LAS VEGAS (Sept. 28, 2026) — The Las Vegas Desert Dogs have kicked off preparations for their fifth season in the National Lacrosse League. Over the past two weeks, the dispersal draft, free agency and the 2026 NLL Entry Draft have helped provide players the coaching staff will begin to shape into a championship level team, with its eyes set on the playoffs for the first time and the NLL Cup.
“For our team, it’s constantly building and getting better,” Desert Dogs General Manager Cody Moll said. “It’s knowing that we will stop at nothing until we all have rings on our fingers. We want to perform and produce a product on the floor that all of us, including our season ticket members, are proud of.”
To build a team worthy of hoisting the Cup in May, the Desert Dogs first needed to address the struggles they have faced in years past.
Defense and goaltending were pressing issues entering the offseason after Las Vegas allowed 229 goals in the 2025–26 season, the second most in the NLL. With lacrosse operations in Ottawa and Philadelphia unfortunately ending, the Desert Dogs had an opportunity to solidify their defensive zone by adding goaltender Nick Damude.
Damude will enter his seventh NLL season and first with the Desert Dogs after posting a career-high .810 save percentage in 2025 with the Wings. He has a career .790 save percentage and an 11.23 goals-against average. Damude also had a career-best game against the Desert Dogs at the end of last season, stopping 59 shots and posting a .920 save percentage. His performance helped Philadelphia pull off a win in its final visit to Las Vegas.
The Desert Dogs also added defensemen Mitchell Armstrong and Ryan Wagner, two proven NLL defenders, alongside top defensive prospect Michael White, whom they selected fourth overall in the NLL Entry Draft. Las Vegas went all in on protecting its net.
“He is going to be a huge addition, both to the team and in terms of his size,” Desert Dogs Head Coach Shawn Williams said with a laugh when discussing White. “His frame is 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, and he is an athlete. However, the person he is was one of the biggest factors in our decision to take him.”
White played defense for Queens University of Charlotte, where he earned All-Atlantic Sun Conference Second Team honors twice. Williams has coached White before during juniors and has played a major role in his box lacrosse development. These two will continue to grow together alongside defensive coordinator Curtis Hodgson.
On the other side of the floor, offense was a bright spot for Las Vegas last season, with a league-leading 219 goals scored in 2025–26. Offensive coordinator Brett Hickey bolstered that group in free agency with the signing of eight-year veteran and former Saskatchewan Rush forward Austin Shanks. The addition strengthens the right side of the offense, which was affected by injuries last season.
“I am really stoked for the addition of Shanks,” Hickey said. “It’s going to make for a really competitive camp and give guys a place to showcase what they’ve been working on during the offseason. This will make us a better team and make it harder for opposing defenses to stop us.”
Shanks has recorded 471 points (198 goals, 273 assists) in his NLL career, including 65 last season. He also brings playoff experience to a team that finished one game shy of the postseason last year. In his playoff game last season, Shanks recorded seven points with a hat trick and four assists, though his team fell 16–13 to the eventual NLL Cup champion Toronto Rock.
Hickey’s offense also added Koleton Marquis, an offensive standout from the University at Albany, in the second round of the 2026 NLL Entry Draft. Marquis transferred to Albany after two seasons at Johns Hopkins. He recorded 62 points in 35 games with the Great Danes, including 21 goals in his final season, becoming one of the team’s key goal scorers. His intelligence and creativity could fit well with the Desert Dogs’ offense.
“We can’t wait to put out a team that does nothing but put on a show for this historical season,” Moll said.
With Desert Dogs training camp approaching and the season opener just 68 days away on Dec. 5, Lax Is Back!
Interested in watching Desert Dogs lacrosse for 2026-27? Explore your ticket options below:
Full-season memberships: https://www.lasvegasdesertdogs.com/season-memberships/
Specialty ticket drops: https://info.lasvegasdesertdogs.com/ticket-drops-and-information-2026-27
Single-game tickets: Coming soon!
