The Top 30 Stories of 2025
In 2022, we crowned the Colorado Mammoth’s upset NLL Cup win the year’s top story. In 2023, it was the Buffalo Bandits bucking their bad luck and taking the title. Last year, Team USA’s women capturing the first-ever World Lacrosse Box Championship gold grabbed #1.
Who’ll take the top spot this year?
The Lax Mag examined our overall impressions on both TheLaxMag.com and our social media, plus the impact this year’s most talked about teams, players, events and otherwise had in person and online to order 2025’s Top 30 box lacrosse stories.
Max Kruger, Orangeville Northmen (Photo: Dave Fryer)
30. OJLL ROTY Max Kruger commits to Syracuse, Gary Gait-led Orange no stranger to recruiting high-end box studs
“Syracuse has molded its offense around box players over the past few years. Owen Hiltz and Sam English were proficient box players, both of whom have since graduated. Joey Spallina, Finn Thomson and Trey Deere have all displayed proficiency as box players as well. Playing in the OJLL was crucial in Spallina’s development following his freshman season. After recording 68 points, he combined for 178 points as a sophomore and junior. Though Spallina will never play alongside Max Kruger, SU head coach Gary Gait has shown a willingness to recruit box players due to their creativity in tight spaces.” DailyOrange.com
Read: Road to the Minto Cup Seeds, Series, Schedules and Scores
Read: Top 50 Junior A Players 2025 Edition
Read: 2025 Junior A Award Winners from the BCJALL, OJLL and RMJALL
Paul Dawson, Buffalo Bandits (Photo: Caroline Sherman)
29. Paul Dawson sets new single-season blocks record, NLL counters with in-crease blocking rule
During the 2024-25 regular season, Oakville-native Paul Dawson not only broke the record for most blocks in one NLL regular season, he obliterated it. He wasn’t the only defender in 2025 to see sky-high blocking stats either.
Most Blocks in a Single NLL Regular Season
Player, Team (Season) Blocks
Paul Dawson, Buffalo (2025) 53
Ian Llord, Rochester (2025) 37
James Barclay, Las Vegas (2023) 29
Robert Hope, Colorado (2024) 28
Owen Grant, Vancouver (2025) 27
Reid Bowering, Vancouver (2022) 26
Matt Hossack, Saskatchewan (2025) 26
James Barclay, Las Vegas (2024) 26
How did the rest of the league counter Dawson’s very visible effectiveness at blocking shots directly in front of Bandits backstop Matt Vinc? They implemented a rule change for the upcoming season of course…
Read: #79 Paul Dawson in The Lax Mag’s NLL TOP 100 for more on Dawson and the NLL’s new shot-blocking specifics
Re-Read: Dan & Paul Dawson Playing for Pops
Read: Town of Oakville has most players rostered in NLL
Read: New NLL blocking restrictions have had little to no effect on Bandits early
Listen: The Back of the Bird Episode 141 - The Finale (Apple Podcasts)
Nick Rose, Toronto Rock (Photo: Ryan McCullough)
28. Toronto surprisingly trade long-time starting stopper Nick Rose to Calgary, then re-sign him over the offseason
“This was the hardest thing I’ve had to do since beginning my time as the GM of this team. Nick Rose has been the backbone of this team for a long time, and I can’t even begin to explain what he has meant to this team both on and off the floor. The opportunity to recoup a first round draft pick in an extremely deep draft, along with Robert Hudson and Gowah Abrams is the best move for the franchise going forward. We wish Nick and Tyler nothing but success in Calgary.” - Jamie Dawick, Toronto Rock Owner, President and General Manager (TorontoRock.com)
Rose would help the young Calgary Roughnecks get into the playoffs, all while posting one of the best full stat lines of any backstop last year, earning his fourth straight finalist mention for NLL Goalie of the Year. (NLL.com)
Nick Rose, Peterborough Lakers (Photo: David Pickering)
Dawick, who owns the TRAC-based Oakville Rock, also dealt Rose in Major Series Lacrosse, sending him to the Peterborough Lakers for goalie Landon Kells and a first round pick in the 2026 MSL Entry Draft. “I don’t have too many cracks left at winning a Mann Cup, so 100%, I want to try and win one. The Lakers organization is in the mix every single summer for it, and I’m excited to battle with my new teammates.” - Rose (PeterboroughLakers.ca)
241 days later, he was back in Toronto (TorontoRock.com)
27. Snake Island Muskies win Presidents Cup
Snapping the Ladner Pioneers streak of three straight Presidents Cup wins, the Snake Island Muskies topped the tournament host Brooklin Merchants in this year’s Senior ‘B’ Final. While Senior ‘B’ squads now have far fewer NLL players taking up roster spots, the Muskies still had a pretty stacked roster, featuring the likes of Ryan Lanchubury (Rochester Knighthawks), Joey Spallina (Syracuse University), Matt Acchione (Saskatchewan Rush), Landen Sinfield (Philadelphia Wings), former NLLers Stephen Keogh and Adam Bomberry, plus Presidents Cup MVP Nick Damude (Philadelphia Wings).
