The Most Notable Free Agent Signings In Recent Memory

In honor of free agency, we’re looking back at some of the most impactful free agent signings in recent memory. These include players who helped their new teams win championships; players that brought veteran experience to young teams; and players who changed the whole landscape of the league.

While we recognize that free agents who choose to re-sign with their teams are just as likely to be impactful, this list only includes players who changed teams… or in the case of #1 on this list, players who joined the league for the first time.

1. Tom Schreiber Signs with Toronto (October 3, 2016)

Tom Schreiber wasn’t the first American to play in the NLL by a long shot, but the debut of Captain America, not to mention the additional signings of Kieran McArdle and Connor Buczek, certainly helped pave the way for the current wave of Americans learning box lacrosse. The high-profile American trio playing for the Canadian team was the first step in luring talent like Trevor Baptiste, Joe Nardella and Jack Hannah to the NLL. The Rock finished second in the East Division in 2017 with Schreiber leading with 94 points. They lost in the East Final, but at a time when many of the players from the Rock’s last championship run in 2011 were retiring, Schreiber’s debut with the team signaled that the Rock were ready to reload instead of rebuild.

2. Matt Vinc Signs with Buffalo (November 28, 2018)

After eight seasons with the Rochester Knighthawks, including a historic championship three-peat (2012-24), all-star goaltender Matt Vinc chose to head down I-75 to Banditland. The Knighthawks had fallen to the Saskatchewan Rush in the 2018 Final, and Vinc had to suffer through two more championship losses before tasting success again. But the two seasons (plus pandemic time) were worth the wait: though Buffalo lost, they also learned how to win. Vinc may have been the most important part of Buffalo’s back-to-back championship wins. He’s 40 years old and playing the best lacrosse of his career in between the pipes. He re-signed with Buffalo after the first championship, so who knows how many more he could win before he calls it quits?

3. Jeff Shattler Signs with Saskatchewan (August 4, 2017)

Leaving the Calgary Roughnecks was huge for Jeff Shattler. He’d spent 11 seasons there – his entire career minus one game (as a rookie for Buffalo in 2006). He had become one of the first true transition players and was a former league MVP. After a conversation with Rush management, Shattler made the decision to try something new. Luring Shattler away from the Roughnecks paid dividends for the Rush, who had failed in their three-peat attempt. But one year with Shattler in their lineup, and the Rush snatched their third title in four years.

4. Mike Poulin Signs with Georgia (2016)

Goaltender Mike Poulin departed Calgary after six and a half seasons with the Roughnecks, where he’d established himself as one of the best goalies in the league. It didn’t leave Calgary in too terrible a position, though: they had Frank Scigliano take over the starting role, and Christian Del Bianco was just breaking into the league. So Poulin was able to leave the Roughnecks in good hands while he sought out an NLL championship with the Swarm. It was only their second season in Georgia, and it showed fans the team would be a serious contender for years to come. Poulin remained with the Swarm until he announced his retirement in 2022 (though he would eventually unretire to help mentor Chris Origlieri in San Diego).

5. Dane Dobbie Signs with San Diego (August 16, 2021)

When the pandemic finally lifted, Dobbie, a career Roughneck, had signed with the San Diego Seals. The move was a resurgence for Dobbie – always a dominant player, he had his second-best season ever in his second year with the Seals (2023), scoring 101 points. Dobbie is 37 years old and is showing no signs of slowing down, ending up on the highlight reel most weeks. He wants to lead the Seals to an NLL championship before he calls it quits.

6. Dan Dawson and Brodie Merrill Signs with San Diego (December 5, 2018)

When you think of the recent great veterans of the NLL, Dan Dawson and Brodie Merrill are likely your top players on both offense and defense. What a coup for the expansion San Diego Seals to sign these two to lead their team in their first season. Dawson and Merrill immediately established the Seals not only as a legitimate presence in the league, but as a threat, too. Merrill was named captain and Dawson served as an assistant. Let’s not forget that Paul Dawson was later acquired via trade (March 19), which gave the Seals two sets of veteran brothers (with Patrick Merrill as head coach).

7. Kyle Buchanan Signs with Buffalo (August 2, 2020)

Kyle Buchanan is a human vacuum. As much as he can score some pretty goals – which are always appreciated in Banditland – the loose ball work he does is just as important, especially on a championship team. After spending four years with the New England Black Wolves, where he established himself as one of the smartest players in lacrosse with consecutive 50+ point seasons, he moved to San Diego for two seasons. But just before the pandemic, Banditland came calling. In his three seasons, he’s won two championships, scored 162 points and picked up 244 loose balls in 53 regular season games.