Austin Shanks was an elite playmaker last National Lacrosse League season. He recorded a career-high 62 assists, which was the 12th-most assists in the NLL last year. How was he able to up his assist-game as much as he did? Was there anyone in particular that helped him to be as successful as he was?

Over the offseason, Shanks signed a two-year deal with the Saskatchewan Rush. Will Shanks be able to keep up those kind of assist numbers with his new club? Is there anyone in particular he feels like he’ll have a strong chemistry with?

Find out all these answers and more in this latest episode of TLMP. This is the last episode before the season starts, so make sure to catch up on all of the preseason episodes that have come out in the last month before this season starts. It’s going to be an incredible NLL season!

Welcome to another expert edition of The Lacrosse Matrix Podcast ahead of the 2024-25 NLL Season.

In the last episode, we spoke with four leading NLL experts (Jake Elliott, Brad Challoner, Tino Fera, and Cody Janzen. This week, I've brought in three more of the wisest NLL minds. We've got Teddy Jenner, Pat Gregoire, and Mitch Besile to go over some key talking points before this season gets rolling.

Now, sit back, relax, and get ready to take in a boatload of nuggets as you head deep into the matrix. By the end of this episode, I promise you'll be more prepared for this NLL season than you were before.

We are only a few weeks away from the start of the 2024-25 NLL Season. There is no better time to hear from the best analysts in the business about what to expect from your favorite National Lacrosse League players and teams. On this episode, I'm joined by the four wise men: Jake Elliott, Brad Challoner, Tino Fera, and Cody Janzen.

Alex Simmons was the star rookie last National Lacrosse League season - he earned Rookie of the Year honors after his tremendous season. He scored a bunch, tallied almost more points than any other rookie in NLL history, and took a ton of shots.

Alex and I discuss his rookie year, the confidence he got from his teammates and coaches, and his thoughts on this year's FireWolves club.

Dan Coates is going into his 12th National Lacrosse League season (4th with the Knighthawks). He is a talented player on and off the floor, and his discipline (especially during his time in Rochester) has been second to none. Since joining the Knighthawks, he has established himself as one of the few defenders in the league who barely racks up any penalty minutes. Listen to some of Dan's lessons and tips on how to be a top defender in the NLL without being sent to the penalty box.

The New York Riptide are in the midst of their hottest offensive streak in franchise history. Offensive Coach Jason Crosbie has played a big role in that. In this episode, I talk to him about his expectations for the Riptide offense for the remainder of this NLL season, and we also touch on his playing career.

Riley Hutchcraft has come a long way in his National Lacrosse League career. Finally, in his 6th season in the NLL, Hutchcraft is getting more opportunities in net than ever before. The circumstances behind that are not necessarily ideal for the team, but Hutchcraft is taking full advantage of every opportunity he's getting in net.

Mike Hasen has been a head coach in the NLL for over a decade and has only coached for Rochester. He's coached the old Knighthawks and now the new Knighthawks. He needs only one win to become the 6th head coach in NLL history to reach 100 head coaching wins. What does reaching that mark mean to him, and how has his previous success been helping them in the now?

The Albany FireWolves are off to a fantastic 2-0 start to the 2023-24 NLL Season. Marshall Powless has played a key role in that. Since he came to Albany in the middle of last season, the former 1st round pick has started to show the box lacrosse world what he's capable of.

Kyle Jackson is a family man, a high school lacrosse coach, and an NLL player. He took more than a year away from the pro box lacrosse game to focus on those first two pieces of his life. Now, he is back in the NLL and with a new team. Hear from Kyle about his journey back to the NLL and why he made the decision to come back.