NLL Buffalo Bandits

Bandits Acquire 2 Picks, Select 4 During 2023 NLL Entry Draft

Published on September 16, 2023 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Buffalo Bandits News Release


The Buffalo Bandits selected four players in the 2023 NLL Entry Draft Saturday afternoon, forming a draft class composed of two forwards, a defenseman and a goaltender. The team acquired a 2024 first-round pick from the Rochester Knighthawks in exchange for Buffalo's first-round pick (15th overall) in the 2023 NLL Entry Draft. The Bandits also acquired a 2027 sixth-round pick from the Las Vegas Desert Dogs in exchange for Buffalo's sixth-round pick (97th overall) in the 2023 NLL Entry Draft.

The Bandits used their first pick of the draft to select goaltender Evan Constantopoulos (6'6", 230 lbs., 9/10/2004) in the second round (38th overall). Constantopoulos spent the 2022-23 season playing with the Oakville Buzz Jr. A program in the Ontario Junior Lacrosse League (OJLL). The Oakville, Ontario native played in 18 games last season, recording a goals-against average of 8.74 and a .821 save percentage. Constantopoulos ranked fourth in both goals-against average and save percentage among goaltenders to have played at least 15 games last season in the OJLL.

Buffalo selected forward Jake Rosa (5'10", 175 lbs., 2/23/2000) in the third round (53rd overall). Rosa played four seasons of collegiate lacrosse at St. Bonaventure and finished his career with 115 points (67+48) in 40 games played. The Windsor, Ontario native was named the MAAC's Offensive Player of the Year as a sophomore in 2021 after leading the conference in both points (39) and assists (22). Rosa was named First Team All-Conference as a junior and during his senior season in 2023, became the second player in Bonnies team history to surpass 100 career points.

In the fourth round, the Bandits chose forward Kellen Pulera (6'2", 210 lbs.) with the 68th overall pick. Pulera, a native of Buffalo, New York, spent four seasons at Marist College and totaled 48 points (41+7) in 34 career games. Pulera recorded a career-high 31 goals as a junior in 2022 and received Second Team All-Conference honors. Pulera has competed for the Rapids of the Upstate Collegiate Box Lacrosse League (UCBLL), which is co-sponsored by the Bandits and the Rochester Knighthawks. In his UCBLL career, Pulera has registered 79 points (41+38).

Buffalo used its final pick of the draft to select defenseman Duncan Carte (6'3", 215 lbs., 3/3/2001) in the fifth round (82nd overall). The Hamiton, Ontario native competed for the Brampton Express in the Arena Lacrosse League (ALL) during the 2022-23 season. In six games, Carte totaled four points (1+3).

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