Ottawa Native Liam Aston Scores in NLL Debut
Published on February 15, 2026 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Ottawa Black Bears News Release
Liam Aston of the Ottawa Black Bears
(Ottawa Black Bears, Credit: Jonathan Tenca)
ROCHESTER - Black Bears top prospect Liam Aston made his NLL debut on Saturday night in Rochester, scoring a goal and adding an assist in a 10-8 win over the Knighthawks.
Aston grew up playing minor lacrosse in Ottawa and later played Jr. B for the Nepean Knights from 2022-2025. He was called up to the Jr. A Toronto Beaches last summer and finished seventh in OJLL scoring with 41 goals and 75 assists for 116 points.
The 21-year-old also played field lacrosse while studying at Guelph University, competing in CUFLA. Along with Black Bears teammate Nicholas Volkov, he won the Baggataway Cup in early November - while the two were also taking part in Black Bears training camp. Aston was later named CUFLA's Outstanding Graduating Player.
The homegrown forward was selected with the 33rd overall pick in the 2025 NLL Draft in September. "Once I found out where I was picked to, I kind of didn't really care anymore [about where in the draft it was]," said Aston during training camp.
"One, it's really cool being from Ottawa, and two, there's a lot of teammates here that I have connections with, either coaching me or playing with me before. So, once it kind of hit me, I was really happy with the situation."
Aston and the Black Bears will have their second bye week of the season next weekend, but are back in action on Saturday, Feb. 28, when they welcome their provincial rivals, the Oshawa FireWolves, to Canadian Tire Centre.
"I still am a big Sens fan, so it's cool just to be in this arena," said Aston about Canadian Tire Centre during training camp. "Hopefully I'll be able to play in this arena I grew up watching games in, it's pretty cool."
Under new head coach and general manager Dan MacRae, the Ottawa Black Bears hold a 6-5 record after the win. Last year, the Black Bears missed the NLL playoffs by just a single win, finishing 8-10 on the season. There are just three home games and seven games in total remaining on their schedule.
Images from this story
 Liam Aston of the Ottawa Black Bears reacts after scoring (Jonathan Tenca) |
 Liam Aston of the Ottawa Black Bears receives congratulations after scoring (Jonathan Tenca) |
 Liam Aston of the Ottawa Black Bears (Jonathan Tenca) |
National Lacrosse League Stories from February 15, 2026
- Warriors Push NLL's Best to the Brink, Adam Charalambides Nets Hat Trick in OT Heartbreaker - Vancouver Warriors
- Ottawa Native Liam Aston Scores in NLL Debut - Ottawa Black Bears
- Thunderbirds' Comeback Falls Short against Bandits - Halifax Thunderbirds
- Rock Suffer 16-8 Loss to Colorado - Toronto Rock
- Mammoth Defat Toronto Rock, 16-8, Set New Franchise Win Streak Record with Seventh-Straight Victory - Colorado Mammoth
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