Buffalo Bandits

Last updated
Buffalo Bandits
Buffalo Bandits logo.svg
Sport Box lacrosse
Founded1992
League National Lacrosse League
ConferenceEastern
Location Buffalo, New York
Arena KeyBank Center
ColorsOrange, Purple, Black, White
    
Owner Terry Pegula
Head coach John Tavares
General manager Steve Dietrich
League titles6 (1992, 1993, 1996, 2008, 2023, 2024)
Conference titles2 (2022, 2023)
Division titles8 (1993, 1994, 1996, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2016, 2019)
Local media WNLO, WWKB, WGR
Retired numbers4 (11, 16, 34, 43)
Website bandits.com

The Buffalo Bandits are a professional box lacrosse team of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). They play at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. The Bandits played in the Major Indoor Lacrosse League from 1992 to 1997, then in its successor the NLL since 1998.

Contents

The Bandits are owned by Hockey Western New York LLC, led by Terry Pegula who also owns the Rochester Americans, Buffalo Sabres and the Buffalo Bills.

History

The Colorado Mammoth visit the Buffalo Bandits in Game 3 of the 2022 NLL Cup Finals 2022 National Lacrosse League Cup Game 3 Colorado at Buffalo.jpg
The Colorado Mammoth visit the Buffalo Bandits in Game 3 of the 2022 NLL Cup Finals

The Bandits played their first season in 1992. They played home games at Buffalo Memorial Auditorium sharing with the Buffalo Sabres until its closure in 1996.

The Bandits became the first expansion franchise in MILL/NLL history to win a championship in its first season. [1] The Bandits repeated as champions in their second season, compiling the league's only perfect season to date that year, lost the championship game their third season and captured their third Championship in 1996, their fifth season. It was not until 1999, their eighth season, that the Bandits did not make the playoffs.

After their 1996 championship-winning season, the Bandits returned to the NLL Championship game on three separate occasions (1997, 2004, 2006) only to lose each time, including twice at home. It would not be until 2008 that the Bandits would win their elusive fourth championship, a 14–13 triumph over Portland. The Bandits would lose the finals three more times before securing their fifth championship in 2023. The Bandits won their fifth title against the Colorado Mammoth winning the third and final game of the three game series 13–4. [2] The following year, the Bandits repeated as champions, winning their sixth title in a sweep of the Albany FireWolves.

As of 2018, Buffalo is the longest tenured team in the NLL, in terms of continuous years in their home city, at 27 seasons. [3]

Awards and honors

During the 2009 season, Mark Steenhuis set two league records for most assists (13) and points (17) in a single game. He was also selected to his fifth all-star game, second consecutive as a starter. MarkSteenhuis.JPG
During the 2009 season, Mark Steenhuis set two league records for most assists (13) and points (17) in a single game. He was also selected to his fifth all-star game, second consecutive as a starter.
YearPlayerAward
1992 Derek Keenan Rookie of the Year
John Tavares Championship Game MVP
1993 John TavaresChampionship Game MVP
1994 John Tavares Most Valuable Player
1996 Pat O'Toole Championship Game MVP
2000 John TavaresMost Valuable Player
2001 John TavaresMost Valuable Player
2003 Darris Kilgour Coach of the Year
Kurt Silcott GM of the Year
2005 Steve Dietrich Goaltender of the Year [4]
2006 Steve DietrichGoaltender of the Year [5]
Most Valuable Player [6]
2007 Dave Zygaj Executive of the Year [7]
2008 Mark Steenhuis Transition Player of the Year [8]
Champion's Cup MVP
2009 Billy Dee Smith Defenesive Player of the Year
Ken MontourGoaltender of the Year
2016 Steve DietrichGM of the Year
Dhane Smith Most Valuable Player
2018 Craig England Teammate of the Year
2019 Matt Vinc Goaltender of the Year
John Tavares/Rich Kilgour Coach of the Year
Steve DietrichGM of the Year
2022 Matt Vinc Goaltender of the Year
Steve DietrichGM of the Year
Dhane SmithMost Valuable Player
2023 Dhane Smith NLL Finals MVP [9]
2024 Josh ByrneOffensive Player of the Year [10]
Most Valuable Player [11]
NLL Finals MVP

NLL Hall of Fame members

NLL records

Single-game record holders

  • Most assists in a single game – Mark Steenhuis (13 assists, February 14, 2009)
  • Most points in a single game – Mark Steenhuis (17 points, February 14, 2009)

Season record holders

  • Most points in a single season – Dhane Smith (137 points, 2016)
  • Most goals in a single season – Dhane Smith (72 goals, 2016)
  • Most assists in a single season – Dhane Smith (101 assists, 2024)

