It’s about that time. Getting a little colder outside, flannels starting to come out, college scrimmages with pinnies over hoodies, it all means one thing. The NLL opener isn’t all that far away. I made more of an effort to follow box lacrosse the last couple years, and I am so happy I did. NLL action is a ton of fun. It takes all the things I love about lacrosse and leans a little bit harder into the hockey and basketball parallels. Nothing not to like about that. For some field fans, it can be an acquired taste. In field, it can be a bit easier to watch just the player with the ball and what they’re doing, which really doesn’t work when watching indoor lacrosse. Once you get used to watching the game holistically, spending way less time focused on the individual matchup for the ball carrier, it’s incredible.
If you’re a PLL fan, or a field fan in general, and you want to give NLL a bigger try this year, congratulations on a great decision. Fandom today though is complicated. Some fans are still feverish supporters of their local team, some support a specific team regardless of who is on it and their local geography, and some fans have favorite players they follow from team to team. While I just like to watch lacrosse without a care in the world for what teams are actually playing, I recognize that’s really not the norm. Sports fans want a team or players to support. I want to try and help those PLL fans who decided to give the NLL a go this winter. To do that, I’ve gone team by team across the NLL and listed out their PLL players, their result in each of the last two seasons, and the year of their last title. Hopefully, for you PLL fans, this helps you decide who to support indoors this year. If a player is on the NLL Holdout List, you probably shouldn’t expect to see him out of the gate this winter. If he’s on the PLL Holdout List, you have a better chance of seeing him playing indoors. In the NLL, players can be drafted and then return to school. When that happens, the player can be put on a team’s Draft List, which is what that designation means. Some of the Draft List players like Dyson Williams, Payton Cormier, and Levi Anderson are high picks and you should expect to see. Some are more of a stashed player for the year. Moves are still happening, the Bandits made a trade as recently as this week. These lists are accurate as of the time of publication, but start checking on that NLL transactions page.
ALBANY FIREWOLVES
2024 Result: 11-7, lost in NLL Finals
2023 Result: 3-15, missed playoffs
Last Championship: Never
PLL Players on the active and inactive roster:
Tye Kurtz, Carolina Chaos
Joe Nardella, Maryland Whipsnakes
John Piatelli, Former California Redwoods and Boston Cannons
Jackson Reid, former Maryland Whipsnake
Alex Simmons, California Redwoods
Jeff Trainor, Boston Cannons (NLL Practice Roster)
Ethan Walker, Philadelphia Waterdogs
Charlie Kitchen, Philadelphia Waterdogs (NLL Holdout List)
Dyson Williams, Utah Archers
Grant Ammann, former Boston Cannons (NLL Draft List)
Saam Olexo, Denver Outlaws
The Firewolves are a fun one. They were arguably the best story in the league a year ago. They finished dead last in 2023, and then started 2024 6-0. The youth movement led by Alex Simmons, Tye Kurtz, Ethan Walker, and many others had the Firewolves way ahead of schedule. This year, they’ll be adding first overall draft pick Dyson Williams to the mix. There’s not a particularly strong connection to a PLL roster here, which makes this a bit tricky. There’s some Redwoods, some Waterdogs, and a couple Cannons. Archers fans who want to follow the ascent of Dyson Williams in the pro ranks could find themselves drawn to Albany. This year, the Firewolves will have something they didn’t have last year: big expectations.
BUFFALO BANDITS
2024 Result: 11-7, won NLL Championship
2023 Result: 14-4, won NLL Championship
Last Championship: 2024
PLL Players on Active and Inactive Roster:
Kyle Buchanan, former Carolina Chaos
Tehoka Nanticoke, former Carolina Chaos
Chris Cloutier, Carolina Chaos (PLL Holdout List)
Connor Farrell, former Denver Outlaw/Chrome
Ian Mackay, Carolina Chaos
Josh Byrne, Carolina Chaos
Dhane Smith, Carolina Chaos (PLL Holdout List)
Chase Fraser, Carolina Chaos (PLL Holdout List)
Cam Wyers, Utah Archers
The connection here remains obvious. Chaos fans, just start shopping for some orange. Even with the players that are currently on the holdout list in the PLL, it’s all about Carolina on this squad. The Bandits are also a great team to follow every week for the fan who doesn’t really want to pick a team, but wants to see the best of what the NLL has to offer. They are back to back champs, they have the league MVP in Josh Byrne. Matt Vinc is up there in years but is still a legendary goaltender. Dhane Smith is coming for all the assist records in the book. They play home games in front of 19,000 screaming Buffalo fans. The community and the Bandits have a great relationship. Bars and restaurants near the arena get packed with fans who watch the game on broadcast if they can’t get a ticket. The Bandits are the gold standard for what a pro lacrosse franchise should be.
