National Lacrosse League teams have announced 20-man active rosters and practice squads for the 2016 NLL season, which starts on New Year’s Day to mark the league’s 30th anniversary year, following the roster cutdown deadline on Friday, Dec. 18.
After ultra-competitive and intense training camps and exhibitions this preseason, which of the world’s best lacrosse players made the final cut for their respective teams? Check out updated rosters and reactions from around the league below as teams ready to begin their quest for the Champion’s Cup.
Buffalo Bandits
Forwards (8): Ryan Benesch, Tyler Ferreira, Mitch Jones, Anthony Malcolm, Dhane Smith, Mark Steenhuis, Jerome Thompson, Daryl Veltman.
Transition (7): Matthew Bennett, Kevin Brownell, Brandon Goodwin, Alex Kedoh Hill, Jay Thorimbert, Nick Weiss, Mitch Wilde.
Defensemen (3): Jamie Batson, Steve Priolo, Billy Dee Smith.
Goaltenders (2): Anthony Cosmo, Davide DiRuscio.
Practice Squad: David Brock (T), Tim Edwards (T), Craig England (D), Adam Will (D).
Injured Reserve: Andrew Watt (T).
Suspended List: Chad Culp (F).
Calgary Roughnecks
Forwards (6): Wesley Berg, Curtis Dickson, Tyler Digby, Dane Dobbie, Reilly O’Connor, Jeff Shattler.
Transition (4): Karsen Leung, Curtis Manning, Dan MacRae, Garrett McIntosh.
Defensemen (7): Tyson Bell, Mike Carnegie, Scott Carnegie, Mitch de Snoo, Greg Harnett, Jon Harnett, Kellen LeClair.
Goaltenders (3): Christian Del Bianco, Mike Poulin, Frankie Scigliano.
Practice Squad: Patrick O’Meara (D).
Injured Reserve: Peter McFetridge (T).
Colorado Mammoth
Forwards (8): Mike Burke, Callum Crawford, Jackson Decker, John Grant Jr., Adam Jones, Eli McLaughlin, Jeremy Noble, Chris Wardle.
Defensemen (10): Dan Coates, Joey Cupido, Greg Downing, Ilija Gajic, Jordan Gilles, Cam Holding, Robert Hope, Creighton Reid, Josh Sullivan, Bryce Sweeting.
Goaltenders (2): Alex Buque, Dillon Ward.
Practice Squad: Conrad Chapman (D), Jamie Lincoln (F), Mike Woods (D).
Physically Unable to Perform List: Cam Flint (F).
Injured Reserve: Tyler Codron (D).
Georgia Swarm
Forwards (9): Josh Gillam, Shayne Jackson, Jesse King, Joe Maracle, Kiel Matisz, Johnny Powless, Randy Staats, Lyle Thompson, Miles Thompson.
Transition (6): David Earl, Jordan MacIntosh, Jason Noble, Ethan O’Connor, Chad Tutton, Joel White.
Defensemen (4): Reid Acton, Mitch Belisle, Alex Crepinsek, Drew Petkoff.
Goaltenders (1): Zach Higgins.
Practice Squad: Thomas Hoggarth (D), Marcus Holman (F), Jordan Houtby (D), Sean Young (T).
Physically Unable to Perform List: Brodie MacDonald (G), Michael Seidel (D).
New England Black Wolves
Forwards (9): Kevin Buchanan, Kyle Buchanan, Brett Bucktooth, Kevin Crowley, Shawn Evans, Mike MacDonald, Shane MacDonald, Quinn Powless, Pat Saunders.
Transition (1): Ryan Hotaling.
Defensemen (8): Dan Ball, Sheldon Burns, Brett Manney, Brian Megill, Bill O’Brien, Jimmy Purves, John Ranagan, Derek Suddons.
Goaltenders (2): Tye Belanger, Evan Kirk.
Practice Squad: Phil Caputo (F), Wenster Green (D), Zac Reid (D), Pete Rennie (D).
Injured Reserve: Mike Manley (D), Mike McNamara (D), Andrew Suitor (T).
Rochester Knighthawks
Forwards (8): Dan Dawson, Jordan Hall, Cody Jamieson, Stephen Keogh, Craig Point, Joe Resetarits, Cory Vitarelli, Joe Walters.
Defensemen (10): Adam Bomberry, Scott Campbell, Paul Dawson, Dylan Evans, Graeme Hossack, Mike Kirk, Ian Llord, Scott Self, Sid Smith, Jon Sullivan.
