The Albany FireWolves were a professional box lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) based in Albany, New York, from 2021 until the franchise relocated to Oshawa, Ontario, ahead of the 2025-26 season. The team’s visual identity, introduced in April 2021, was designed by Upside Collective, a local Albany firm specializing in branding and graphic design.[1]
Design and History
The FireWolves name and identity were unveiled on April 14, 2021, following the franchise’s relocation from Connecticut, where it had competed as the New England Black Wolves. The team solicited name submissions from fans, receiving over 2,000 suggestions. Three finalists were put to a fan poll, which drew more than 4,000 responses: Attack, Black Arrows, and FireWolves. Team owners and executives made the final selection.[1]
The original logo, as described in the team’s official announcement, featured a “unique mystical wolf emerging from fire with fierceness and strength.”[1] The wolf was depicted with bright red fur, piercing blue eyes, and the white initials “AFW” on its neck.[2]
Shortly after the initial reveal, the team changed its logo after hearing from Stony Brook University lawyers, who raised concerns about the original mark’s similarity to the Stony Brook Seawolves logo. The team chose not to fight the university over the matter and voluntarily adopted a new design.[3] A new version was presented to the public on July 2, 2021.[4]
The replacement emblem featured a snarling wolf head shown full-face, surrounded by flames, with the team name positioned below. The redesign was also handled by Upside Collective.[4]
When the franchise relocated to Oshawa in 2025, it retained the FireWolves nickname and unveiled a largely unchanged logo, with “OSHAWA” replacing “ALBANY” in the wordmark.[5]
Meaning and Symbolism
The FireWolves name was developed to pay tribute to the lacrosse teams that came before the franchise in Albany. Both the New England Black Wolves, the team that relocated to the Capital Region, and the old Albany Attack had wolves in their monikers. The name also incorporates the indigenous roots of the sport of lacrosse.[1]
Team President George Manias explained the reasoning behind the name: “On the field, we will be fierce, like a wolf and intimidate foes who come into our den. A planned fire, like a fireplace or fire pit, always encourages a gathering. Our games will be a gathering place for our fans to rally and support our team onto victory. We will be one with our community, like a PACK.”[1]
Typography and Design
The team’s official colors, as stated in the April 2021 announcement, were maroon red, fiery red, dark purple, and a grey accent.[1] The later July 2021 redesign introduced additional elements, including a beige or tan tone for the wolf’s head and a black background, with the wordmark and “LACROSSE CLUB” text rendered in the lighter tones.[4]
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