CALGARY ROUGHNECKS
2024 Result: 8-10, missed playoffs
2023 Result: 13-5, lost in conference finals
Last Championship: 2019
PLL Players on Active and Inactive Roster:
Tanner Cook, former Carolina Chaos
Curtis Dickson, former Carolina Chaos
Eli Salama, Denver Outlaws
Jesse King, former Denver Outlaws/Chrome
Justin Inacio, Utah Archers
Brayden Mayea, Carolina Chaos
Tyler Pace, former Philadelphia Waterdogs
Jack Posey, Carolina Chaos (NLL Draft List)
Calgary missed the playoffs last year for just the third time in two decades. They’ll be in the mix again. The Roughnecks don’t stay down. Curtis Dickson comes over from San Diego in a deal that sent Zach Currier to San Diego, what I’d say was the biggest deal of the off season. The story to watch now with this team is what happens with netminder Christian Del Bianco. He’s currently franchised tagged, but may not play under the tag. He’s a former MVP and one of the best in the business. Not only is he a great ball stopper, he’s the best in the league at pushing tempo the other way and punishing substitution errors by the opponent. If Chaos fans don’t like the idea of getting behind a back to back champ in Buffalo for fear of being called a front runner, Calgary isn’t a bad second choice. Some former players are on this team, and if Del Bianco is in goal, you’ll get elite goaltending.
COLORADO MAMMOTH
2024 Result: 5-13, missed playoffs
2023 Result: 9-9, lost in NLL Championship
Last Championship: 2022
PLL Players on Active and Inactive Roster:
Tim Edwards, former Boston Cannon
Warren Jeffrey, Utah Archers
Connor Kelly, Philadelphia Waterdogs
Ryan Lee, California Redwoods (NLL Injured List)
Eli McLaughlin, former California Redwood
Dillon Ward, Philadelphia Waterdogs
Zed Williams, Maryland Whipsnakes
Matt Dunn, Maryland Whipsnakes (NLL Holdout List)
Dalton Sulver, former Carolina Chaos
Asher Nolting, Cannons (NLL Holdout List)
Matt Brandau, Philadelphia Waterdogs (NLL Draft List)
AJ Mercurio, Philadelphia Waterdogs (NLL Draft List)
Dylan Hess, Carolina Chaos (NLL Draft List, PLL Holdout List)
Nobody saw 2024 coming for the Mammoth. After going to the finals in back to back years, including winning the title in 2022, the Mammoth finished 2024 with the league’s worst record. On top of that, thanks to a trade, they didn’t even keep the first overall draft pick; it went to Philadelphia. One thing you’ll get with the Mammoth is a great home atmosphere. Even as it was clear this year wasn’t going to end as well as the last two, the fans in Denver kept packing the arena. The Mammoth play in Ball Arena, “The Loud House”, and it’s a great atmosphere. He’s not a PLL player, but they added Will Malcom with the first pick in the Panther City dispersal draft, a rising superstar on the left side. Adding Malcom to Eli McLaughlin and Dylan Kinnear on the left, while the right still has former top pick Tyson Gibson, Connor Kelly, and Zed Williams, should give Mammoth fans an offense to be excited about. There’s not a strong PLL team connection here, Waterdogs are probably the best of all. A Mammoth fan will get a great home atmosphere every time out, a team that could be playing with something to prove this winter.
