Vancouver Warriors: 2024-25 Season Preview
11/27/2024 01:44 PM
Vancouver Warriors: 2024-25 Season Preview
The Vancouver Warriors enter the 2024-2025 season hell-bent on establishing their presence as a force in the NLL. An 8-10 record a season ago saw them barely miss out on the playoffs meaning they have much to prove this year. On offense, the Vancouver attack was highly reliant on Keegan Bal, who tallied 105 points, including 49 goals, proving he was capable of leading the attack. The offense was helped out by Adam Charalambides with 98 points and Ryan Martel with 73 points who consistently gave good support However the season was filled with overall inconsistencies at the most vital times.
The Vancouver Warriors hope a number of significant offseason moves can cure their ills, bringing in Payton Cormier, Jeff Cornwall, and Ryan Sheridan to add depth and versatility to the roster. These acquisitions aim to help both ends of the floor and strengthen Vancouver’s transition game, which was a big weak spot last season. Still, the Warriors also moved out Kyle Killen, one of their more important assets, and his absence is going to be felt a lot in the Warriors’ offensive rotations. As Kevin Crowley noted, the Warriors have to play with an all-or-nothing mentality if they want to maximize their potential and compete with the league’s top teams.
The complete schedule for 2024-2025 is here, with a lot of spicy matchups that the Vancouver Warriors can make noise in. Opening night pits Vancouver against the Colorado Mammoth on November 29th, setting both teams up early in the season. On December 13th, the Warriors host the Rochester Knighthawks on their home opener, trying to make a strong impression in front of their own fans. Other big matches include the “Battle of the Pacific” against the San Diego Seals on January 10th, showcasing a rivalry between two growing Western teams, while Vancouver’s regular season wraps up with a Fan Appreciation Night game against the Philadelphia Wings on April 19th – a game that may very well have playoff implications.
The Warriors' success this season will hinge on their ability to maintain consistency and capitalize on their strengths. Keegan Bal leads the spearhead of their offense, though he has evolved his scoring prowess with much-improved playmaking ability continuing to be a very dynamic threat. Complementing that core will be new faces Cormier and Sheridan, who bring new life into the team. Jeff Cornwall will also feature on the defensive line and bring much-needed experience to hold down the backline. Goaltender Aden Walsh will also be very important as Vancouver looks for him to raise his game and bring stability between the pipes.
With these strengths, Vancouver still has some areas in which they may be put to the test. Defensive lapses and turnovers hurt the Warriors a year ago, sometimes leaving them at the mercy of their opponents in tight games. These are going to take a buy-in to discipline and communication from everyone. The loss of Killen will also require some younger players and newcomers to pick up the slack in an attempt to score and provide the secondary support to Bal and Charalambides.
The 2024-2025 season ushers in a new dawn in which the Vancouver Warriors can prove they belong among the league’s elite. The Warriors have added pieces to an already motivated roster, hoping to be one of those teams that will make the playoffs and thrill their fans all season long. Their journey to redefine their identity in hopes of competing for postseason glory starts on opening night.