Snake Island Muskies (Photo: Austin Owens)
26. Dan MacRae takes over as Ottawa Black Bears Head Coach & General Manager
The Black Bears quietly parted ways with Head Coach Dan Ladouceur and GM Rich Lisk over the offseason, later naming former NLL Cup-winning captain and Minto Cup-winning coach Dan MacRae for both high-profile roles.
“We are excited for the leadership Dan will bring to the future of the Ottawa Black Bears. Dan has been part of the GF Sports and Entertainment family since we selected him in the expansion draft in 2019. He was the first captain with the New York Riptide and he has demonstrated a track record as a leader. The experience he will bring as a former captain and a proven winner cannot be overstated.” - Erik Baker, Ottawa Black Bears Governor (OttawaBlackBears.com)
Jeff Teat, Ottawa Black Bears (Photo: Candice Ward)
The Black Bears are currently 2-2 under MacRae, who added vet forward Rob Hellyer over the offseason. Hellyer, who has had immediate chemistry with franchise forward Jeff Teat, sits second in league scoring heading into 2026, trailing only teammate Teat for the top spot.
While the franchise certinaly seems to be finding their new form under MacRae, their success in the stands has been far from solid. After opening to nearly 7K in attendance for the team’s opening game in Ottawa (actually, Kanata ON) last year, the Black Bears has seen a serious slide in support. After just five weeks during the current NLL regular season, Ottawa owns the three lowest attended games so far.
Read: Ottawa Black Bears New Head Coach & GM (CTV.ca)
Re-Read: Can Ottawa-bound Riptide, soon-to-be Black Bears, make it work in Canada's capital?
Read: The history of going back to an NLL market that had previously failed
Read: Dan MacRae youngest bench boss in the NLL right now
Warren Hill, Halifax Thunderbirds (Photo: Trevor MacMillan)
25. Warren Hill allows only two goals against over 60 minutes, matches lowest single-game GA in NLL history
Halifax Thunderbirds netminder Warren Hill matched one of the rarest records in the NLL when he allowed just two totals goals against over four quarters in the team’s 11-2 victory over the Oshawa FireWolves. Hill’s .961 save percentage in that record-equalling win is also the highest any goalie in NLL history has had over a full game, which actually, might be even more impressive.
Regular Season
April 4, 2015
Rochester 10 over Minnesota 2
Matt Vinc (39 saves)
December 5, 2025
Halifax 11 over Oshawa 2
Warren Hill (49 saves)
Playoffs
April 16, 1999
Toronto 13 over Philadelphia 2
Bob Watson (36 saves)
Justin Tavares, Mimico Mountaineers (Photo: Bex Creatives)
24. 19-year-old Justin Tavares scores 52 goals during OJLL regular season, sees massive 72-point spike in previous season’s stats
The first ever 50-goal season in the Ontario Junior Lacrosse League happened in 1955 courtesy of Dave Baker of the Newmarket Green Gaels. He finished that season with 82 goals total, one of the highest all-time goal totals in league history.
Through the 60s and even as recently as the early 90s, a 50-goal campaign in Ontario’s Junior A league wasn’t as rare as it is today. Although the OJLL has a longer regular season schedule than any other Junior A league currently, all those decades back, the loop had the luxury of scheduling significantly longer seasons than today’s 20 GPs. The modern game’s more defensively detailed style of play also allows for fewer fast-break chances and free-flowing gameplay, which usually also means less Gs, generally speaking. Plus, goalie gear was a smidge smaller back then - or a lot.
Keep Reading: Ontario Junior Lacrosse League 50-Goal Club 1933-2025
Read: The Top 50 Junior A Players 2025 Edition
2025 Founders Cup, Tsuut’ina 7 Chiefs Sportsplex, Priddis AB (Photo: Cliff McCaig)
23. Kahnawake Hunters win first-ever Founders Cup
The Kahnawake Hunters have completed an historic season…the Hunters defeated the Coquitlam Adanacs by a score of 9-4 to be crowned the 2025 Founders Cup Champions – the best Junior ‘B’ lacrosse team in Canada.
The win is a historic first national championship for a team in any sport in the community.