GEORGIA SWARM
2024 Result: 10-8, lost in NLL Quarterfinals
2023 Result: 8-10, missed playoffs
Last Championship: 2017
PLL Players on Active and Inactive Roster:
Brendan Bomberry, former Boston Cannon
Liam Byrnes, Philadelphia Waterdogs
Bryan Cole, former Maryland Whipsnake
Chet Comizio, New York Atlas (NLL Practice Player)
TJ Comizio, former Carolina Chaos
Brett Dobson, Utah Archers
Jeff Henrick, former Denver Outlaws/Chrome
Shayne Jackson, former Boston Cannon
Andrew Kew, former Boston Cannon
Jordan Macintosh, former Denver Outlaws/Chrome
Mike Manley, Denver Outlaws/Chrome
Carter Page, Philadelphia Waterdogs
John Ranagan, former Denver Outlaws/Chrome
Jeremy Thompson, former New York Atlas
Miles Thompson, former Carolina Chaos
Lyle Thompson, Boston Cannons (PLL Holdout List)
Piper Bond, Utah Archers (NLL Holdout List)
Jeff Conner, former Philadelphia Waterdogs (NLL Holdout)
Now that’s a lot of outdoor talent. And this doesn’t even cover some serious weapons out there, like Seth Oakes or Brady Kearnan. Georgia doesn’t just have a lot of PLL pros, they have world class talent at multiple spots. Brett Dobson is just as good indoors as he is outdoors, which is “best in the world” level good. Lyle Thompson is still Lyle Thompson. The Swarm won four of their last six games last year, breaking through into the playoffs. They took eventual champion Buffalo to the brink in the opening round, losing in OT. With this much PLL talent, the Swarm can really be a team for anyone. To me, this is a good team for Cannons fans. Some of your great “one that got away” players - excellent players who really just play indoors - are here. Lyle, Shayne Jackson, Andrew Kew, Brendan Bomberry, it’s a fun pseudo-Cannons group to get behind.
HALIFAX THUNDERBIRDS
2024 Result: 10-8, lost in NLL Quarterfinals
2023 Result: 10-8, lost in conference semifinals
Last Championship: 2014 (As Rochester Knighthawks)
PLL Players on Active and Inactive Roster:
Clarke Petterson, California Redwoods (PLL Holdout List)
Randy Staats, former Denver Outlaws/Chrome (NLL UFA)
Graeme Hossack, Utah Archers
Jake Withers, Philadelphia Waterdogs
Cole Kirst, California Redwoods
Ryan Terefenko, Denver Outlaws/Chrome
Tyson Bell, former Boston Cannon
Mike Robinson, Boston Cannons (NLL Draft List)
Patrick Foley, former Denver Outlaws/Chrome
Chris Fake, California Redwoods (NLL Draft List)
Beau Pederson, Utah Archers (NLL Draft List)
Halifax is a tricky one. They’ve been loaded on paper, but it hasn’t always translated into a dominant season or deep playoff run. 10-8 each of the last two years, didn’t make it out of the first round in either season. One of their top weapons, Randy Staats, became an unrestricted free agent this season and as of October 7th, remains unsigned. Halifax still has elite talent at spots all over the floor. Wake:Riat Bowhunter and Cody Jamieson are exceptional. Ryan Terefenko has developed into a contender for Transition Player of the Year. Jake Withers will post loose ball stat lines that make your head spin. Graeme Hossack is Graeme Hossack. All the pieces fit, but when will they all get put together? The Birds are a great team to cheer for if you want to find a team trying to get over the hump, akin to the Archers two years ago. Title level talent, but just gets stuck in the playoffs. If you want to get behind a team and pull for them to get on the same page, break through and get to the finals, Halifax could be for you.
LAS VEGAS DESERT DOGS
2024 Result: 5-13, missed playoffs
2023 Result: 5-13, missed playoffs
Last Championship: Never
PLL Players on Active and Inactive Roster:
Jonathan Donville, Boston Cannons
James Barclay, Maryland Whipsnakes (PLL Holdout List)
Jack Hannah, Philadelphia Waterdogs
Connor Kirst, Boston Cannons
Charlie Bertrand, California Redwoods
Jack VanOverbeke, Utah Archers
Zach Cole, California Redwoods (PLL PUP List)
Adam Poitras, Maryland Whipsnakes (NLL Draft List)
Tyler Carpenter, New York Atlas (NLL Draft List)
Kenny Brower, Philadelphia Waterdogs (NLL Draft List, PLL PUP List)
Vegas is the newest team in the league (Ottawa doesn’t really count because they are just the relocated Riptide). If you want to get in on the ground floor of an NLL team with loads of young talent, this is the squad for you. They grabbed former first overall pick Jonathan Donville via the dispersal draft. Jack Hannah and Connor Kirst were just named to the All World team at the World Box Lacrosse Championships. Sean Westley was very impressive last year as part of a young and dangerous right side. The left side has some age to it, but is being bolstered through the draft. Adam Poitras will join that left side this year. Albany put it all together with young guys last year and took the league by storm with a loaded offense, the Desert Dogs have the talent to be this year’s Albany. Counting all the roster designations, the Dogs have 22 players who are age 25 or younger. Vegas is the team for the PLL fan who doesn’t want to be accused of front running, but wants to be able to say “I was a fan even before they really blew up”.
