Buffalo Bandits Director of Lacrosse Operations Scott Loffler today announced that the Bandits have acquired forward Shawn Williams, defenseman Brendon Doran, a 2012 first-round pick and two 2012 second-round picks from the Minnesota Swarm in exchange for Buffalo’s first-round pick in the 2012 NLL Entry Draft, pending league approval.
A member of the Bandits in 2000 and 2001, Williams (5’11”, 195 lbs., 6/20/74) returns to Buffalo after spending 10 seasons in Rochester from 2002 to 2011 and playing in Edmonton in 2012. The Swarm acquired Williams from Edmonton in a separate deal today.
“Shawn will help add some scoring to our roster,” said Bandits general manager Steve Dietrich. “He is a great teammate on and off the floor and understands how special it is to be a Buffalo Bandit.”
Williams recorded 68 points (16+52) and eight penalty minutes in Edmonton last season, leading the Rush in points and ranking sixth in the league in assists. He added 13 points (2+11) in three playoff games. In his career, Williams has totaled 1,038 points (412+626) and 117 penalty minutes in 223 games with Edmonton, Rochester, Buffalo and Toronto/Ontario.
Doran (5’8″, 180 lbs. 2/6/86) is entering his third NLL season after playing nine games in Minnesota last season and five as a member of the Toronto Rock in 2010. In 14 career games, he has tallied seven points (4+3) and 10 penalty minutes.
“Brendon is a young, gritty defenseman and will fit very well into our defensive system,” Dietrich said.
The Bandits gave up the third overall pick in 2012 as part of the trade, but received the fifth, 14th and 18th picks in return from the Swarm. The trade gives Buffalo four second-round picks and five selections in the top 18. No other East Division team is currently slated to pick before 20th overall.