Goaltenders (2): Brandon Styres, Matt Vinc.
Practice Squad: Brad Gillies (D), Joel Matthews (F), Derek Searle (D), Ty Thompson (F).
Physically Unable to Perform List: Angus Goodleaf (G), Brad Self (D).
Saskatchewan Rush
Forwards (8): Robert Church, Jarrett Davis, Zack Greer, Curtis Knight, Riley Loewen, Mark Matthews, Ben McIntosh, Dan Taylor.
Transition (3): John LaFontaine, Adrian Sorichetti, Jeremy Thompson.
Defensemen (7): Nik Bilic, Chris Corbeil, Jeff Cornwall, Ryan Dilks, John Lintz, Brett Mydske, Kyle Rubisch.
Goaltenders (2): Aaron Bold, Tyler Carlson.
Practice Squad: Doug Buchan (G), Matthew Dinsdale (F), Jakob Doucet (D), Matt MacGrotty (D).
Toronto Rock
Forwards (7): Kasey Beirnes, Colin Doyle, Turner Evans, Rob Hellyer, Brett Hickey, Stephan Leblanc, Dan Lintner.
Transition (2): Jesse Gamble, Brodie Merrill.
Defensemen (9): Glen Bryan, Sandy Chapman, Jeff Gilbert, Bill Greer, Bill Hostrawser, Luc Magnan, Rob Marshall, Patrick Merrill, Brock Sorensen.
Goaltenders (2): Brandon Miller, Nick Rose.
Practice Squad: Kyle Aquin (F), Steve Fryer (G), Jordan Robertson (F).
Injured Reserve: Scott Johnston (D).
Physically Unable to Perform List: Damon Edwards (T), Kevin Ross (F), Josh Sanderson (F).
Protected Player List: Mike Grimes (D).
Vancouver Stealth
Forwards (7): Garrett Billings, Rhys Duch, Jordan Durston, Joel McCready, Logan Schuss, Corey Small, Cliff Smith.
Transition (5): Brandon Clelland, Travis Cornwall, Tyler Garrison, Mitch McMichael, Justin Salt.
Defensemen (6): Matt Beers, Curtis Hodgson, Ian Hawksbee, Brier Jonathan, Jeff Moleski, Chris O’Dougherty.
Goaltenders (2): Chris Levis, Eric Penney.
Practice Squad: Keegan Bal (F), Cody Hagedorn (G), Jarrett Toll (T), Ryan Wagner (D).
Injured Reserve: Tyler Hass (T), Rory Smith (D).
Reactions around the National Lacrosse League
“We liked where we were with our roster coming into the offseason and wanted to build on the success we had last year,” Bandits general Steve Dietrich told Bandits.com. “I think teams that maintain stability have success in this league and we’re hoping that’s the case with our team this season. It’s always difficult to release players, especially guys that have been a part of this organization in the past. The younger players we brought in forced us into some really tough decisions. We were excited to see the development of guys like Matt Bennett and Tyler Ferreira and we’re thrilled with Tim Edwards; he was the surprise of camp.”
“We have a very strong core group of players who have been getting better and better each season, and this year will be no exception,” Mammoth Director of Player Personnel Dan Carey told ColoradoMammoth.com. “We feel our new additions will complement our returners to create a deeper and more dynamic team than last season.”
“We’re excited to get started,” Swarm head coach Ed Comeau told GeorgiaSwarm.com. “We asked the guys that were at training camp to make it difficult on the coaches, and they certainly did that. We’re happy with the guys that we have and we’re in a good position to grow as a team and compete in a really tough league. People are going to talk about us being young, and as I said to the guys, being young doesn’t give any benefits in this league. The veteran leadership will be important and we know we have that on our team. Some of the guys wouldn’t be vets on other teams, but they are on our team. The leadership from within will be important to learn from our mistakes and become battle-tested really quickly in this league.”
“It’s a core group that has battled together and trust each other; but at the same time, the young guys have come in, pushed them throughout camp and everyone has earned their spot,” said Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen told Knighthawks.com. “It’s a group that will come together and will work to prove something to each other, each and every week.”
“Our staff did a tremendous job balancing the overall roster to add depth and versatility at every position,” Stealth President & General Manager Doug Locker told StealthLAX.com. “We really like the makeup of this group and it reflects the very competitive camp that we have had thus far. We will still have some decisions to make when a couple of key players come off the IR list after the first of the year, but that will provide us with even more depth. I can’t wait for the season to start on January 9.”
