After their dismal last place showing in the Eastern Conference during the 2012 NLL season, the Buffalo Bandits organization came to the conclusion that some fresh two-way firepower was needed to help restore balance to the defensive side and add to the offensive depth that they desired at the moment. Bandits head coach Darris Kilgour and newly appointed GM Steve Dietrich concluded that the best place to start would be the upcoming 2012 NLL draft.
When the time came for the Buffalo Bandits to make their decision on the 16th overall selection in the draft, Dietrich and Kilgour placed their faith in 5’ 11” 175 lb. left-handed transition specialist Jordan Critch from the Minto Cup champion Orangeville Northmen.
When the Bandits drafted Critch 16th overall, he was coming off one of his best seasons ever with the Northmen as he recorded 62 points (38 goals, 24 assists) in 16 games. Dietrich selected Wilde in the belief that, “Critch can score, he’s played defense, and he’s another guy that we think can get up and down the floor for us.” Critch also believed that he would be the perfect fit for the Bandits saying, “With my style of play, I’ll be able to play the defense well but also create opportunities on the offensive side when given the chance.”
When Critch made his way into Buffalo Bandits training camp for the upcoming 2013 NLL season, Kilgour believed that he had the potential to be an incredible two-way style of player in the league. Unfortunately, when the time came for the Bandits to submit their final 2013 roster to the league, Critch was on the outside looking in and placed on the practice squad. Now, it was all just a matter of time before Critch would get the call up and finally get his elusive moment in the spotlight.
Critch finally received the call up he had been waiting for from GM Steve Dietrich and joined the Bandits starting roster on March 23, 2013. In his first ever NLL career game, Critch faced the Edmonton Rush in front of the home crowd at First Niagara Center. “I wasn’t too sure that I was going to be playing,” Critch said. “When I got the nod that I was going to be playing, I was ecstatic.”
Unfortunately for Critch and the Bandits, his first career game wasn’t the highlight they had hoped for as he was held scoreless and turned the ball over three times in the 14-7 home loss to the Rush. While Critch’s scoreless drought continued on into the next week as well as the Bandits fell 18-11 on the road against the Toronto Rock, he would eventually find the back of the net the week after on the road in Minnesota against the Swarm.
Still riding high from his first goal against the Swarm, Critch’s big breakthrough in the NLL arrived one week later when the Bandits faced the Washington Stealth on the road for their week 15 showdown. In the 15-10 victory over Washington, Critch proved to Dietrich and Kilgour why they selected him by recording two goals, two assists and three loose balls. The win against the Stealth helped keep the Bandits alive in the playoff chase and he was individually recognized for his incredible playing ability with NLL Rookie of the Week honors. As the 2013 NLL regular season came to a close, Critch tallied five points (three goals, two assists) and eight loose balls in five regular season games (19th on the team).
During the 2013 season as a member of the Kitchener-Waterloo Kodiaks of the MSL, Critch recorded another 35 points (17 goals and 18 assists) in 17 games during the regular season, helping the team advance to the playoffs. Even though Critch recorded five points (two goals and three assists) in four playoff games, the Kodiaks were eliminated in the playoffs by the eventual Mann Cup champion Six Nations Chiefs.
Due to his offensive success with the Kodiaks, the Bandits retained the services of Critch for the 2014 NLL season. Critch was unable to crack the Bandits 2014 roster and once again was placed on the practice roster. During the regular season, the Bandits believed transition specialist Mitch Wilde deserved his shot at playing time and this coaching decision helped keep Critch on the practice squad for the remainder of the season.
While he may have not seen any action during his 2014 season in the NLL, Critch was receiving plenty of minutes with his MSL 2014 KW Kodiaks squad. During the regular season, Critch recorded 28 points (eight goals, 20 assists) in 18 games and helped the Kodiaks once again into the playoffs. Even though Critch recorded two points (one goal and one assist) in four games, the Kodiaks were eliminated in the playoffs by the Peterborough Lakers.
Reflecting on his playing time as a starter with the Bandits, Critch said, “Years ago, being a kid, it seems like a dream come true, playing with the guys whose pictures were on your wall or would watch videos of online. But when you actually play on the floor with them it doesn’t seem like much. Then you get to the bench and you’re like, ‘Oh, I was just on a shift with one of the best players in the world,’ and that kind of takes you back.”
Heading into the 2015 season, hopefully Critch will once again be able to play with the best in the world as a member of the Bandits starting lineup. With his speed, strength and scoring touch, Critch will definitely be the one to watch for the Buffalo Bandits during their upcoming training camp.
