FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 3, 2023
BRETT MANNEY ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AFTER 14 SEASONS
ALBANY, NY – The Albany FireWolves of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) and Brett Manney today announce that the 14-year veteran has retired from the NLL.
Manney spent all but two years of his NLL career within the organization and was a team captain for much of his tenure. The defenseman broke into the league as an undrafted free agent with the San Jose Stealth and helped the team win a championship. After a brief stop in Washington, Manney transitioned to the Philadelphia Wings where he managed to appear on SportsCenter’s Top Ten Plays by making an incredible diving save behind his goaltender. The organization then relocated to Connecticut under the moniker of the New England Black Wolves. Manney was with the Wolves throughout the team’s tenure in Connecticut before the team relocated to Albany where he played the past two seasons with the FireWolves.
Over the course of 14 seasons in the NLL, Manney accumulated 68 total points on 14 goals and 54 assists. The defenseman also collected 608 loose balls and caused 136 turnovers. Aside from his prolific NLL career, Manney played in the MLL and represented Team USA at the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships twice, in 2015 and 2019. The FireWolves will honor their recent captain at the April 6 home game against the Toronto Rock. Additional details regarding Manney’s retirement ceremony will be announced at a later date.
“It has been an honor and joy to play with this organization for the last 13 years,” said Manney. “I can’t thank Mike French, Brad Brewster, Ted Goldthorpe, and the new ownership, headed by Oliver Marti, enough for all the support. I have grown so much as a player and a person since Glenn Clark, Clem D’Orazio, and Darryl Gibson took over and really changed these teams for the better. Albany is a growing lacrosse town that is starting to embrace the team and I saw that firsthand. There are some loyal fans in the Capital Region that welcomed us with open arms, and I hope they stay invested in the Wolves. Thank you for your howls and passion!”
“Brett gave everything to this franchise on and off the floor,” said Glenn Clark, Head Coach of the FireWolves. “He played hard every game and was willing to do anything to win. His contributions off the floor are what truly separated him as an incredible leader. He galvanized our group and was the perfect conduit between players and staff. We can’t replace what Brett contributed to our team, but his legacy of leadership will be carried on through the players he mentored.”
“Brett has been such a valuable contributor to all the teams I’ve been associated with throughout his career in the NLL,” said Mike French, partner of the FireWolves ownership team. “Brett is the epitome of a hardworking, disciplined defender, but his greatest trait is his leadership. He not only led by example, but he was also a terrific leader and dominant force in our locker room. He has been extremely important to the foundation and culture that we have established here in Albany with our FireWolves team and our FireWolves fans.”
“At the end of the day, we won with great guys in the locker room, and I am lucky enough to call some of them my best friends,” Manney continued. “We went into every game together playing for each other. Albany is lucky to have so many great character men that have been there, or still are. Finally, I could not do it without the support of my family who have been with me since day one. Special thanks to my wife Gracia who had been my rock and biggest supporter for me playing with the FireWolves. I couldn’t do it without her. I will always be a Wolf!”
Season tickets for the FireWolves’ 2023-24 season are on sale now! Tickets for individual FireWolves games will be available at a later date. For more information regarding tickets, visit www.AlbanyFireWolves.com or call/text the FireWolves front office at 518-362-4900.
About Albany FireWolves
The Albany FireWolves is the Capital Region’s very own Professional Box Lacrosse team, playing in the National Lacrosse League out of the MVP Arena in downtown Albany, NY. For more information, contact the Albany FireWolves Front Office at (518) 362-4900 or visit AlbanyFireWolves.com. Follow the team on Facebook at facebook.com/AlbFireWolves, Twitter @AlbFireWolves, and Instagram @AlbFireWolves.
About the National Lacrosse League
The National Lacrosse League (NLL) is North America’s premier professional lacrosse league. Founded in 1986, the NLL ranks third in average attendance for pro indoor sports worldwide, behind only the NHL and NBA. The League is comprised of 15 franchises across the United States and Canada: Albany FireWolves, Buffalo Bandits, Calgary Roughnecks, Colorado Mammoth, Georgia Swarm, Halifax Thunderbirds, Las Vegas Desert Dogs, New York Riptide, Panther City Lacrosse Club (TX), Philadelphia Wings, Rochester Knighthawks, San Diego Seals, Saskatchewan Rush, Toronto Rock, and Vancouver Warriors.
For more information, visit NLL.com and find @NLL on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For more information visit NLL.com.
About ASM Global
ASM Global is the world’s leading venue management and services company. The company was formed by the combination of AEG Facilities and SMG, global leaders in venue and event strategy and management. The company’s elite venue network spans five continents, with a portfolio of more than 325 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention, and exhibition centers, and performing arts venues. From Aberdeen to Anchorage, and Sydney to Stockholm, its venues connect people through the unique power of live experiences. ASM Global’s diverse portfolio of clients benefit from the company’s depth of resources and unparalleled experience, expertise and creative problem solving. Each day, the company’s 61,000 passionate employees around the world deliver locally tailored solutions and cutting-edge technologies to deliver maximum results for venue owners and amazing experiences for guests. By consistently looking for new ways to envision, innovate and empower the spaces and places that bring people together, ASM Global elevates the human spirit while delivering the highest value for all stakeholders. For more information, please visit www.asmglobal.com.
About MVP Arena
MVP Arena is a full-service entertainment and sports facility featuring a wide variety of family shows, sporting events, trade shows and concerts. Owned by Albany County and managed by ASM Global, MVP Arena opened in 1990 and is home to the Albany FireWolves of the National Lacrosse League, the Albany Empire of the National Arena League and the Division I Men’s College Basketball Siena Saints. For more information, please visit https://www.mvparena.com/.