“This is more than just a win,” Mohawk Council of Kahnawake Grand Chief Cody Diabo said. “It’s a powerful testament to the strength, unity, and determination of our youth. The Hunters have made Kahnawake proud, and their achievement will inspire generations to come.” (KahnawakeNews.com)
Matt Vinc (Photo: Buffalo Bandits)
22. 43-year-old Matt Vinc returns for another season after becoming first double three-peat winner in NLL history
Last year, Matt Vinc was The Lax Mag’s pick for NLL Goalie of the Year. He was the only goalie anywhere in the league to rank Top 5 in the seven most quoted goalie-specific stats: Minutes Played, Shots on Goal, Saves, Save %, GAA, GSA and Wins. A handful of weeks later, Vinc would go on to lead the Buffalo Bandits to a third straight NLL Cup, just the second time in NLL history a team pulled that off. The first were the 2012-2014 Rochester Knighthawks, a squad not so coincidently Vinc also backstopped to record-book-setting brilliance. At 43 years old, Vinc recently entered his 20th season in the league, and looks to help the Bandits do what no other team has done in the nearly four decades of the NLL existing… win four straight titles.
Photos: Ward Laforme Jr. (2012) and Buffalo Bandits (2025)
Jack Hannah (Photo: Stephen Greathouse)
21. Jack Hannah contract drama leads to early season deal to Denver
Coming off his best season in the NLL, rumours made the rounds over the offseason that Jack Hannah was hoping for a trade from Las Vegas to Denver, the American forward looking to play his NLL ball closer to his Colorado home. While the Desert Dogs made a series of high-profile free agent signings (see story #13 below for more), Hannah’s status remained unclear. The team later shared an update on social media saying they were committed to keeping Hannah in Sin City, but that message was deleted not long after posting. Here’s what it said…
Almost a month later, Hannah was still MIA but the Colorado Mammoth made a move, signing the National Collegiate Box Series (Best in Box: National Collegiate Box Series Top 40) and Team USBOXLA (Best in Box: U18 #bctour Top 25) alumn to an offer sheet, either with the hopes of obtaining Hannah or forcing Desert Dogs GM Shawn Williams’ hand…
The Dogs matched the Mammoth’s offer, and based on at Williams’ quoted comments, planned on him playing this year…
Determined for him to end up in Denver, the Mammoth traded multiple high picks over the next two drafts - two drafts many feel could be the most talent rich in league history - to finally get their man…
The Mammoth, who’ve run into serious offensive issues over their last two games, next play this upcoming weekend, and Hannah might very well already be activated. “While Hannah did not report to camp and Las Vegas’ first three matchups earlier this season, the 26-year-old is expected to dress for Colorado this season, possibly entering the Mammoth lineup as soon as the team’s Jan. 3 showdown against the Rochester Knighthawks.” (ColoradoMammoth.com)
Read: Jack Hannah defies the short-handed overtime odds with rare winner
Watch: The Box Evolution featuring Jack Hannah (April 17, 2020)
Photo: Jonathan Tenca and Ryan McCullough
20. NLL (mostly fight) vids go viral, featuring Hartley, Damude, Gash, Dobson and others
When we rebooted The Lax Mag ahead of the 2022 NLL season (LAXMAG was first founded in 2004 believe it or not), the league very obviously was shying away from sharing fight videos, instead ignoring a long-standing part of their game that at one time had sold-out arenas asking for more flying fists (and far fewer penalties than we get today). We were happy to scoop up their wasted social media impressions, but that didn’t last long. The NLL has seemingly once again embraced the fight game (for fuck’s sake, this isn’t ballet people, it’s box lacrosse!), either the league, teams or both posting punch-outs mere minutes after the sin bin door slammed shut.
Here were some of this year’s most watched NLL moments across all social media platforms over the past 12 months…
“So, if lacrosse does this, it might get famous…It might get huge! Broooo, that’s crazy.”
- Joe Rogan (Jan. 15, 2025)
19. Pat McAfee becomes big Chase Fraser fan even though polled players don’t share his sentiments
We did not have Pat McAfee becoming the President of the Chase Fraser Fan Club in 2025 on our bingo card, and neither did players we polled in our annual NLL Player Poll.
“The NLL is the real deal…The NLL is much more exciting than any of the other stuff I’ve been watching in the lacrosse world.”