OTTAWA BLACK BEARS
2024 Result: 8-10, missed playoffs (as New York Riptide)
2023 Result: 5-13, missed playoffs (as New York Riptide)
Last Championship: Never
PLL Players on Active and Inactive Roster:
Josh Currier, former Boston Cannon
JT Giles-Harris, Denver Outlaws/Chrome (NLL Holdout List)
Petey LaSalla, Maryland Whipsnakes (NLL Holdout List)
Reilly O’Connor, former New York Atlas
Jeff Teat, New York Atlas
Ron John, California Redwoods
Gavin Adler, New York Atlas (NLL Draft List)
Mason Woodward, Utah Archers (NLL Draft List)
Jake Stevens, New York Atlas (NLL Draft List)
The new kids! Sort of. The New York Riptide are no more, they have relocated and are now the Ottawa Black Bears. This team was in the mix for a playoff spot in the last weekend of the season last year, but didn’t get the right set of results to lock up a spot. Let’s not waste time, Atlas fans, this is your team. Jeff Teat is going to be in the MVP discussion again, because he always is. He finished with 130 points last year, third in the league behind Josh Byrne and Dhane Smith. He led the league in goals and was fifth in assists. All the wizardry you are used to outdoors, you see it indoors too. This Black Bears front office has been active in trying to make moves and improve the roster; they definitely don’t get complacent. They acquired Taggart Clark from Philadelphia to try and make a playoff push, they chase proven talent in free agency, they definitely aren’t gun shy. Fans appreciate that sort of thing. Jake Stevens is a first round pick who joins the club this year. They added Zach Higgins in net. Callum Jones, a rookie a year ago, is one of the best young defenders in the league. He’s the kind of player you love when he’s on your team, but you hate if he plays for the opponent. He’s part of a young but developing defensive core, learning behind Damon Edwards. With this many Atlas guys on the roster the match is natural.
PHILADELPHIA WINGS
2024 Result: 6-12, missed playoffs
2023 Result: 9-9, missed playoffs
Last Championship: 2001
PLL Players on Active and Inactive Roster:
Isaiah Davis-Allen, California Redwoods
Matt Rambo, Maryland Whipsnakes (NLL Holdout List)
Joe Resetarits, former Carolina Chaos
Blaze Riorden, Carolina Chaos
Koby Smith, New York Atlas (NLL Holdout List)
Jack Jasinski, former Carolina Chaos
Matt Moore, Utah Archers (NLL Draft List)
Nick Rowlett, Carolina Chaos
Dalton Young, Denver Outlaws (NLL Draft List)
Brennan O’Neill, Denver Outlaws
I know there are plenty of PLL guys on there and none of them are Waterdogs, but if you’re in Philly you’re a Wings fan. Sorry, I just wouldn’t feel safe if I tried to make a case for someone in Philly to cheer for a team outside Philly. You Philadelphians frighten me. If you’re NOT from Philly, there are plenty of reasons to cheer for the Wings. For one, Blaze Riorden. PLL fans know him as a Goalie of the Year and MVP winner, making saves and backstopping one of the best defenses in lacrosse. Well indoors, you won’t see any of that. Riorden is a forward indoors, one of the top options on Philly’s left side. Second reason to love the Wings, Brennan O’Neill. He does indeed have some box background from playing indoors in his youth days. The first overall pick signed a three year deal with the Wings, and the word is, he has every intention of giving his all to the indoor game. Last year, this team was defined by having a very good offense and a defense that was, to say it politely, bad. They leaned on Zach Higgins to make a ton of stops and keep them in games. Higgins is now on the Black Bears, but Philly added Nick Damude via dispersal draft, and have some other defensive upgrades. Outlaws should get behind this team just for O’Neill, Chaos fans can watch their goalie score a whole lot of goals, and neutral PLL fans looking for an offense that can really do some damage should enjoy the Wings.