All-time record holders

  • Most goals in a career – John Tavares (724 goals, 1991–2015)
  • Most assists in a career – John Tavares (823 assists, 1991–2015)
  • Most points in a career – John Tavares (1,547 points, 1991–2015)
  • Most saves in a career – Matt Vinc (8,299 saves 2005–Present)
  • Most wins in a career – Matt Vinc (119 wins 2005–Present)
  • Most minutes played – Matt Vinc (12,627:54 2005–Present) [12]

NLL All-Star Game

* – voted as starter

Current roster

Buffalo Bandits roster
Active (21-man) rosterInactive rosterCoaches
Goaltenders
Defensemen
Forwards
Transition
Practice Squad
Injured Reserve
Holdout
Protected list
Unable to play
Head Coach

John Tavares

Legend
  • * Suspended list
  • (C) Captain
  • (A) Alternate captain

Roster updated 2024-5-7
NLL Transactions

All-time record

SeasonDivision/Conference [lower-alpha 1] W–LFinishHomeRoadGFGACoachPlayoffs
1992 National5–32nd2–23–1161125Bob McCready / Les BartleyChampions
1993 National8–01st4–04–0143108Les BartleyChampions
1994 National6–21st3–13–112199Les BartleyLost final
1995 3–54th2–21–3109108Les BartleyLost semi-final
1996 8–21st3–25–0173127Les BartleyChampions
1997 6–43rd3–23–2158153Les BartleyLost final
1998 6–64th4–22–4166171Les WakelingLost semi-final
1999 4–86th1–53–3158177Les WakelingDid not qualify
2000 8–42nd5–13–3202194Ted SawickiLost semi-final
2001 8–65th4–34–3248218Ted SawickiDid not qualify
2002 Central8–84th4–44–4210215Ted Sawicki / Frank NeilsonDid not qualify
2003 Central12–42nd8–04–4231188Darris KilgourLost division final
2004 Eastern8–83rd4–44–4205198Darris KilgourLost final
2005 Eastern11–52nd5–36–2217183Darris KilgourLost division semi-final
2006 Eastern11–51st6–25–3193167Darris KilgourLost final
2007 Eastern10–62nd6–24–4207188Darris KilgourLost division final
2008 Eastern10–61st7–23–4203174Darris KilgourChampions
2009 Eastern10–62nd5–35–3223170Darris KilgourLost division final
2010 Eastern8–83rd4–44–4169170Darris KilgourLost division semi-final
2011 Eastern10–61st4–46–2169159Darris KilgourLost division final
2012 Eastern7–94th4–43–5198204Darris KilgourLost division semi-final
2013 Eastern6–104th2–64–4171211Darris KilgourDid not qualify
2014 Eastern8–103rd6–32–7190200Troy CordingleyLost division final
2015 Eastern11–73rd7–24–5236208Troy CordingleyLost division semi-final
2016 Eastern13–51st8–15–4251214Troy CordingleyLost Finals
2017 Eastern6–125th3–63–6226251Troy CordingleyDid not qualify
2018 Eastern8–105th4–54–5232240Troy CordingleyDid not qualify
2019 Eastern14–41st7–27–2244186John Tavares, Rich KilgourLost Finals
2020 North7–4T-2nd4–23–2130118John TavaresNo playoffs held
2021EasternSeason cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2022 Eastern14–41st7–27–2247185John TavaresLost Finals
2023 Eastern14–41st7–27–2215191John TavaresChampions
2024 Unified11–74th6–35–4237212John TavaresChampions
Total31 seasons279–188142–84123–1006,0285,521
Playoff Totals24 Appearances35–2427–98–157616816 Championships

All-time team-by-team records

(active NLL franchises only)

  Home Road Overall
TeamGPWLPCTGPWLPCTGPWLPCT
Calgary Roughnecks 321.667844.5001165.545
Colorado Mammoth 954.555514.2001468.428
as Washington Power 211.5002201.000431.750
as Pittsburgh CrosseFire 000—101.000101.000
as Baltimore Thunder 862.750541.80013103.769
Saskatchewan Rush 101.0001101.000211.500
as Edmonton Rush 211.500413.250624.333
Georgia Swarm 303.000321.667624.333
as Minnesota Swarm 14122.8571174.63625196.760
New England Black Wolves 532.600523.4001055.500
as Philadelphia Wings 271512.555241113.458512625.509
Rochester Knighthawks 291514.517331122.333622636.419
Toronto Rock 271215.444241113.440512328.451
as Ontario Raiders 1101.000101.000211.500
Vancouver Stealth 3301.000431.750761.857
as Washington Stealth 202.000321.667523.400
as San Jose Stealth 1101.0001101.0002201.000
as Albany Attack 431.750431.750862.750
Total1418061.5671396673.475280146134.521