- Pat McAfee (May 27, 2025)
Connor Fields, Rochester Knighthawks (Photo: Jonathan Tenca)
18. Connor Fields voted National Lacrosse League MVP, joins Casey Powell as only Americans to win the award
“The amount of people who have reached out has been overwhelming. I was taken back by it. Everyone on the team reached out, which says a lot about the group. Having ‘Haser’ (Mike Hasen) and Dan (Carey) reach out meant a lot. The things they said to me about this award were really humbling. Ever since I got here, I became the player that they saw in me. This is the player they saw me becoming. For me to hear that from them really meant the world. We really are a family on this team.” - Connor Fields (RochesterKnighthawks.com)
Read: WNY’s Connor Fields is MVP of National Lacrosse League (WIVB.com)
Read: NLL’s 30-60-90 Club
KeyBank Centre, Buffalo, New York (Photo: Caroline Sherman)
17. Buffalo Bandits set new single-season attendance record
“I’m not sure people truly knew what box lacrosse was and I wondered did they really understand the game. I spent a lot of time back in the day not only educating myself but also educating the masses as a PA guy. As things would happen on the floor, I would try to describe it so they could understand it and be educated on the sport.” - Chris Swenson, “Godfather of Banditland”
Read: 'The hottest ticket in town': How Banditland came to be the rowdiest arena in the NLL (Bandits.com)
Read: Bandits set NLL attendance record, clinch top seed for playoffs (WIVB.com)
Read: The average attendance in Buffalo is “more than double the leaguewide average attendance of a little more than 7,800.” (Sports Business Journal)
Read: While Banditland is booming, most of the rest of the league are seeing their ticket-selling stats slide, a lot
Connor Farrell (Photo: Buffalo Bandits)
16. Mitch de Snoo dealt at deadline, followed by off-season franchise tag confusion, but ultimately Buffalo bound
Dealt to Philadelphia by Toronto ahead of last year’s trade deadline, most were expecting Mitch de Snoo to re-sign in Rock City (like Nick Rose did, see story #28 above) - Toronto moving UFAs only to get them back several months later. The unique approach was actually kind of genius (see story #10 for more on what the Rock had incoming), that is, until de Snoo failed to acknowledge the Wings franchise-tag offer prior to a new CBA being signed (see story #4).
So, after the league and player’s association reached an agreement in late-October, Philly felt they still owned de Snoo’s rights (eligible players have 72 hours to decline a franchise-tag offer, which de Snoo or his agent did not do), while the former NLL Defensive Player of the Year firmly believed he was a free agent since when the tag was offered, there was no CBA in place. The NLL actually sided with the Wings, confirming on October 20, 2025 that, “The Philadelphia Wings have retained the rights to Mitch de Snoo.” Also of importance, de Snoo is pursuing an MD/PHD at the University of Toronto, so playing close to class is critical for him right now.
Through the NLLPA, de Snoo would later file a grievance over his questioned and still unclear status, with the hope of being granted full free agency if things fell in his favour. Before an official decision was rendered, however, de Snoo and the PA would back away from that fight, de Snoo instead being traded to… the Buffalo Bandits. It was the Bandits who traded de Snoo to the Rock way back in July of 2020. Days after the deal, de Snoo would sign a one-year contract with Buffalo.
Mitch de Snoo (Photo: Ryan McCullough)
Here are the three above mentioned trades involving de Snoo, including of course the most recent one that landed him back in Banditland just in time for the start of the 2025-26 NLL regular season. The Rock and Bandits oddly play just once this year, a February 28th matchup that adds even more fuel to the league’s most heated rivalry.
July 6, 2020
The Buffalo Bandits have traded Mitch de Snoo to the Toronto Rock in exchange for Brock Sorensen, Alec Tulett and a conditional first round selection in the 2020 Entry Draft or in the 2022 Entry Draft (eventually used to draft Cam Wyers).
February 25, 2025
The Toronto Rock have traded Mitch de Snoo and Chis Corbeil to the Philadelphia Wings in exchange for Philadelphia’s first round selection in the 2025 Entry Draft (eventually used to draft Owen Hiltz).
November 26, 2025
The Philadelphia Wings have traded Mitch de Snoo to the Buffalo Bandits in exchange for a conditional first round selection in the 2026 NLL Entry Draft and a conditional second round selection in the 2028 NLL Entry Draft.
Cody Malawsky, Coquitlam Adanacs (Photo: Austin Owens)
15. Cody Malawksy traded for third time from Langley to Coquitlam, named #1 in The Lax Mag’s Top 50 days before blasting off at Minto Cup
When we published this year’s Top 50 Junior ‘A’ Players list and had Cody Malawsky #1, our various in-boxes filled up fast with some pretty poisonous DMs mostly incoming from Ontario (“You’ve lost all credibility…”, “You’re a joke…”, and other clever quips, usually filled with typos, insulting our intelligence) and social media comments that questioned who Malawsky was and why he was anywhere near number one.
Then…
After being held to 0 goals and 0 assists in the opening game of the Minto Cup, we got even more mail - they seemingly forgot Malawsky had 50 points combined in the previous two Mintos. Over the next seven days, Malawsky went off like few at the tournament before him; easily leading the Minto in goals (and short-handed points), posting a stunning 7-point performance in the semifinals versus St. Catharines, overwhelming Orangeville in a two-game sweep of the finals, being named the Cup’s MVP, and forcing his detractors to delete many of those DMs and edit their comments under the graphic that named in #1 in all of Canada.
