Although the Buffalo Bandits had a disappointing season last year, finishing last in the Eastern Conference with a 7-9 record and a first round playoff exit, general manager Steve Dietrich is off to a good start to the 2013 season. Buffalo began their first step to redemption on October 1st at the 2012 NLL Entry Draft as they picked up some solid prospect to add to the Bandits family.
1st Pick (1st Round, 5th Overall)- Dhane Smith (Kitchener-Waterloo Braves Jr.A)
Besides Mark Matthews, Dhane Smith could have the biggest impact this season out of the 2012 draft class. The KW Brave is a big body with great athleticism and outstanding skill. This summer Smith posted a league leading 107 points by finding the back of the cage 38 times and adding 69 assists in 19 games with the Braves. His outstanding year earned him the Bobby Allan award for leading scorer and the Dennis McIntosh award for the league’s most valuable player. Smith will most likely play out the back door with his cousin Billy Dee Smith. Although the 2012 Jr.A scoring king will be most likely be playing on the back end, there is no doubt head coach Darris Kilgour will expect Smith to create offense with his athleticism on the transition. With Smith’s versatile abilities on the floor, he has the potential to become a threat at any spot on the floor.
2nd Pick (2nd Round, 13th Overall)- Hayden Smith (Orangeville Northmen Jr.A)
Hayden Smith is a hard nosed, aggressive defender with great speed and knowledge of the game. Smith played an integral role in the Orangeville Northmen’s 2012 Minto Cup Championship. The Owen Sound native can agitate his opponents or drop the gloves to defend or hype his teammates while still playing a tight defensive game. The 21-year-old defender also posted 42 points in 18 games, including 15 goals, proving him a legitimate offensive threat when given the opportunity. His average size on the D end may hold him back, but Smith’s work ethic on the floor gives him a shot to crack Buffalo’s 2013 roster.
3rd Pick (2nd Round, 16th Overall)- Jordan Critch (Orangeville Northmen Jr.A/Guelph University)
With three Minto Cup Championships on his resume, the Bandits drafted a proven winner in Jordan Critch. The Orangeville,ON native buried 38 goals and recorded 24 assists for 62 points in his 2012 campaign with the junior A Northmen. Critch can be used on both ends of the floor with his athleticism and lacrosse sense. His size (5’11 175 lbs.) is a question mark him making the team this year, but with some added weight and a year of CLax, Critch could find himself on the Bandits in the near future.
4th Pick (2nd Round, 18th Overall)- Carter Bender (University of Hartford/ Brampton Excelsiors MSL)
The Bandits should consider themselves lucky to grab a talent such as Carter Bender in the later stages of the second round. Bender is a big body presence with experience at high levels of lacrosse already. The 23-year-old Toronto,ON native spent 4 years at Hartford University, two years with Brampton of the MSL and even appeared in a game with the Rochester Rattlers of the MLL this summer. This summer Bender posted 10 goals, 15 assists for a solid 25 points in 11 games with the Excelsiors. Bender’s size and athleticism allows him to create space for more skilled players on the team. Bender also has the ability to go out the back door, play solid d and move the up the floor for his team. Bender’s age, experience, size and skill makes him an absolute steal at the 18th overall pick for the Bandits. Bender should be able to crack the roster and be an everyday player for the Bandits this season.
5th Pick (3rd Round, 22nd Overall)- Kevin Brownell (Robert Morris University/ Brooklin Redmen MSL)
Kevin Brownell was a highly touted prospect but after sitting out last summer, his draft stock dropped quite dramatically. Brownell has the tools to become a solid NLL player but his commitment is a huge question mark. If Brownell can buckle down and reach his potential from a few years ago, the Bobby Mo product could be a steal for the Bandits.
6th Pick (4th Round, 31st Overall)- Joel Matthews (University of Detroit Mercy/St.Catharines A’s/Six Nations Arrows Jr.A )
At 6’3 215 pounds, Joel Matthews is a big body with a great set of skills and solid athleticism. In 2010 and 2011, Matthews hit triple digits in the point column but only managed to post 34 in 2012 after breaking his hand. Like Brownell, the question is not talent, rather commitment. If Matthews can bring back the play he brought in 2010 and 2011, he has the potential to be a solid NLL prospect.
6th Round (5th Round, 40th Overall)- Wenster Green(Six Nations Arrows Jr. A)
Wenster Green is a young talent out of the Six Nations Arrows and will be a long term project. The 17-year-old has solid size for his age at 5’11 and 190lbs. Green plays transition and has good speed, stick skills and lacrosse sense. In his second season with the Arrows, Green posted 8 goals, 11 assists for 19 points in 20 games. The Bandits will have to wait quite some time to see if this pick panned out, but with his age and how late Buffalo grabbed Green, this has the potential to be a steal or a non existent pick.
