NLL Buffalo Bandits

Bandits Announce 2015 Roster

December 18, 2014 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Buffalo Bandits News Release


BUFFALO, NY (December 18, 2014) --- Buffalo Bandits General Manager Steve Dietrich today announced the team's 20-man roster for the beginning of the 2015 season.

The side is highlighted by the return of the team's four leading scorers from last season, including NLL career points leader John Tavares, who returns for his 24th season. In all, 16 players from last year's team made the Bandits' initial roster.

"We liked where we were with our roster coming into the off-season and wanted to build on the success we had last year," Dietrich said. "I think teams that maintain stability have success in this league and we're hoping that's the case with our team this season."

First-round pick Brandon Goodwin also made the squad, along with newcomers Jerome Thompson, Nick Weiss and David Diruscio.

To get the roster down to 20 players, the Bandits released Glen Bryan, Jordan Critch, Joel Matthews, Rance Vigneux and Aaron Wilson. The team also placed Jamie Rooney on injured reserved, Drew Petkoff and Adam Will on the holdout list and assigned Matthew Bennett, Jordan Dance, Tyler Ferreira and Corey Fowler to the practice squad, pending league approval.

"It's always difficult to release players, especially guys that have been a part of this organization in the past," Dietrich said. "The younger players we brought in forced us into some really tough decisions, but we did what we feel is best for the team moving forward."

Buffalo, who finished the preseason with a perfect 3-0 record, will open its season in New England on Jan. 2 before taking on the Edmonton Rush on Jan. 3 in the home opener at 7:30 p.m.

The roster breakdown is below, and a full roster is attached.

Forwards (7): Ryan Benesch, Chad Culp, Joe Resetarits, Dhane Smith, Mark Steenhuis, John Tavares, Jerome Thompson.

Transition (8): David Brock, Kevin Brownell, Brandon Goodwin, Alex Kedoh Hill, Jay Thorimbert, Andrew Watt, Nick Weiss, Mitch Wilde.

Defensemen (3): Steve Priolo, Billy Dee Smith, Derek Suddons.

Goalies (2): Anthony Cosmo, David Diruscio.

Practice Squad (4): Matthew Bennett, Jordan Dance, Tyler Ferreira, Corey Fowler.

Injured Reserve (1): Jamie Rooney.

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