Roughnecks Camp Roundup: New Faces Compete as Calgary Prepares for Exhibition Tests

Photo: Google / Roughnecks

November 9, 20263 min read

Calgary opened preparations for the 2026-27 NLL season on October 30, announcing a 36-player camp roster featuring 12 forwards, 21 defenders and three goaltenders. The opening weekend included medical and fitness evaluations and on-floor sessions at the Calgary Soccer Centre.

First-round additions headline the newcomers

Joey Spallina and Chad Palumbo give Calgary two intriguing additions up front. Selected fifth and seventh overall in the 2026 NLL Entry Draft, respectively, they join an offensive group that includes Tanner Cook, Tyler Pace, Haiden Dickson, Brayden Mayea and Noah Manning.

Cook enters the season following a 101-point campaign that included a league-leading 49 goals. Pace also surpassed 100 points, while Mayea contributed 31 goals and 68 points. Those returning producers give Calgary an established offensive foundation as its newcomers compete for opportunities.

On defence, fellow first-round selection Zach Moen is another rookie to follow. The Calgary product was selected 14th overall, and the Roughnecks published a post-opening-weekend interview with him on November 2. The club also released an interview with general manager Mike Board following that first weekend.

Defensive changes give camp another layer

Calgary’s offseason additions extend well beyond its entry draft class.

Ben Kromer, Nicholas Volkov and Cole Begley arrived through September’s NLL Dispersal Draft, while Jerrett Smith and Ronin Pusch were added through free agency. Their inclusion gives Calgary several new options alongside returning defenders such as captain Eli Salama, Harrison Matsuoka and Liam LeClair.

There is also a familiar name for Alberta lacrosse followers behind the bench. John Lintz is listed as an assistant coach alongside Shawn Cable on Sanderson’s staff. The four-time NLL champion brings experience that includes guiding the Edmonton Miners Junior A team to the 2022 Minto Cup final. His background makes him a particularly interesting figure as Calgary evaluates its developing players.

Exhibition games will provide the next answers

Calgary named Aden Walsh, Colby Bowman and Thomas Wood as its three camp goaltenders. Their evaluations, along with the competition throughout the roster, will continue as the Roughnecks move toward game action.

The team is scheduled to face the Saskatchewan Rush in Moose Jaw on November 14 before meeting the Vancouver Warriors at the Langley Events Centre on November 21. Those matchups will provide a clearer view of how Calgary’s offseason additions fit together against NLL opposition.

The regular season begins December 4 in Halifax. Calgary’s home opener follows December 19 against the Colorado Mammoth at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

The Calgary Roughnecks have their opening training camp weekend behind them, with exhibition games against Saskatchewan and Vancouver next on the calendar.

With only two exhibition games scheduled, head coach Josh Sanderson made clear before camp that players would have limited time to establish themselves.

“I expect this training camp to be as competitive as any I’ve ever been to,” Sanderson said in the club’s camp preview.