2024 NLL season


The 2024 NLL season was the 37th season of play of the National Lacrosse League. The season began on December 1, 2023, and ended on May 18, 2024, with the Buffalo Bandits sweeping the Albany FireWolves 2–0 in the NLL Finals series to claim their sixth league title.
During the season, on 29 December 2023, Canadian referee Carmen Massel became the first woman to be part of the officiating crew in a game in the NLL. She was the shot clock operator for the San Diego Seals vs. Rochester Knighthawks game in San Diego.

League business

NLL Unboxed

On November 16, 2023, the NLL announced "NLL Unboxed", a new initiative to promote lacrosse among youth via branded "lacrosse communities" in strategic markets that do not currently have NLL teams. As part of the initiative, the NLL hosted a regular season game known as the NLL Unboxed Series in Laval, Quebec featuring the New York Riptide hosting the Toronto Rock at Place Bell.

Team relocation

On February 21, 2024, the NLL announced that the New York Riptide would relocate to Ottawa, and will be renamed the Ottawa Black Bears.

Regular season

The 2024 season introduced a new regular season format; conferences were abolished, with all teams now playing within the same standings. Each team played each other at least once, and the schedule formula provided the opportunity for four "flex games" to showcase league rivalries and players. The top eight teams advanced to the playoffs.x = clinched playoff berth | z = clinched top overall record

Scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes; LB = Loose Balls
PlayerTeamGPGAPtsPIMLB
Josh ByrneBuffalo Bandits1853821351475
Dhane SmithBuffalo Bandits18331011348119
Jeff TeatNew York Riptide1858731316111
Connor FieldsRochester Knighthawks18566412010158
Mitchell JonesPhiladelphia Wings1836751110110
Wesley BergSan Diego Seals1841671081896
Jesse KingCalgary Roughnecks1832731051685
Keegan BalVancouver Warriors184956105266
Will MalcomPanther City Lacrosse Club183768105094
Clarke PettersonHalifax Thunderbirds1840641041091

Leading goaltenders

Note: GP = Games played; Mins = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses: GA = Goals Allowed; SV% = Save Percentage; GAA = Goals against average
PlayerTeamGPMinsWLGASV%GAA
Nick RoseToronto Rock1810781521650.8119.18
Christopher OriglieriSan Diego Seals1810591351730.7929.79
Doug JamiesonAlbany FireWolves179781151650.80010.12
Christian Del BiancoCalgary Roughnecks1810818101920.79510.65
Warren HillHalifax Thunderbirds181039981880.77310.85

Playoffs

  • ''Overtime''

Semifinal (best of three)

(1) Toronto Rock vs. (4) Buffalo Bandits

Bandits win series 2–0.

(2) San Diego Seals vs. (3) Albany FireWolves

FireWolves win series 2–0.

NLL Final (best of three)

Bandits win series 2–0.

Awards

Annual awards

AwardWinnerOther Finalists
Most Valuable PlayerJosh Byrne, Buffalo BanditsDhane Smith, Buffalo Bandits
Nick Rose, Toronto Rock
Goaltender of the YearNick Rose, Toronto RockDoug Jamieson, Albany FireWolves
Chris Origlieri, San Diego Seals
Defensive Player of the YearRyan Dilks, Vancouver WarriorsMitch de Snoo, Toronto Rock
Brad Kri, Toronto Rock
Transition Player of the YearJake Withers, Halifax ThunderbirdsIan MacKay, Buffalo Bandits
Shane Simpson, Calgary Roughnecks
Offensive Player of the YearJosh Byrne, Buffalo BanditsDhane Smith, Buffalo Bandits
Jeff Teat, New York Riptide
Rookie of the YearAlex Simmons, Albany FireWolvesOwen Grant, Vancouver Warriors
Tye Kurtz, Albany FireWolves
Sportsmanship AwardLyle Thompson, Georgia SwarmKeegan Bal, Vancouver Warriors
Tom Schreiber, Toronto Rock
GM of the YearGlenn Clark, Albany FireWolvesJamie Dawick, Toronto Rock
Curt Malawsky, Vancouver Warriors
Les Bartley AwardGlenn Clark, Albany FireWolvesCurt Malawsky, Vancouver Warriors
Matt Sawyer, Toronto Rock
Executive of the Year AwardJohn Catalano, Halifax ThunderbirdsMike Hancock, Toronto Rock
Oliver Marti, Albany FireWolves
Teammate of the Year AwardZach Greer, Las Vegas Desert Dogsnot announced
Tom Borrelli AwardAdam Levi, NLL.com, NLLPA, Inside Lacrosse, "Lacrosse Matrix" podcastTeddy Jenner, TSN, "Off the CrosseBar" podcast
Graeme Perrow, NLL Chatter

Stadiums and locations

Buffalo BanditsHalifax ThunderbirdsRochester KnighthawksToronto Rock
KeyBank CenterScotiabank CentreBlue Cross ArenaFirst Ontario Centre
Capacity: 19,070Capacity: 10,595Capacity: 11,200Capacity: 17,383

Calgary RoughnecksColorado MammothSan Diego SealsSaskatchewan Rush
WestJet Field at Scotiabank SaddledomeBall ArenaPechanga ArenaCo-op Field at SaskTel Centre
Capacity: 19,289 Capacity: 18,007Capacity: 12,920Capacity: 15,190

Vancouver WarriorsLas Vegas Desert DogsPanther City Lacrosse Club
Rogers ArenaMichelob Ultra ArenaDickies Arena
Capacity: 18,910Capacity: 12,000Capacity: 12,200