Colorado Mammoth, where he won the 2022-23 NLL Cup championship and made a return trip to the finals after the 2023-24 season.

In addition to his NLL career, Williams has starred in the Professional Lacrosse League, where he has been a three-time All-Pro and won the Most Valuable Player Award in 2020. He has also excelled at the Junior B level, winning three consecutive Founders Cup titles with the Six Nations Rebels, played for the Native Sons in the 2017 Presidents Cup, and was a member of the Haudenosaunee Nationals team at the 2019 World Box Lacrosse Championship.

Seneca Nation Councilor Joshua Becker, a former Rochester Knighthawks player and a member of the Allegany Arrows team currently coached by Williams, called him a first-class leader and teammate both on the floor and in the community.

“Zed is clearly extraordinarily talented, athletically gifted, and his level of competition is second to none, but his humility as a PLL MVP and NLL champion is most admirable. He leads by example with his work ethic and his love and respect for the game,” Becker said. “Above all, Zed sees a true brotherhood in the game and its ability to bring people together. If I were choosing a player to be part of any team, it would be Zed. He’s going to be a star for the Knighthawks and their fans.”

The Nation announced on Aug. 5 that it acquired the Knighthawks, securing the NLL franchise’s future in Rochester. President Seneca has made the Nation’s goals for the team very clear.

“We want to bring a championship to Rochester,” he said. “Zed shares that same drive. He has the heart of a warrior. I’m excited for him to be an influence in the locker room and a force on the field.”