Dane Dobbie, Calgary Roughnecks 4/17/2009 (Photo: Matt J. Wiater)
14. Dane Dobbie retires after iconic 17-year career, joins Calgary staff as Lacrosse Operations Advisor
Spending all but three of his 17 season in Calgary, here’s where Dane Dobbie ranks all-time across Roughnecks career leaders, a clear NLL Hall of Fame first ballot entry, if of course the league ever brings it back (zero inductees since 2021’s catch-up class)…
Regular Season
Games Played: 197 (2nd)
Goals: 471 (2nd)
Assists: 481 (1st)
Points: 952 (2nd)
Power-Play Goals: 155 (1st)
Short-Handed Goals: 19 (2nd)
Game-Winning Goals: 20 (2nd)
Penalty Minutes: 295 (2nd)
Playoffs
Games Played: 30 (1st)
Goals: 66 (T1st)
Assists: 78 (1st)
Points: 144 (1st)
Power-Play Goals: 17 (1st)
Short-Handed Goals: 3 (T2nd)
Game-Winning Goals: 2 (T3rd)
Penalty Minutes: 34 (1st)
Curtis Dickson, Vancouver Warriors (Photo: Jordan Leigh)
13. Arguably most active and entertaining NLL free agency period ever
While we had a bit of a wait while the NLL and NLLPA negotiated a new collective bargaining agreement, the moves made after that deal was done have reshaped the league significantly. Either through signings or trades, here are the Top 6 new additions players we polled felt would make the biggest impact on their new team this winter…
Jesse King in Vancouver – 27%
Curtis Dickson in Vancouver – 17%
Chase Fraser in Las Vegas – 10%
Zed Williams in Rochester – 8%
Kyle Rubisch in Oshawa – 7 %
Mitch Jones in Las Vegas – 7%
Rob Hellyer in Ottawa – 7%
The Rest – 17%
Read: 2025 National Lacrosse League Player Poll
Read: 2025 NLL Free Agency Tracker (NLL.com)
Noah Snyder, Six Nations Arrows (Photo: Cade Dunford)
12. Box lacrosse community mourns far too early loss of Noah Snyder, Payton Cook and James Guest
“Two members of the Marquette men's lacrosse team were killed in a car wreck Friday night near the school's campus in downtown Milwaukee. Marquette officials confirmed that Scott Michaud and Noah Snyder died in the crash. A Mass was held in honor of them Saturday.” (ABC Eyewitness News)
Read: Woman charged with homicide in crash that killed 2 Marquette University lacrosse players (ABC News)
Read: “Noah demonstrated dedication to his sport, a strong sense of responsibility toward his teams, and genuine respect for his heritage. He represented the values and traditions of the Haudenosaunee with grace and dignity.” (Haudenosaunee Nationals via Facebook)
“You can’t teach the kind of kindness that Payton brought to the teams.”
- Tim Stewart (Dec. 8, 2025)
Read: Alberta’s lacrosse community grieves tragic loss of Sherwood Park teen killed in crash (CityNews)
Read: “James made an unforgettable impression on the lives he touched. He was deeply loved by his teammates and their families, whose lives were enriched simply by knowing him.” (Mimico Mountaineers via Instagram)
Brennan O’Neill, Joe Resetartis and Ian Ruebl, Philadelphia Wings
11. Philadelphia Wings tell players franchise is done one week, but back the next
When former NLL Commissioner Nick Sakiewicz came into power back in 2016, expansion was a priority, and putting a franchise back in Philadelphia was high on his list. The original Philadelphia Wings moved to Uncasville, Connecticut in 2015, then Albany, New York in 2021, and eventually Oshawa, Ontario this past summer. The OG Wings were once considered professional lacrosse’s most iconic and important franchise, and although their rebranded return was celebrated, the cheering has seemingly stopped, well, almost.
The team has qualified for the playoffs just once since their comeback campaign in 2019, finishing third from the very bottom of the NLL’s unified standings the previous two seasons.
Owned by a little company called Comcast Spectacor (the sports & entertainment arm of Comcast Corp., who bring in about $120 billion annually and also own the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers and Xfinity Mobile Arena), seem about done with this second stab at reestablishing a successful NLL franchise in Philadelphia.
Multiple sources close to the team confirmed with The Lax Mag that players were informed late last season that the Wings were done in Philly, only for Alibaba billionaire and double NLL franchise owner Joe Tsai to put them back on life support. While their future seems in significant doubt, again, 81% of players we polled recently don’t think they’ll kick out this time.
CJ Kirst, Toronto Rock (Photo: Ryan McCullough)
10. American CJ Kirst drafted first overall by Toronto, Rock select first three entry draft picks to make pro sports history
Never in professional sports history has a team picked the very first three players in their league’s draft of top amateur/collegiate talent. A few teams in other sports have come close, but one, two and three has gone down.
