What Is 2017 New England Black Wolves season

Overview

The 2017 New England Black Wolves season marked the franchise's third year in the National Lacrosse League (NLL), continuing its tenure as Connecticut's representative in professional indoor lacrosse. Competing in the Eastern Division, the team struggled to find consistent success, finishing with a losing record and missing postseason play for the second consecutive season.

Playing their home games at Mohegan Sun Arena, the Black Wolves aimed to build on prior campaigns but faced challenges in both offense and defense. Despite flashes of strong individual performances, the team lacked the cohesion needed to secure a playoff berth in a competitive division.

• Record: The team finished the 2017 regular season with a 6–10 win-loss record, placing them fourth in the Eastern Division.
• Head Coach: Mike Poullard remained head coach, leading the team for the third straight season with an emphasis on defensive development.
• Home Venue: All home games were held at Mohegan Sun Arena, a 10,000-seat venue in Uncasville, Connecticut, known for its energetic atmosphere.
• Division Standing: The Black Wolves finished behind the Saskatchewan Rush, Georgia Swarm, and Toronto Rock in the Eastern Division standings.
• Playoff Miss: With only six wins, the team failed to qualify for the NLL playoffs, continuing a postseason drought since joining the league.

How It Works

The National Lacrosse League operates on a winter indoor schedule, with teams playing a 16-game regular season leading to a four-team playoff format. The 2017 Black Wolves season followed this structure, competing in a divisional format that determined postseason eligibility.

• Regular Season: The NLL regular season ran from January to April, with each team playing 16 games—eight at home and eight away.
• Scoring System: Each game uses a box lacrosse format with four 15-minute quarters, and teams score by shooting a lacrosse ball into the opponent’s net.
• Divisional Play: The Black Wolves were part of the Eastern Division, which included teams like the Toronto Rock and Georgia Swarm.
• Player Roster: The 2017 roster featured 22 active players, including goaltender Nick Damore and captain Chet Koneczny.
• Game Pace: Games are fast-paced with frequent substitutions, and the average attendance at Black Wolves games was around 6,200 fans.
• Season Timeline: The 2017 season began on January 7 and concluded for the Black Wolves on April 22, with no postseason berth secured.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2017 Black Wolves stacked up against other Eastern Division teams:

The Black Wolves’ 6–10 record placed them ahead of only the Philadelphia Wings in the division. While they outperformed the Wings, they were significantly behind the top three teams in wins and playoff qualification. The gap highlighted ongoing struggles in consistency and depth compared to league leaders.

Why It Matters

The 2017 season was a pivotal point for the franchise as it sought to establish a competitive identity in the NLL. Despite fan support and community engagement, the lack of playoff success raised questions about long-term sustainability and roster development.

• Attendance: Average attendance of 6,200 showed strong regional support despite the team’s losing record.
• Youth Engagement: The Black Wolves hosted multiple youth clinics and school outreach programs to grow lacrosse in New England.
• Player Development: Rookie defender Tom Johnson played all 16 games, indicating a focus on building through younger talent.
• Goaltending: Nick Damore started 14 games, posting a 13.78 goals-against average, reflecting defensive struggles.
• Front Office: General manager Rich Lisk continued efforts to strengthen the team through trades and draft picks.
• Future Outlook: The 2017 season underscored the need for improved offensive output and defensive discipline in future campaigns.

While the 2017 season did not yield playoff success, it contributed to the broader narrative of building a lacrosse presence in a non-traditional market. The Black Wolves continued to serve as a developmental platform for players and a source of entertainment for Connecticut sports fans.