PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers men's lacrosse will be represented with four alumni in the indoor pro lacrosse league as the National Lacrosse League (NLL) starts play on Thanksgiving weekend. RU has alumn Adam Charalambides with the Vancouver Warriors, Joe Nardella with the Albany Firewolves, Connor Kirst with the Las Vegas Desert Dogs and Brian Cameron with the Toronto Rock.

Charalambides excelled int the NLL last season, scoring 37 goals and adding 61 assists for 98 points, his best season of his career. Charalambides led the Warriors in assists and was second in goals and points. He also collected 84 loose balls, fifth on the team. In three seasons with the Warriors, Charalambides has scored 72 goals and added 132 assists in 53 games. Charalambides helped Vancouver to 8 wins, just missing out on a playoff spot on tiebreakers.  He was 14^th in the league in points and 18^th in goals scored.

While at Rutgers, the Georgetown, Ontario native scored 149 goals (second all-time at RU) and had 201 points (fifth at RU). The 2016 Big Ten Freshman of the Year was a two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection and an All-American in 2021.

Nardella, recently ranked as one of the league's top faceoff men, won 68% of his faceoffs for the club last season, fourth in the league. He won 311 out of 458 draws. In the 18 regular season games, he added two goals and three assists with 167 loose balls (fifth in the league) and 16 caused turnovers. The Cazenovia, N.Y. native helped Albany win 11 games and make a run to the league championship game.

While at Rutgers, Nardella was a Third Team All-American, and the Big Ten Specialist of the Year in 2015. He was a three-time All-Conference selection, finishing his career as a First Team All-Big Ten pick in the first year of the Big Ten. The Cazenovia, N.Y. native played in 59 games at RU, scoring 13 goals with 26 assists, and was 760-of-1222 on faceoffs for a 62.2% winning percentage, picking up 440 ground balls.

Kirst was recently named a team captain for the Desert Dogs. He has played 54 games across three seasons, amassing 24 goals, 22 assists, and 46 points, excelling as a two-way player with 331 loose balls and 66 caused turnovers in his career. 

"Connor is everything you want in a captain," said Las Vegas Head Coach and General Manager Shawn Williams. "He sets the tone for our team with his relentless drive, discipline, and unwavering commitment to success. Connor not only leads by example on the floor but also has an incredible ability to elevate those around him."

The Bernardsville, N.J. native had a huge impact for RU in his 2021 season 'On the Banks', helping Rutgers return to the NCAA Tournament and advance to the Elite Eight. He was second on that team with 37 goals and 53 points, adding 16 assists, and was named a Third Team All-American, First Team All-Big Ten and Scholar All-American.

Cameron was originally drafted by the Rock with the 36^th overall selection of the 2022 Collegiate Draft. Cameron made team's active roster ahead of this season as he looks to make his professional lacrosse debut.

Cameron played in two seasons at Rutgers. Across 29 games in 2022 and 2023, Cameron scored 60 goals with 19 assists for 79 points. The Bedford, N.H. native posted 34 goals in 2022 for RU's Final Four squad. He was recently named the head men's lacrosse coach for his high school alma matter, Bishop Guertin in New Hampshire.

Rutgers also has other players recently with clubs that could see action for clubs, but did not make Opening Weekend active rosters. Shane Knobloch and Brandon Hund were each recent draft picks of the Philadelphia Wings. Jack Stahanczyk was with the Desert Dogs in the offseason, and Colin Kirst also spent time with Vegas in 2023 before being placed on the injured list.

The NLL season begins this Friday night, with Charalambides' Warriors and Cameron's Rock in action. Las Vegas (Kirst) and Albany (Nardella) begin their campaigns with games Saturday night.