TROY, NY – The first week of the Albany FireWolves 2024-2025 Training Camp kicked off this past weekend with a group of players and coaches chomping at the bit to get the season started. The FireWolves were the biggest story of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) last season and they are eager to get back in action starting with their home opener at MVP Arena on Saturday, November 30.
They began their first session on Saturday morning in front of over 100 season ticket holders and fans who came to get a glimpse of the team that ignited the Capital Region with excitement last season. Fans were treated to the first look of the 2024-2025 FireWolves who have unfinished business and have their eyes set on hoisting the NLL Cup in May.
Watch the video recap below:
The FireWolves returned to the floor for the first time in 168 days since they walked off the turf at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY after falling to the Buffalo Bandits in the 2024 NLL Finals. In the first practice sessions of this new season, the FireWolves are already showing that last season wasn’t a fluke with a talented group of returners and several new dynamic additions.
“We accomplished what we wanted to accomplish,” said Glenn Clark, Head Coach and General Manager of the Albany FireWolves on Sunday following the end of the weekend sessions. “We had a smaller camp than usual, so it’s a lot more teaching and getting into some of the systems. There’s still some competition for different jobs and different roles on this team. You’re always looking for bigger, better, faster and I think we’ve got that with some personnel. We want to be a better version than we were last year.”
Heading into the 2024-2025 NLL Season, Clark keeps his core group from their championship run but adds a few pieces who will help them reach their championships goals. All 29 players in training camp will play in the scrimmages this upcoming weekend at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Hagersville, ON and get an opportunity to showcase themselves against another NLL opponent.
“I thought the guys we brought in looked great,” said Clark. “Dyson (Williams) looked really good, as advertised. I liked how Eric Fannell played, especially in our five-on-five sets. Zac Masson had a good camp. And some of the draft picks pushing for spots had a really strong showing. There’s still competition to be had and next weekend will be a big one for some guys.”
Dyson Williams showcased his speed, playmaking, and scoring touch that made him the #1 pick in 2023. Fans should expect to see #51 making exciting plays all season. Eric Fannell joins the FireWolves after several seasons in Halifax. Fannell played hard in every drill and showed his scoring ability on several nice plays.
Will Johansen was the #7 pick in the 2022 NLL Draft by the FireWolves, but missed last season due to a knee injury. Johansen looked strong in defensive situations and showed his transition scoring touch that will bring a spark to the FireWolves defense. Zac Masson was originally drafted to the NLL in 2017, but opted to play pro hockey for several years before signing with the FireWolves this past summer. Masson didn’t miss a step at training camp as he played with an edge and his presence will make the FireWolves defense even stronger. Will Johnston is a goalie coming in with two seasons of NLL experience under his belt. He is a steady presence in cage and will provide depth at the goalie position for the FireWolves.
Other newcomers to Albany are JP Ward, Jake Cates, Saam Olexo, Jakson Raposo, and Brendon Hoechsmann who all performed well in the practice sessions. They will get their first taste of the NLL level of play in the scrimmages coming up this weekend.
The FireWolves’ nineteen returning players went through an unforgettable journey last season. That feeling of being so close to their end goal of an NLL Championship is still fresh in their minds and it showed with the increased work ethic and communication during the first practice sessions.
“You can’t be satisfied obviously with where we were and where we finished,” said Colton Watkinson, defenseman and team Captain. “At the same time, it’s just continuous improvement. We’re not going to be the same team that we were at the end of last year so it’s building off that and continuing that process all year. Ultimately, we want to win a championship right? That’s why we play the game. So that’s the ultimate goal this year.”
Watkinson and the defense will be one of the best in the NLL with returners like Nick Chaykowsky, Jackson Nishimura, Patrick Kaschalk, John Wagner, and company locking it down on the back end. Doug Jamieson signed a three-year contract this offseason and he is coming off an NLL Goaltender of the Year nomination last season.
The 2024 NLL Rookie of the Year, Alex Simmons, will again be the main initiator for the FireWolves offense in his sophomore season. The chemistry of the Albany offense was on display at training camp as players like Ethan Walker, Travis Longboat, Tye Kurtz, Sam Firth, and Marshall Powless now have a season working together in the books. This young group is sure to give opposing defenses all kinds of trouble with how quick, crafty, and gritty they play.
A year ago, the FireWolves were coming off a 3-15 season and starting with a blank slate. Now, they know what it will take to reach the championship, and they will not be satisfied until they raise the NLL Cup.
“You’re never comfortable with what you’ve achieved,” said Clark. “You always look at how can we improve and how can we do things differently. That reflection always happens. So, we want to be better than we were last year and add some things to our repertoire. That’s what the offseason and preseason is about. It’s dynamic and it’s ever changing so you’re never content with what you’ve got.”
The FireWolves continue Training Camp this weekend with a trip north of the border for two scrimmages at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Hagersville, ON.
November, 9 – Scrimmage vs Halifax Thunderbirds at 6 pm Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Hagersville, ON
November, 10 – Scrimmage vs Rochester Knighthawks at 12 pm Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Hagersville, ON
Stay tuned to the Albany FireWolves social media pages for updates and highlights from the scrimmages.
The FireWolves will begin the 2024-2025 NLL season with their Home Opener on Saturday, November 30 at MVP Arena against the Saskatchewan Rush. The game will be a WHITEOUT and all fans are encouraged to wear white to support the FireWolves.
Season tickets for the FireWolves 2024-25 season are available now! 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 14 franchises across the United States and Canada: Albany FireWolves, Buffalo Bandits, Calgary Roughnecks, Colorado Mammoth, Georgia Swarm, Halifax Thunderbirds, Las Vegas Desert Dogs, Ottawa Black Bears, 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.
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 AFL 1 Arena Football League and the Division I Men’s College Basketball Siena Saints. For more information, please visit https://www.mvparena.com/
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