ROCHESTER KNIGHTHAWKS
2024 Result: 8-10, lost in NLL Quarterfinals
2023 Result: 10-8, lost in conference semifinal
Last championship: 2014
PLL Players on Active and Inactive Roster:
Connor Fields, Utah Archers
Ryland Rees, Philadelphia Waterdogs
Joe Post, former Denver Outlaws/Chrome
Dan Coates, former Carolina Chaos
Ryan Smith, Carolina Chaos (PLL Holdout List)
Thomas McConvey, Philadelphia Waterdogs
Brandon Slade, former Utah Archer
Jake Piseno, Denver Outlaws (NLL Draft List)
Mike Sisselberger, Utah Archers (NLL Draft List)
Jared Conners, Utah Archers (NLL Draft List)
The Knighthawks have had something of a roundabout journey. They played in the NLL from 1995-2019, when they became the Halifax Thunderbirds. As part of that, the Knighthawks intellectual property was sold to Terry and Kim Pegula (owners of the Buffalo Bills), who would keep a Knighthawks team in Rochester but as an expansion team. So the new Knighthawks franchise doesn’t have the records and all that from the first 25 years, all that went to Halifax, and this is a new Knighthawk team. Why do it this way? I won’t pretend to know. Either way, the Knighthawks! If you are a Buffalo fan but don’t want to cheer for the Bandits, I guess this is the team for you. Rochester made the playoffs last year in the last game of the regular season. They were a massive long shot to make the playoffs, but got the exact series of game results they needed, including winning two games in a weekend themselves. Talking Knighthawks has to start with Connor Fields. He had 120 points this past season, and despite the 8-10 record had his name in MVP conversations. As if the points weren’t enough, Fields also had 159 loose balls. He’s a game changer like few others in the league. The rest of the Hawks offense is nothing to sneeze at. They acquired Ryan Lanchbury from Georgia last year, and he immediately had a positive impact. The right side with Lanchbury and Ryan Smith compliments a left side of Fields and Thomas McConvey; the Hawks offense is built to win for a long time. The draft list for this team is stacked too, with Jake Piseno, Graydon Hogg, Jack Boyden, and Mike Sisselberger, the Knighthawks are going to jump on some teams this year. Goaltending was a question last year, if they can improve it this year, they’ll need to win fewer shootouts and can play more comfortable lacrosse.
SAN DIEGO SEALS
2024 Result: 13-5, lost in NLL Semifinals
2023 Result: 14-4, lost in conference semifinals
Last championship: Never
PLL Players on Active and Inactive Roster:
Trevor Baptiste, New York Atlas
Wes Berg, California Redwoods
Eli Gobrecht, Philadelphia Waterdogs
Patrick Shoemay, Utah Archers (PLL PUP List)
Tre Leclaire, Utah Archers
Payton Rezanka, New York Atlas
Xander Dickson, New York Atlas (NLL PUP List)
Kyle Jackson, Carolina Chaos
Austin Staats, former Carolina Chaos
Danny Logan, New York Atlas
Ben McIntosh, former Philadelphia Waterdogs
Mac O’Keefe, Utah Archers
Ty Thompson, former Denver Outlaws/Chrome
Zach Currier, Philadelphia Waterdogs
Brodie Merrill, former Boston Cannons
Marcus Hudgins, Philadelphia Waterdogs (NLL Draft List)
San Diego has been on the cusp. They’re right at the edge of winning the ring, and they manage the roster like it. They chase big names, they add all stars, they want to make their roster with the best of the best to try and get themselves to the title. They keep having great regular seasons, and then semifinal exits. This offseason they made some more big moves, shipping out Curtis Dickson to Calgary to bring in Zach Currier, and letting Dane Dobbie go in free agency. They added Ryan Benesch. They acquired Chris Wardle midseason last winter. As I said, they are big game hunters when it comes to talent acquisition. A look up and down that list of PLL pros tells you what you need to know, this roster is loaded. The question is, what’s missing here? It’s hard to find a spot where the Seals don’t have a glut of weapons and quality players. If you’re an Atlas fan who doesn’t mind staying up late for west coast games, some of your greats are on the Seals. Baptiste, Logan, Rezanka, that’s a heck of a group. If you’re an Archers fan in Utah, it’s easy to stay up for O’Keefe and Leclaire. If you want to jump on the train for championship contender, but not the defending champ, but you also don’t mind being called a front runner, the Seals are for you.