This past September, the Toronto Rock, usually just an observer during the opening round, changed that by taking CJ Kirst first overall, Ty Enlgish next, and then Owen Hiltz with the first three selections in the 2025 NLL Entry Draft. How did this happen? Well, a bit of luck, an unexpected falt finish, and some forward-thinking transactions.
Owen Hiltz, Toronto Rock (Photo: Ryan McCullough)
That first overall pick came courtesy of the Rock trading Rob Hellyer to Las Vegas ahead of the 2022 NLL season, obtaining the yet-to-play Desert Dogs’ first pick in 2024 (used to draft Sam English) and in 2025, which turned out to be Kirst as Vegas finished dead last a season ago.
The second pick, which was used to secure Ty English, is the easiest to follow. The Rock, who finished with one of their worst regular season records ever last year (6-12), finished 13th in the 14-team league.
For more on how they swung the third overall selection, see story #16 a bit above, Toronto dealing UFAs Mitch de Snoo and Chris Corbeil to Philadelphia for their first in 2025. The Wings had last year’s third-worst record.
Read: 2025 NLL Entry Draft Results (NLL.com)
Read: “…the Toronto Rock currently own almost as many first round picks in the next two drafts as they did the previous 15 drafts combined.”
Read: The Rock’s up-and-down history of drafting Americans
Read: The previous two times Toronto owned three first rounders, and the long-term results
Read: Every American ever taken in the NLL’s opening round
Read: NLL Draft number ones, plus how Brennan O’Neill & CJ Kirst matched first-pick history
Austin Staats (Photo: Kalea Vizmanos)
9. Austin Staats reinstated, released and then resuspended in ongoing off-floor drama
Cracking last year’s Top 30 Stories, the conclusion to Austin Staats’ story still seems far from being known.
“Several months ago, Austin A. Staats, 27, was sentenced to 90 days in jail for stomping on an unconscious man’s face and earlier this month, the San Diego Seals of the National Lacrosse League released him, relinquishing rights to him as a player…Just three weeks before being jailed for the bar fight incident, Staats was sentenced to the 2024 assault of a woman where he pleaded guilty to assault, assault with choking and mischief under $5,000…The original charge of endangering a life through aggravated assault was reduced; he had a bail circle to discuss release terms after his arrest; at sentencing, he was given a ‘sentencing circle’ where the court heard positive details of his life from supporters that included San Diego Seals coach Patrick Merrill; his defence lawyer argued passionately for a suspended sentence; and the Crown prosecutor said there was no utility putting him behind actual bars.” (The Brantford Expositor)
Originally reinstated by the league in November, the NLL has since put Staats on “investigative leave” while they do a deeper dive into any additional league rules violations. Not entirely sure what that’s referencing, but bottom line, Staats is still now permitted to play in the league.
Staats, who is active on Instagram, often posts Stories with positive messages, and recently shared that he’s been sober for an extended stretch. Social media comments on The Lax Mag’s Instagram account from individuals who seemingly know Staats, confirm that the troubled talent is sincerely trying to better himself and regrets past decisions.
The former first overall draft pick has not played in the NLL since May 5, 2024, a playoff game that ended with Staats violently striking an opposing player in the head.
Glenn Clark, Oshawa FireWolves (Photo: David Pickering)
8. FireWolves franchise shockingly moves from Albany to Oshawa
“This is a pivotal moment for our league and for the FireWolves franchise. Oshawa sits within one of the core epicenters of the indoor lacrosse world in Ontario, and the Tribute Communities Centre provides the perfect stage for us to deliver an incredible experience for all NLL constituents. The energy and passion of the sports’ fans in this area make this an ideal home for the franchise and our league.” - Brett Frood, NLL Commissioner (NLL.com)
Read: 2024 NLL Player Poll “…look, we’re committed to this community, we’re committed to this arena, and we want longevity and stability.”
Read: 2025 NLL Player Poll “Will the FireWolves succeed long term in Oshawa?”
Read: “While the National Hockey League has been unwilling to add a third Ontario-based franchise to their 32-team roster, the NLL now has three: Hamilton, Ottawa and Oshawa.” (NLL Schedule Analysis)
Read: A look at the NLL’s growing Canadian-centric landscape in comparison to other pro leagues
Dhane Smith (Photo: Buffalo Bandits)
7. Dhane Smith sets new assists record for fourth straight season
“Smith had one of the greatest point-producing seasons ever, whether you’re analyzing it just on his season-ending stat line or breaking it down weekly and grading his per-game averages like we do. Only a small handful of current NLL HOFers produced at a rate anywhere close to what Smith spit out this year (look up who JT, Gary, Paul or Junior played with those years, those teams were usually stacked, son). For a fourth consecutive season (not even Gretzky did that), Smith set a new single-season assists record (94…96…101…102) while helping Buffalo lead the league in overall offensive production. (2025 NLL Player Rankings: Most Valuable Player)
6. Christian Del Bianco unexpectedly dealt at trade deadline in blockbuster between rivals Vancouver & Calgary
Requesting to be dealt to the Vancouver Warriors so he could be closer to home and his non-NLL work, Christian Del Bianco informed fans via Instagram, “…as someone who runs his own business, is about to be married, I let the organization know shortly after the season that my life off the floor is my priority and when my contract ran out I would not be re-signing in Calgary.”
