Omran Wahidy
Brayden Mayea didn’t overthink it.
And the result was simply stellar.
“I just caught it and saw the goalie jump across the crease,” he said. “I was like, ‘Alright, I’ll try this here.’ And then it worked.”
“I know the scouting report on the goalies,” he added, “but I always try to just, you know, shoot where the goalie isn’t, so to say, and it’s a tough play.”
Not so tough, though, that he didn’t run it back in his next game.
The Ontario product has been making waves in his second NLL season – and dropping a lot of jaws, OMG style. In back-to-back weeks, he has dazzled the lacrosse world posting a pair of highlight–reel, behind the back goals amidst a breakout season.
Another day, another Brayden Mayea masterclass 😮💨@SportsCenter #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/RD2E3ohLfD
— Calgary Roughnecks (@NLLRoughnecks) March 8, 2026
Through 12 games, the 24-year-old has already set a new career-high with 43 points (17G, 26A). He’s averaging 3.6 points per game, putting him on pace for about 65 points over the course of an 18-game season. A massive build on his 32-point rookie campaign.
For Mayea, the jump in production comes down to one simple factor – opportunity.
“I knew I was going to have a bigger role this year,” he said. “A lot of our veteran guys left last year or retired, so there were some big shoes to fill.”
Mayea is one of three Riggers who are having career-years or are on pace for it, with teammates Tanner Cook and Haiden Dickson poised to follow.
“I always knew I had the ability in me to take that next step,” he said. “Once the coaches told me I was going to have a bigger role and gave me that confidence, it made a huge difference. Once the opportunity presented itself, I was fired up and ready to go.”
He’s also benefitting from growing chemistry with his teammates on the offensive side of the floor.
“Playing with Tanner and Roddy (Riley Loewen) on the left side has been great,” Mayea said. “They’re both great players. A lot of those plays are just about chemistry. Tanner sets the pick, throws that behind-the-back pass and I’m just trying to finish the play.”
That chemistry is starting to show across the offence.
“Honestly, the whole offensive unit is starting to click now,” Mayea said. “Last game (14-7 win vs. Rochester) we put up our most goals this season, so it feels like everything is coming together.”
While the goals and assists stand out on the scoresheet, Mayea sits third on the team in loose balls with 64.
“Loose balls are huge,” he said. “They’re kind of the small, hidden plays. They’re not as obvious as the goals and assists, but they make a big difference.”
Winning those battles can lead to extra possessions and more chances to score, something the team has started to take advantage of in recent games.
For Mayea, though, the focus going forward isn’t just on personal numbers.
“I want to win a championship that’s number one,” he said. “Personally, I just want to keep getting better every year and help the team any way I can.”
