PREVIEW – The 2026-27 Oshawa FireWolves season is coming later this month. They will begin their second season in the NLL in Oshawa.
There is also a lot of excitement this season, with the addition of a new player, a new captain, and the creation of the Junior FireWolves Training Academy and School Program.
Players Acquired: James Barclay (D, UFA), Andrew Bowman (F, 2026 NLL Entry Draft, Round 3, Pick 33), Aidan Fearn (D, Dispersal Draft), Jonathan Gagliardi (T/D, Free Agency), Holden Garlent (D, Acquired from the Saskatchewan Rush), Rob Hellyer (F, UFA), Laine Hruska (G, Free Agency), Ron John (T, Dispersal Draft), Justin Lee (F, 2026 NLL Entry Draft, Round 2, Pick 19), Jeremi Phoenix-Lefebvre (F, Free Agency, from Georgia), Jeff Teat (F, Dispersal Draft), Curtis Ward (F, Free Agency), Aaron Woods (F, Free Agency, previously Halifax/Toronto), and Nathan Woods (D, Free Agency).
Players Left: Ryan Benesch (F, Released by the Oshawa FireWolves), Jaxon Fridge (D, traded to the Saskatchewan Rush), Kyle Jackson (F, Released by the Oshawa FireWolves), Patrick Kaschalk (T, released by the Oshawa FireWolves), and Connor Kearnan (F, traded to the Saskatchewan Rush).
Note: Forward player is for F, transition player is for T, and defence player is for D.
2026-27 Oshawa FireWolves: A Lot of Off-Season Moves Made
Jeff Teat Is Coming to the Oshawa FireWolves
Jeff Teat is 29 and in his prime. It is unfortunate how the FireWolves got Teat, as it came with the folding of the Ottawa Black Bears NLL franchise.
One of Teat’s most unforgettable games came when he scored eight goals and added one assist against the Las Vegas Desert Dogs on April 12, 2025. The team won 13-10, with Teat scoring six of his eight goals in the second quarter.
READ MORE: Ottawa Black Bears Win in Spectacular Fashion at the CTC
FireWolves fans might remember Teat had one goal and four assists as the Black Bears came from behind to win in overtime at the Canadian Tire Centre (CTC).
Teat is a special player, as Oshawa FireWolves head coach Glenn Clark talked about what acquiring Teat means for the franchise, according to the FireWolves website:
“The opportunity to get a player of Jeff’s calibre is very special for our organization,” said Glenn Clark, General Manager and Head Coach of the Oshawa FireWolves. “We’re really excited to add Jeff to our core and have this group take the next step towards a championship.”
In his career, he has earned the 2022 NLL Rookie of the Year award. He also set the single-season rookie record in assists with 71 and the single-season record in points with 108. He also earned twice as well as the First team All-NLL (2023-24), three times the Second team All-NLL (2022, 2025-2026).
The presence of Teat and the development of some of their younger players make this season one to be excited about this year.
READ MORE: Oshawa FireWolves’ Dispersal Draft: Jeff Teat Joins the Team
The Development of Dante Kulas
Dante Kulas was the 38th pick in the Oshawa FireWolves draft (not counting the picks made when the team was in Albany). He has not played a game yet in the NLL. However, he is expected to play with the team this upcoming season, as he has signed a three-year deal with the FireWolves according to the Oshawa FireWolves website.
One of his most notable games was the Langley Thunder vs. Maple Ridge Burrards game. With the Langley Thunder, he scored four goals, including the sudden-death game-winner to secure a 9-8 victory.
FireWolves fans might be excited about Kulas’s mindset. This is what the 23-year-old said about the win, according to Gary Ahuja’s article for the Langley Thunder website:
“Just beat my guy. You have to think that you can beat everyone out there and just shoot the ball, make the goalie make saves, and he didn’t make it, so we won,” Kulas said of his mindset on the game-winning play.
