NLL Buffalo Bandits

Bandits Sign Tavares, Three Others

Published on November 16, 2004 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Buffalo Bandits News Release


Buffalo, N.Y. (November 16, 2004) – Buffalo Bandits General Manager Kurt Silcott announced today the team has signed franchise-forward John Tavares, Jason Crosbie, Drew Candy and Chris Passavia. As is club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed. All transactions are subject to league approval.

"John is obviously the key to our franchise," stated Silcott. "In my opinion, he's the best box player of all-time and we couldn't be happier to have him back on our team for another season.

"John appears to be timeless, which is a tribute to his off-field workout regiment. He is one of the hardest working players in the league and I believe that is best reflected by his ongoing leadership in so many offensive categories. He's near the top on the all-time list in goals, assists, points and loose balls. When you have a guy like John in your line-up, you know you'll be able to compete night in and night out against any other team in lacrosse. Quite simply put, a player of John's caliber wins you games."

Tavares, who led the Bandits in scoring for the sixth-consecutive season and the 11th time in his 13-year NLL career, was tied for the league lead in points (93). He is ranked first in NLL history in assists (475), second in goals (474) and second in points (949). He also holds the highest points per game average in league history (6.46).

Last season, Tavares ranked second in the league in goals (49), tied for fourth in short handed goals (3), fifth in shots (212) and eighth in assists (44). He was selected to the Eastern Division All-Star team for the third time in his career, where he served as Captain.

On February 14, 2004, he became just the second player in NLL history to score 900-career points with a six-point (3+3) performance against Anaheim. He is the franchise leader for Buffalo in every major offensive category including goals, assists, points, games played (147) and loose balls (1397). Tavares is currently on pace to become the first player in NLL history to register 500-career assists, and the second player to score 500-career goals and 1000- career points.

Last season for the Bandits, Crosbie ranked third on the team in power-play goals (3) and fifth in goals (19). He also ranked sixth in assists (19), points (38) and loose balls (81). Crosbie exploded in the playoffs, scoring 10 points (2+8) in three games. In 32-career regular season games for Buffalo, Crosbie has registered 44 goals and 54 assists for 98 points.

Candy was acquired by the Bandits on December 23, 2003 in a three team trade that sent Chris Seller to Anaheim and Shawn Nadalen to Philadelphia. In 11 games last season, he registered three points (2+1), while recording 49 penalty minutes. Candy has registered three goals and four assists for seven points and 142 penalty minutes in 32-career games.

Passavia was the Bandits' fourth-round selection (43rd overall) in the 2004 NLL Entry Draft. A member of the All-ACC and ACC All-Tournament team following his senior season at Maryland University, Passavia was one of 15 nominees for Tewaaraton Trophy as nation's top player. He was recognized by Maryland head coach Dave Cottle as athletic as any defenseman he has coached in his 20 years on the sidelines. In his four seasons with the Terps, he amassed a goal and three assists for four points, collected 161 loose balls and registered over 34 minutes in penalties. Passavia has also spent time with the Boston Canons of Major League Lacrosse last season, where he scored two points (1+1) and recorded 50 penalty minutes.

The Bandits will open the 2005 season against the Toronto Rock at the HSBC Arena on Friday, January 7, 2005, at 7:30 PM. Ticket packages are available by calling the Buffalo Bandits Ticket Office at 1-888-467-2273, or fans can purchase packages at the HSBC Arena Box Office or any Tickets.com locations. For more information, log on to www.bandits.com.

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National Lacrosse League Stories from November 16, 2004


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