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Buffalo Bandits

Dhane Smith Named NLL MVP

September 27, 2016 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Buffalo Bandits News Release


TORONTO - The National Lacrosse League today announced that Buffalo Bandits forward Dhane Smith has been named the National Lacrosse League's Most Valuable Player following a record-setting 2016 campaign. Smith was nominated for the honor alongside Shawn Evans of the New England Black Wolves and Mark Matthews of the Saskatchewan Rush.

Smith tallied 72 goals and 137 total points in 18 games, setting league records in both categories. He paced the league in game-winning goals (5), ranked second in power-play goals (16), fifth in assists (65), and corralled 111 loose balls, second-best among forwards. His penchant for scoring helped lead the Bandits to their first division title since 2009, as they won a franchise-best 13 games on the way to a 13-5 regular season record.

The Kitchener, Ontario native had 14 games with at least six points, had hat tricks in 16 games, and reached double-digit scoring three times. He was also named Player of the Month three times over the course of the season.

His surge in scoring vaulted him to fourth place in franchise history for goals (155), assists (192) and overall points (347) despite having suited up for just 69 games in his first four seasons. Smith was the fifth overall selection by the Bandits in the 2012 NLL Draft, and was named to the league's all-rookie team in 2013.

Smith is the third Bandit to win the MVP Award, after John Tavares (1994, 2000, 2001) and Steve Dietrich (2006).

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