SASKATCHEWAN RUSH
2024 Result: 8-10, missed playoffs
2023 Result: 8-10, missed playoffs
Last Championship: 2018
PLL Players on Active and Inactive Roster:
Mike Messenger, Denver Outlaws/Chrome (PLL Holdout List)
Holden Garlent, California Redwoods
Josh Zawada, Denver Outlaws
Levi Anderson, Maryland Whipsnakes
Matt Hossack, former Philadelphia Waterdogs
Jake Naso, former California Redwoods
OK, not a ton of PLL flavor for the Rush. Saskatchewan was alive for the playoffs, albeit a longshot, the last weekend of the regular season a year ago. They were a bit inconsistent. One week, they got blown out by Colorado. The next, they took Buffalo to OT. There’s a lot to be excited about for the Rush. Zach Manns had his biggest year as a pro by far last season, totalling 84 points when he never previously had broken 40. Robert Church and Ryan Keenan were both excellent. They drafted Levi Anderson, who became a 19 man regular and a semifinal hero for the Whipsnakes in his rookie PLL summer. Anderson was a first round pick in the NLL, he’ll be a top weapon right away. The Rush ended last season with wins over Calgary, San Diego, and a one goal loss to Toronto. They’ll be trying to carry that momentum in this season. Be warned if you have sensitive eyes, the Saskatchewan turf is BRIGHT.
TORONTO ROCK
2024 Result: 15-3, lost in NLL Semifinals
2023 Result: 13-5, lost in conference finals
Last Championship: 2011
PLL Players on Active and Inactive Roster:
Latrell Harris, Utah Archers (PLL Injured Reserve, NLL PUP List)
TD Ierlan, California Redwoods
Challen Rogers, Utah Archers (PLL PUP List)
Tom Schreiber, Utah Archers (PLL Injured Reserve)
Tucker Dordevic, Maryland Whipsnakes (NLL Draft List)
Elijah Gash, former Maryland Whipsnakes
Brett Makar, New York Atlas (NLL Draft List)
Toronto was regarded as the best team in the league last year right up until their playoff loss to Buffalo. Last year, the Rock defense was outstanding. Nick Rose had an MVP level season in goal, while players in front of him like Brad Kri and Mitch de Snoo blanketed opponents and pushed for transition opportunities. Despite the fact that Toronto was without Latrell Harris for the year, and Tom Schreiber for a large chunk of the year, the Rock dominated. Sooner or later, they’ll have to slay the orange and black boogeyman in Buffalo. Harris should be back this year, Schreiber’s status will be something to watch as he had a late season shoulder injury over the summer. Mark Matthews is a former field pro but never played PLL; outdoor fans will know him well regardless. The Rock will be a serious contender yet again. The Rock and Archers players have a nice measure of support and respect for each other. Last summer, Nick Rose drove the injured Latrell Harris to Philadelphia so they could watch the Archers and their Rock teammates win a PLL title. Archers fans will be drawn here as some of their top weapons outdoors play together indoors too.
VANCOUVER WARRIORS
2024 Result: 8-10, missed playoffs
2023 Result: 4-14, missed playoffs
Last Championship: 2010 (As Washington Stealth)
PLL Players on Active and Inactive Roster:
Reid Bowering, New York Atlas
Adam Charalambides, Boston Cannons
Kevin Crowley, former Carolina Chaos
Owen Grant, California Redwoods (PLL PUP List)
Sam Handley, Denver Outlaws (NLL Draft List)
Payton Cormier, New York Atlas (NLL Draft List)
Alec Stathakis, Philadelphia Waterdogs (NLL Draft List)
Cole Kastner, California Redwoods (PLL Holdout List, NLL Draft List)
Finally, the Warriors. In their history they’ve been the Albany Attack, San Jose Stealth, Washington Stealth, Vancouver Stealth, and now their current iteration. The Warriors season a year ago was about as up and down as it gets. The first half of the year, way down. Way way WAY down. They went 2-8 over the first 10 games, and floated around the bottom two or three in the power rankings, and dead bottom of the standings. The last eight games, they went 6-2. They beat Buffalo and Halifax in that stretch. Vancouver was actually alive for a playoff spot in the last weekend despite that 2-8 start. The Warriors are a team that’s building around some outstanding young talent. Players like Adam Charalambides and Ryan Sheridan on offense, with Owen Grant on defense. They add Payton Cormier this year via the draft. They have quality vets like Kevin Crowley. Last year, it felt like they were learning how to win games and play consistently well as a new team. Head Coach Curt Malawsky was the perfect man for the job with this roster. This season, it’ll be about taking the lessons from last year, and starting the year as hot as they were when last year ended. There’s no obvious PLL team connection in terms of personnel, but the Warriors were a team last year they played some mean defense and had an offense that learned to put things together as the year went on, with young talent gradually taking the reins. There may not be any on the roster, but that sounds like the Whipsnakes to me.
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