He will be a player to watch and one that FireWolves fans should look forward to. However, Kulas and Teat are not the only forwards to watch. The FireWolves have also greatly improved their defence in the off-season.
Defence Has Improved
A priority for the Oshawa FireWolves this offseason was improving their defence. They were one of the teams that gave up the most goals in the league last season. They were giving up 15 goals each to the Saskatchewan Rush (January 17) and the Colorado Mammoth (January 24). They also gave up 16 goals against the Las Vegas Desert Dogs (January 31).
For example, in the dispersal draft, besides Teat, the other two players the FireWolves drafted are skilled defensively: Ron John and Kevin Brownell.
The most notable transaction the FireWolves might have made was trading their other dispersal draft pick, along with Jaxon Fridge and Connor Kearnen, to get Holden Garlent.
This is what the FireWolves said about Garlent, as mentioned in the Glenn Hendry of INsauga – Ontario Local News article, which should excite fans:
Some examples of Garlent’s defence include his block to force game three of the 2025 NLL Finals against the Buffalo Bandits and his performance in the 2025 NLL semifinal against the Halifax Thunderbirds. He also had an impressive defensive campaign in the 2025-26 NLL season, recovering 65 loose balls, 11 turnovers, and six blocked shots while contributing to 11 points in transition.
Alex Simmons Has Been Given More Responsibilities
Everyone knows how incredible Alex Simmons is on the floor. However, he has been given extra responsibility off the floor. First, he has become the next captain of the Oshawa FireWolves.
This is what the FireWolves head coach, Glenn Clark, said about giving Simmons this honour, according to the FireWolves website:
“Alex has demonstrated the ability to play at a high level, as well as model the intensity that our group wants to display to get us to the next level,” said Clark. “The players understand his commitment to winning and respect how he prepares for every game.”
READ MORE: Kurtz and Simmons Help the Oshawa FireWolves Win in Calgary
One example was Simmons’ play against the Calgary Roughnecks at the Scotiabank Saddledome. He scored one goal and added two assists in the second quarter, helping his team come back.
That is not the only responsibility Simmons was given. He has also been made the Director of the Junior FireWolves Training Academy and School Program. Simmons is excited about this opportunity, as he said, according to the FireWolves website:
“We have a great opportunity to make an impact in Durham Region, and I’m excited to help build those relationships with local families, schools, and the lacrosse community,” said Simmons. “I think there’s so much potential here, and I’m really looking forward to being a part of growing the game in an area that already has such a rich lacrosse history.”
They’ve held clinics all summer. They also have a Wednesday Fall/Winter Development Camp from October 7th to March 10th (except for December 30th) for U19, U15, and U12 age groups. They can train at the Children’s Arena at 155 Arena St, Oshawa, Ontario.
For more information on timings and pricing, one can refer to the link on the Junior FireWolves Training Academy website (source for the above as well).
READ MORE: 2025-26 Oshawa FireWolves Season: Fans Showed Up
Games Coming Up and Attendance
Players really enjoyed playing at the Tribute Communities Centre (TCC) last season and expect more of the same this upcoming season. This is what Simmons said about the support of the team after the game against the Calgary Roughnecks:
“The city has welcomed us with open arms, and they have great people, and they love the sport. They know the sport, so it wasn’t like teaching them anything. They know it, and they love it, and it’s been great.”
READ MORE: 2026 Oshawa FireWolves NLL Draft: Bowman and Lee Selected
Head coach Clark echoed this statement from the same game:
“The fan base has been great, the support has been great, the community has been great, the transition has been great.”
The two quotes above appear in the Calgary Roughnecks Get Revenge With a Road Win at the TCC article.
Six of the FireWolves’ eighteen games will be televised live on TSN. The first one is the season opener on November 27 at the TCC against the Saskatchewan Rush. That game will be at 7:30 pm ET (5:30 pm CT in Saskatoon).
Photo Credit: David Pickering – Pick’s Pics/NLL, of an Alex Simmons headshot, on February 14, 2026.
