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Buffalo Bandits

Byrne, Smith, MacKay Earn 2023-24 All-League Honors

May 17, 2024 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Buffalo Bandits News Release


Three Buffalo Bandits have earned All-League honors for the 2023-24 season, the NLL announced Friday.

Forward Josh Byrne, who was awarded the league's Offensive Player of the Year on Thursday and MVP on Friday, has been named First Team All-NLL while forward Dhane Smith and transition player Ian MacKay have been named Second Team All-NLL.

The All-NLL teams are made up of six players each: two forwards, one transition player, two defensemen and one goaltender.

All awards are based on regular season performance and were voted on prior to the 2024 NLL Playoffs.

Here is the complete list of players who earned First and Second Team honors:

First Team All-NLL

Josh Byrne, Buffalo Bandits, Forward - Byrne enjoyed a career year in 2023-24, tallying a league-best 135 points (53+82) in 18 games to set new single-season career highs in goals, assists, and points. The 30-year-old came just three points shy of breaking the NLL's single-season record, which Smith set in 2016 with 137 points.

Jeff Teat, New York Riptide, Forward

Ryan Dilks, Vancouver Warriors, Defense

Mitch de Snoo, Toronto Rock, Defense

Jake Withers, Halifax Thunderbirds, Transition

Nick Rose, Toronto Rock, Goaltender

Second Team All-NLL

Dhane Smith, Buffalo Bandits, Forward - Smith ranked second in the NLL with 134 points in 2023-24 while his 101 assists broke the all-time single-season record he set last season. He became the first player in league history to surpass the 100-assist mark with 10 assists in the Bandits' season finale. He was also a finalist for both Offensive Player of the Year and MVP.

Connor Fields, Rochester Knighthawks, Forward

Brad Kri, Toronto Rock, Defense

Kyle Rubisch, San Diego Seals, Defense

Ian MacKay, Buffalo Bandits, Transition - MacKay, who was a finalist for Transition Player of the Year, played a key role in the Bandits' transition game while demonstrating his versatility and ability to play any position throughout the campaign. He recorded 29 points (12+17), 19 caused turnovers, and 12 blocks and filled in on faceoffs until specialist Connor Farrell arrived in Buffalo in March. MacKay led the Bandits with 160 loose-ball recoveries during the regular season, which ranked eighth in the league.

Doug Jamieson, Albany FireWolves, Goaltender

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