CUFLA Alumni Set for NLL Finals Showdown

When the National Lacrosse League championship opens this weekend, CUFLA will be well represented. CUFLA standouts Jason Knox, Will MacLeod, and Dante Mancini are all part of the 2026 NLL Finals between the Halifax Thunderbirds and Toronto Rock. This Is another reminder of the growing connection between CUFLA and professional lacrosse.

For Knox and MacLeod, the matchup comes after dominant 2025 CUFLA seasons that saw both players earn major league honours. Mancini, meanwhile, remains part of Toronto’s goaltending group as the Rock chase a championship. The Finals spotlight also reinforces one of the unique realities of Canadian university lacrosse: CUFLA athletes can continue their university careers while also playing professionally in the NLL.

Jason Knox — Nipissing Lakers to Halifax Thunderbirds

Few players made a bigger impact on the 2025 CUFLA season than former Nipissing Laker Jason Knox. The Teachers College student exploded offensively in his first CUFLA season, recording 40 goals and 34 assists in 13 games while helping lead Nipissing to the Baggataway Cup final. Knox was named CUFLA Outstanding Attackman of the Year and earned All-Canadian honours following the season.

Knox was also named to the 2025 All-Baggataway Cup Team after helping Nipissing upset Queen’s and McGill on the way to the national final.

Now with the Halifax Thunderbirds, Knox enters championship weekend as one of the most recognizable recent CUFLA alumni competing at the professional level.

Will MacLeod — MVP to the NLL Finals

Halifax teammate Will MacLeod followed up a historic CUFLA season with a trip to the NLL Finals. The former Guelph Gryphons star was named the 2025 CUFLA Most Valuable Player after leading the league with 52 goals while adding 29 assists for the defending Baggataway Cup champions. MacLeod helped power Guelph to a near-perfect season and a national championship, earning All-Canadian honours along the way. Known for his left-handed shot and ability to score in bunches, MacLeod has continued his rise in the professional ranks with Halifax, where he now has the chance to compete for an NLL title.

Dante Mancini — Laurier Alum on the Rock Roster

Former Laurier Golden Hawks goaltender Dante Mancini is also part of the championship matchup as a member of the Toronto Rock organization. The Psychology graduate had a standout season between the pipes with Laurier, appearing in 11 games and producing a winning 6-5 record with an impressive 7.69 Goals Against Average. While Mancini is currently a depth goaltender for Toronto and is not expected to dress during the Finals, his presence on the roster continues the trend of CUFLA players finding opportunities at the NLL level.

Several other recent CUFLA alumni have also been drafted or signed by the Rock and the Thunderbirds, including Brock’s Colton Armitage (Toronto), Guelph’s Ethan Lee (Halifax), and University of Toronto's Scott Del Zotto (Toronto).

The CUFLA-to-Pro Pipeline Continues to Grow

Across the NLL, CUFLA alumni are increasingly earning roster spots, draft selections, and professional opportunities. The league’s ability to allow players to compete at the university level while also pursuing professional lacrosse creates a development path that is unique within Canadian university sport. For players looking to continue their education without stepping away from elite lacrosse, CUFLA has become an increasingly attractive route.

From Nipissing’s run to the Baggataway final to Guelph’s championship season, the 2025 CUFLA campaign showcased the level of talent currently playing university lacrosse in Canada.

This weekend, that talent will be on display at the highest level of box lacrosse.

Whether the NLL Cup ends up in Halifax or Toronto, CUFLA alumni will once again be part of the story.