“The response from the Riggers was to hang a franchise tag on their most important player to keep Del Bianco’s rights for at least one more year. The 27-year-old said he was willing to sign a two-year contract with the Roughnecks at a slightly discounted rate with the caveat that he become a free agent at the end of contract.” (Calgary Herald)
Then for a while, nothing happened - outside of countless couch-related tweets - most feeling that Del Bianco would sit out the season while Calgary competed without him, but…
Christian Del Bianco (Photos: Vancouver Warriors)
Seemingly after the NLL trade deadline was officially done, another deal apparently snuck in before the buzzer:
March 10, 2025
The Calgary Roughnecks have traded Christian Del Bianco and future considerations to the Vancouver Warriors in exchange for Brayden Laity, Vancouver’s first round selection in the 2025 Entry Draft (later used to draft Kyle Pepper), their second round selection in the 2025 Entry Draft (later used to draft Jordan Vincent), their first round selection in the 2026 Entry Draft (TBD) and future considerations (Aden Walsh).
“It’s franchise changing. I think it’s parallel to Roberto Luongo [being acquired by the Canucks in 2006].”
- Curt Malawsky (March 12, 2025)
After officially joining the Warriors, Del Bianco would win his first six starts for the team, Vancouver easily qualifying for the playoffs after adding the former NLL Cup winner, Goalie of the Year and MVP (they went from 5-7 to 11-7), and then making it all the way to the NLL Cup semifinals - by far the furthest the franchise has gone since relocating to Langley/Vancouver. While his six games played last regular season were far too few for year-end award consideration, fans and media around the league attempted to muscle Del Bianco into MVP talk after having such a significant immediate impact on the Warriors.
Christian Del Bianco, Vancouver Warriors (Photo: Christian Bender)
Several months later, the Warriors would welcome a number of other now former Roughnecks, including Jesse King, Curtis Dickson, Shane Simpson and Reece Callies, all signed via free agency. Calgary, who also lost franchise legend Dane Dobbie to retirement (see story #14 above), had nearly 120 goals subtracted from last year’s regular season totals via those various offseason losses leaving for the Curt Malawsky-coached Vancouver Warriors.
Seneca Nation of Indians President J. Conrad Seneca (Photo: Micheline Veluvolu)
5. Rochester Knighthawks future in doubt after Buffalo Bandits, Bills and Sabres owner Terry Pegula drops franchise, but saved by Seneca Nation
“The Rochester Amerks have locked themselves in for five more American Hockey League seasons at Blue Cross Arena, but the future of the building’s other primary tenant, the National Lacrosse League’s Rochester Knighthawks, has been cast into doubt. The Pegulas, Terry and Kim, who have owned the Knighthawks franchise since 2019, are divesting themselves from that brand and now the NLL is trying to find a new ownership group, preferably in Rochester but possibly elsewhere.” (Democrat & Chronicle)
Photo: Micheline Veluvolu
“The Seneca Nation, a federally recognized Indian tribe based in western New York, has acquired the Rochester Knighthawks, a National Lacrosse League franchise. Seneca bought the franchise from the Pegula family, which announced in June that it would sell the team team after owning it since 2019. The Seneca Nation is believed to be just the second Indian tribe to own a professional sports franchise outright, joining the Mohegan Tribe, which has owned the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun since 2003.” (Forbes)
Brett Frood, NLL Commissioner (Photo: Micheline Veluvolu)
4. NLL & NLLPA agree to new CBA and save the 2025-26 season
After repeated delays of the start of free agency and NLL Commissioner Brett Frood and his team tied up with saving struggling franchises this past summer, a new National Lacrosse League Collective Bargaining Agreement was finally confirmed October 20, 2025, just a little over a month before the start of the 2025-26 regular season.
“This agreement represents a significant step forward for the future of the NLL. We are pleased that both the players and owners have mutually ratified the proposed new CBA, which will provide substantial benefit and a clear pathway toward a commercially and financially sustainable league. This is a vital time for the NLL, and we are confident that this CBA will have a positive and meaningful impact for all our constituents – teams, players, and fans.” - Frood (NLL.com)
Read: What was said in the past every time a new CBA was signed
Read: 14 folded. 14 remain. The status of every NLL franchise ever.
