| BUFFALO, NY (July 29, 2014) — Buffalo Bandits General Manager Steve Dietrich today announced that the team has tagged forward Mark Steenhuis as its franchise player for the 2015 NLL season and extended qualifying offers to the following four players: Rory Smith, Jay Thorimbert, Andrew Watt and Steve Priolo. Steenhuis appeared in all 18 regular season games for Buffalo in 2014, recording a team-high 31 goals and totaling 63 points overall. The St. Catharines, ON native went on to tally 16 points (6+10) over four postseason appearances. Steenhuis currently ranks second in Bandits franchise history in goals (350), assists (386) and points (736).
Smith was acquired from Colorado prior to the 2014 season and tallied a career-high six points (0+6) in his inaugural campaign with Buffalo. The 27-year-old reached the 100 games played milestone in 2014 and added an assist over four playoff contests.
Thorimbert, fresh off his fourth year as a member of the Bandits, tallied 11 points (5+6) over 18 games in 2014. He also recovered a career-best 191 loose balls, won 56 percent of his faceoffs (253 of 454) and registered an assist over four playoff games.
Watt, also acquired prior to the 2014 season, saw action in just nine games due to injury. Over this span, the Kitchener, ON native contributed five points (3+2) before adding one goal over four playoff games.
Priolo enjoyed a breakout season in 2014, establishing career-highs in goals (8), assists (18) and points (26) over 18 games played. After producing an additional two assists over two playoff outings, he was named a finalist for 2014 NLL Defensive Player of the Year.
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