Playoff results

SeasonGameVisitingHome
1992 Division Semifinal Boston Blazers 16Buffalo Bandits 22
Division FinalBuffalo Bandits 19 Detroit Turbos 16
ChampionshipBuffalo Bandits 11 Philadelphia Wings 10 (OT)
1993 Division FinalBoston Blazers 10Buffalo Bandits 12
ChampionshipPhiladelphia Wings 12Buffalo Bandits 13
1994 Division FinalDetroit Turbos 10Buffalo Bandits 16
ChampionshipPhiladelphia Wings 26Buffalo Bandits 15
1995 SemifinalsPhiladelphia Wings 19Buffalo Bandits 16
1996 Semifinals Rochester Knighthawks 10Buffalo Bandits 18
ChampionshipPhiladelphia Wings 10Buffalo Bandits 15
1997 Semifinals New York Saints 10Buffalo Bandits 19
ChampionshipRochester Knighthawks 15Buffalo Bandits 12
1998 SemifinalsBuffalo Bandits 12Philadelphia Wings 17
2000 SemifinalsRochester Knighthawks 15Buffalo Bandits 11
2003 Quarterfinals Calgary Roughnecks 9Buffalo Bandits 16
SemifinalsBuffalo Bandits 13Rochester Knighthawks 16
2004 Division SemifinalBuffalo Bandits 13Rochester Knighthawks 9
Division FinalBuffalo Bandits 19 Toronto Rock 10
ChampionshipBuffalo Bandits 11Calgary Roughnecks 14
2005 Division SemifinalRochester Knighthawks 17Buffalo Bandits 16
2006 Division SemifinalBuffalo Bandits 11 Minnesota Swarm 10
Division FinalBuffalo Bandits 15Rochester Knighthawks 10
Championship Colorado Mammoth 16Buffalo Bandits 9
2007 Division SemifinalMinnesota Swarm 8Buffalo Bandits 14
Division FinalBuffalo Bandits 13Rochester Knighthawks 14 (OT)
2008 Division SemifinalPhiladelphia Wings 12Buffalo Bandits 14
Division Final New York Titans 12Buffalo Bandits 19
Championship Portland LumberJax 13Buffalo Bandits 14
2009 Division Semifinal Boston Blazers 8Buffalo Bandits 11
Division FinalBuffalo Bandits 3New York Titans 9
2010 Division SemifinalBuffalo Bandits 11Toronto Rock 13
2011 Division SemifinalBoston Blazers 10Buffalo Bandits 11
Division FinalBuffalo Bandits 11Toronto Rock 12
2012 Division SemifinalBuffalo Bandits 6Toronto Rock 7
2014 Division SemifinalBuffalo Bandits 15Toronto Rock 13
Division Final 1Rochester Knighthawks 8Buffalo Bandits 12
Division Final 2Buffalo Bandits 8Rochester Knighthawks 13
Division Final 3Buffalo Bandits 1Rochester Knighthawks 2
2015 Division SemifinalBuffalo Bandits 11Rochester Knighthawks 14
2016 Division Final 1Buffalo Bandits 15 New England Black Wolves 10
Division Final 2New England Black Wolves 15Buffalo Bandits 20
Championship 1Buffalo Bandits 9 Saskatchewan Rush 11
Championship 2Saskatchewan Rush 11Buffalo Bandits 10
2019 Division Semifinal New England Black Wolves 6Buffalo Bandits 13
Division FinalToronto Rock 8Buffalo Bandits 12
Championship 1Calgary Roughnecks 10Buffalo Bandits 7
Championship 2Buffalo Bandits 13Calgary Roughnecks 14
2022 Conference SemifinalAlbany Firewolves 5Buffalo Bandits 10
Conference Final 1Toronto Rock 17Buffalo Bandits 18
Conference Final 2Buffalo Bandits 10Toronto Rock 9
Championship 1Colorado Mammoth 14Buffalo Bandits 15
Championship 2Buffalo Bandits 8Colorado Mammoth 11
Championship 3Colorado Mammoth 10Buffalo Bandits 8
2023 Conference SemifinalRochester Knighthawks 8Buffalo Bandits 20
Conference Final 1Toronto Rock 5Buffalo Bandits 14
Conference Final 2Buffalo Bandits 17Toronto Rock 8
Championship 1Colorado Mammoth 12Buffalo Bandits 13
Championship 2Buffalo Bandits 10Colorado Mammoth 16
Championship 3Colorado Mammoth 4Buffalo Bandits 13
2024 QuarterfinalsGeorgia Swarm 9Buffalo Bandits 10 OT
Semi Final 1Buffalo Bandits 12Toronto Rock 4
Semi Final 2Toronto Rock 8Buffalo Bandits 12
Championship 1Buffalo Bandits 12Albany FireWolves 8
Championship 2Albany FireWolves 13Buffalo Bandits 15