Read: NLL CBA History - We’ve been here before
Read: 2025-26 NLL regular season schedule analysis
Read: 2025 National Lacrosse League Player Poll
Six Nations Chiefs, 2025 Mann Cup Champions (Photo: Delta Lax Pics - Arsh Pannu & Evan Neaves)
3. Six Nations Chiefs three-peat in enemy territory during memorable Mann Cup at historic Queen’s Park Arena
When the Six Nations Chiefs make the Mann Cup, they don’t lose, the iconic Major Series Lacrosse club now 9-0 in the Senior ‘A’ Final after this year’s thrilling 4-3 series victory over the New Westminster Salmonbellies, who were twice a win away from bringing the trophy back to BC for the first time since 2015.
The Mann has become more of an NLL all-star series versus what it once was many decades ago, and if all you’re interested in is watching some all-time spectacular lacrosse, then you’re likely fine with that. If finding roster-related loopholes and spending obscene amounts of cash to bolster your roster isn’t your thing, then the modern-era Mann isn’t something you have circled on your calendar every mid-September.
With all that said, this year’s Mann was about as memorable a series as they come. While both sides had rosters that most NLL teams would be envious of, the Chiefs came in as heavy favourites, but were quickly down 2-0 in the series at New West’s historic Queen’s Park Arena. Six Nations would swing the series by taking the next two, the Bellies bouncing back in Game 5, the Chiefs staving off elimination in Game 6, and then winning their third straight Mann Cup in Game 7.
Read: “This is a great team, maybe one of the best in all-time franchise history.” - Duane Jacobs (The Brantford Expositor)
Read: Road to the Mann Cup Seeds, Series, Schedules and Scores
Read: Chiefs one of few teams in Mann history to still win Cup after going down 0-2
Read: A review of every very rare Game 7 in Mann Cup history
Read: Mann Cup single-series goals, assists and points records
Read: The WLA’s ongoing struggle to secure the Cup since 2000
Read: Elijah Gash takes serious run at Mann Cup PIM record
Josh Byrne (Photo: Buffalo Bandits)
2. Buffalo Bandits three-peat and become just second franchise in league history to win three consecutive Cups
“Three-peat and dynasty are now welcome phrases in Buffalo, as the Bandits captured their third consecutive NLL championship, joining the Rochester Knighthawks (2012-14) as the only teams in league history to accomplish the feat. The win also clinched a seventh title for the Bandits, the most in NLL history, surpassing the Philadelphia Wings and the Toronto Rock.” - (ESPN)
Read: Everything you need to know about the 2025 NLL Playoffs
Read: 2025 NLL Cup Preview
Watch: Bandits win NLL Finals, complete historic 3-peat (WGRZ)
Read: 3-peat! Bandits retain NLL Cup, winning 7th championship in team history (WIVB)
Read: Saskatchewan Rush come up short as Buffalo Bandits three-peat (Saskatoon StarPhoenix)
See: 2025 NLL Cup Game 3 Photo Gallery (Bandits)
Ty Banks, Coquitlam Adanacs (Photo: Shelly Fey)
1. Coquitlam Adanacs win back-to-back Minto Cups, first British Columbia-based team to win in Ontario since 1977
So why did Coquitlam’s Minto Cup win outrank what Buffalo and Six Nations did in 2025?
Well, with site and social statistic playing a big part in how we rank these stories, The Lax Mag’s Junior ‘A’ coverage crushes the digital metrics for anything NLL related we get, including Buffalo’s historic three-peat. Our collaborated content with the Minto tournament and various on-site media makers was easily our most viewed content on Instagram this year, while our Top 50 Junior ‘A’ Players list quadrupled the amount of online traffic to TheLaxMag.com versus our SEO-loaded NLL TOP 100.
Photos: Austin Owens and Shelly Fey
But more importantly, they’re #1 in 2025 because, unlike those two trophy wins above them here, the Coquitlam Adanacs were not not supposed to claim this year’ Minto Cup:
BC teams don’t win in Ontario - well, not since 1977.
The last time the province of BC won back-to-back Cups was 2004 & 2005.
Since 2003, only once has a team started the tournament 0-1 and gone on to win the title - they lost to Orangeville to open this year.
Also since 2003, the round-robin’s top seed almost always wins the Cup (that was eventually Orangeville). Before this summer, only four semifinal game winners also won the final.
They were not supposed to win the 2025 Minto Cup, but the Coquitlam Adanacs did.
Read: 2025 Junior A Award Winners from the BCJALL, OJLL and RMJALL
Read: Cody Malawsky ranks #1 in The Lax Mag’s Top 50 Junior ‘A’ Players
Read: Road to the Minto Cup Seeds, Series, Schedules and Scores
Read: More on Curt Malawsky’s dominance at the last three Minto Cups
Read: The Lax Mag explains Lacrosse Canada’s tournament tie-breaker rule
Read: 2026 Minto Cup will be hosted at Calgary’s Max Bell Centre from August 16–23