Oshawa Fire Wolves in their home opener vs Toronto Rock. (Team supplied image)
With a record of 2-9, the team may be struggling, but the excitement surrounding the Oshawa Fire Wolves professional lacrosse team has been nothing short of amazing.
Fans have filled the Tribute Communities Centre in downtown Oshawa for all five of the team’s home games so far, with three sellouts, one near sellout, and an average attendance of 5,630 – a nice increase from last season’s average of 5,013 in Albany, New York.
Restaurants and bars in the downtown area have seen plenty of action and the streets have been bustling before games as enthusiastic lacrosse fans welcomed the franchise’s move from Albany this summer.
The Oshawa and Durham Region area has always had a strong lacrosse tradition – five players on the current roster hail from the area, including Dyson Williams, who was named rookie of the year last season, along with fan favorites Dawson Theede and Emerson Clark – but for Steven Wizniuk, the communications director for the team, community support has surpassed his expectations.
“The Durham Region community has exceeded expectations in their support of the Fire Wolves and their passion for lacrosse. At each of our home games at the Tribute Centre, the fans have created an incredible atmosphere that is quickly becoming one of the best in the National Lacrosse League. Everywhere you go in Oshawa and surrounding cities it feels like everyone is talking about the Fire Wolves.”
“We’re so excited to see the fanbase continue to grow.”
Wizniuk and his team have been busy promoting both their brand and social media presence while organizing theme nights throughout this season; last week featured light sabers and Darth Vader masks for Star Wars night.
Oshawa Fire Wolves mascot Alphie
Najjah Calibur acts as a team ambassador to energize fans during games; he mentioned that he’s pleasantly surprised by how lively it’s been at Tribute Centre during Fire Wolves games.
“For a brand-new team, the support had been electric,” he said. “In terms of support, you can’t ask for anything better.”
“The energy has been incredible.”
Oshawa Councillor Tito-Dante Marimpietri has attended several Fire Wolves games this season; he praised how vibrant crowd energy was during their home opener against Toronto (a win over their GTA rivals), noting how fans marched through snow to reach arena while showcasing passion inside Tribute Centre as well-calling it “absolute buzzing” as they welcomed professional box lacrosse into town.
“The energy was something truly special to see, hear, and feel,” he said. “Last night’s game was an incredible contest; we’re just getting started.”
His council colleague Rik Kerr echoed those sentiments referring to game as “professional lacrosse at its best.”
“More please!”
This franchise switch meant coming back home for Williams who celebrated his 26th birthday on Valentine’s Day during their game against San Diego. Born locally in Oshawa-and son to lacrosse legend (and current Las Vegas coach) Shawn Williams-Dyson expressed that excitement shown by fans at home games along with within community felt really “special.”
“The energy these fans have brought has been incredible,” he shared prior to shootaround ahead San Diego matchup., adding how knowledgeable local supporters are about game itself saying: “I know it has only been four games but this has been very special.”
Emerson Clark
The return home holds even greater significance for Clark who previously excelled playing junior hockey with Whitby Warriors alongside junior lacrosse teams such as Oshawa Generals before pursuing seven years professionally which included stints alongside Toronto Marlies within American Hockey League – highlighted by memorable exhibition contest featuring fight against Tyler Randall from Buffalo Sabres.
Taking part in fights is something Clark enjoys doing across both sports-from playing key roles winning Minto Cups back-to-back between 2011 &2013 with Warriors-to gathering up total minutes worth penalties totaling 1,402 paired alongside scoring tallying up around 87 goals outta’361 contests played professionally!
Retiring once pandemic hit initially brought closure until coaxed back two years later after being called by Mr. Williams himself asking him come play again-which eventually led fulfilling opportunity suited back-up role helping Hometown Team out when they needed him most!
“After COVID I knew it was time – I had three kids by then , so now focusing next chapter became priority.” said Clark who’s now running logistics company along training younger players hockey school!. ”I wasn’t expecting anything more but when Mr. Williams called me asking if I wanted join squad once again ; how could I say no?”
That decision turned fruitful yet familiar ground since feeling quite enjoyable returning rink hearing cheers once again!“It’s worked out very well,” added Clark. ”Here doing job gladfans enjoyed every moment!”
Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter along trio players including Dyson Williams(left)INsauga’s Editorial Standards & Policies
Last30Days:63014Votes
All Time :1230243Votes
3104 VOTES
Should bike lanes stay or be removed?
Subscribe INsauga ’sdailyemailnewsletterforachancewin$100Amazon giftcard.
Wizniuk and his team have been busy promoting both their brand and social media presence while organizing theme nights throughout this season; last week featured light sabers and Darth Vader masks for Star Wars night.
Oshawa Fire Wolves mascot Alphie
Najjah Calibur acts as a team ambassador to energize fans during games; he mentioned that he’s pleasantly surprised by how lively it’s been at Tribute Centre during Fire Wolves games.
“For a brand-new team, the support had been electric,” he said. “In terms of support, you can’t ask for anything better.”
“The energy has been incredible.”
Oshawa Councillor Tito-Dante Marimpietri has attended several Fire Wolves games this season; he praised how vibrant crowd energy was during their home opener against Toronto (a win over their GTA rivals), noting how fans marched through snow to reach arena while showcasing passion inside Tribute Centre as well-calling it “absolute buzzing” as they welcomed professional box lacrosse into town.
“The energy was something truly special to see, hear, and feel,” he said. “Last night’s game was an incredible contest; we’re just getting started.”
His council colleague Rik Kerr echoed those sentiments referring to game as “professional lacrosse at its best.”
“More please!”
This franchise switch meant coming back home for Williams who celebrated his 26th birthday on Valentine’s Day during their game against San Diego. Born locally in Oshawa-and son to lacrosse legend (and current Las Vegas coach) Shawn Williams-Dyson expressed that excitement shown by fans at home games along with within community felt really “special.”
“The energy these fans have brought has been incredible,” he shared prior to shootaround ahead San Diego matchup., adding how knowledgeable local supporters are about game itself saying: “I know it has only been four games but this has been very special.”
Emerson Clark
The return home holds even greater significance for Clark who previously excelled playing junior hockey with Whitby Warriors alongside junior lacrosse teams such as Oshawa Generals before pursuing seven years professionally which included stints alongside Toronto Marlies within American Hockey League – highlighted by memorable exhibition contest featuring fight against Tyler Randall from Buffalo Sabres.
Taking part in fights is something Clark enjoys doing across both sports-from playing key roles winning Minto Cups back-to-back between 2011 &2013 with Warriors-to gathering up total minutes worth penalties totaling 1,402 paired alongside scoring tallying up around 87 goals outta’361 contests played professionally!
Retiring once pandemic hit initially brought closure until coaxed back two years later after being called by Mr. Williams himself asking him come play again-which eventually led fulfilling opportunity suited back-up role helping Hometown Team out when they needed him most!
“After COVID I knew it was time – I had three kids by then , so now focusing next chapter became priority.” said Clark who’s now running logistics company along training younger players hockey school!. ”I wasn’t expecting anything more but when Mr. Williams called me asking if I wanted join squad once again ; how could I say no?”
That decision turned fruitful yet familiar ground since feeling quite enjoyable returning rink hearing cheers once again!“It’s worked out very well,” added Clark. ”Here doing job gladfans enjoyed every moment!”
Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter along trio players including Dyson Williams(left)INsauga’s Editorial Standards & Policies
Last30Days:63014Votes
All Time :1230243Votes
3104 VOTES