All-time team-by-team playoff records

(Active NLL franchises only)

  Home Road Overall
TeamGPWLPCTGPWLPCTGPWLPCT
Calgary Roughnecks 1101.000101.000211.500
Colorado Mammoth 312.333101.000413.250
Georgia Swarm 2201.000000—2201.000
New England Black Wolves 642.667321.667963.667
Rochester Knighthawks 633.500615.1671248.333
Saskatchewan Rush 101.000101.000202.000
Toronto Rock 101.000422.500523.400
Total18108.55615510.333331518.455

Head coaching history

#NameTermRegular SeasonPlayoffs
GCWLW%GCWLW%
1 Bob McCready 1992 303.000————
2 Les Bartley 1992–1997 493613.7351293.750
3Les Wakeling 1998–1999 241014.417101.000
4Ted Sawicki 2000–2002 352114.600101.000
5Frank Neilson 2002 734.429————
6 Darris Kilgour 2003–2013 17610373.58520119.550
7 Troy Cordingley 2014–2018 904644.511945.444
8 John Tavares,
Rich Kilgour [13] 		2019 18144.778321.666
9 John Tavares 2020–654619.70817143.824

Draft history

NLL Entry Draft

First Round Selections

NLL Dispersal Draft

NLL Expansion Draft

Retired numbers

The Bandits have four retired numbers, three of which are represented at the Arena in the rafters with the Championship banners. [15]

Game broadcasts

Buffalo Bandits games can be heard on Buffalo's Entercom stations, either WGR 550 AM or WWKB 1520 AM. John Gurtler, former play-by-play man for the Buffalo Sabres, handles announcing duties, while former Bandit Randy Mearns handles color commentary.

All games are broadcast on ESPN+. Select games can be found nationally on ESPN Linear Networks, and locally (to the Buffalo Market) on WNLO CW23.

Notes

  1. ↑ Conference play began in the 2022 season

Footnotes and references

  1. ↑ The Baltimore Thunder won the Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League championship in the first year of their existence as well (1987), but that was the first year the league existed; the Toronto Rock won a championship in its first season in Toronto (1999), but the franchise had already played one year in Hamilton as the Ontario Raiders.
  2. ↑ "Bandits win decisive Game 3, bring NLL championship back to Buffalo". wgrz.com. June 3, 2023. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
  3. ↑ They are not the longest tenured franchise, however; the New England Black Wolves operate on the franchise of the Philadelphia Wings, and the Colorado Mammoth were originally the Baltimore Thunder with previous stops as the Pittsburgh Crossefire (2000) and Washington Power in (2001–2002).
  4. ↑ "Dietrich Named Aquis Goaltender of the Year". NLL.com. May 4, 2005. Retrieved 2007-05-08.
  5. ↑ "Steve Dietrich Named RBK Goaltender of the Year". NLL website. May 3, 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-10-07. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
  6. ↑ "Dietrich Wins 2006 Jet Blue MVP Award". NLL website. May 11, 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-10-11. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
  7. ↑ "Dave Zygaj Named NLL Executive of the Year". NLL.com. May 7, 2007. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
  8. ↑ "Steenhuis Named Top Transition Player". NLL.com. May 12, 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  9. ↑ "SMITH NAMED 2023 NLL FINALS MVP". Buffalo Bandits. June 3, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  10. ↑ "BYRNE NAMED NLL OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR". Buffalo Bandits. May 16, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  11. ↑ "BYRNE NAMED NLL'S MOST VALUABLE PLAYER". Buffalo Bandits. May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  12. ↑ "Matt Vinc". NLL. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  13. ↑ http://www.bandits.com/article/BANDITS%20ANNOUNCE%20CHANGES%20TO%20COACHING%20STAFF [ dead link ]
  14. ↑ Acquired the first overall pick and selected Chris Langdale from Toronto
  15. ↑ "2017 Media Guide" (PDF). Buffalo Bandits. Retrieved 5 December 2017.


See also

Preceded by Major Indoor Lacrosse League Champions
1992, 1993 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Major Indoor Lacrosse League Champions
1996 		Succeeded by
Preceded by National Lacrosse League Champions
2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by National Lacrosse League Champions
2023, 2024 		Succeeded by
Incumbent

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