Schedule Analysis: For the Buffalo Bandits, their 2015 National Lacrosse League regular season schedule is quite treacherous. The first half of the regular season will see the Bandits more on the road and away from the friendly confines of Banditland. Through the first nine games of the 2015 season, the Bandits will have three home games and 6 away games. If the Bandits and their fans thought double the road…
Photo credit: Ryan Pfeiffer/Metroland Although he may have had to wait longer than expected, Sheldon Burns was just happy to be selected in the NLL draft. “It’s going to sound cliche, but it’s truly a dream come true,” said the 22nd overall pick of the New England Blackwolves. “I grew up wanting to play in the highest level I can and to be apart of this and a new organization…
The Rochester Knighthawks have announced the signing of Kyle Pereira to a three-year deal. In Pereira, Rochester adds a two-sport star who is currently playing Canadian collegiate hockey at St. Mary’s University. “It feels incredible to get the opportunity,” he said about joining the defending NLL Champion Knighthawks. “Signing with such a storied franchise, with a history of winning like Rochester does, is awesome.” The 23-year-old has spent the past…
The Minnesota Swarm have announced the team has signed its top draft pick, forward Miles Thompson, to a two-year deal. The Swarm selected Thompson with the third overall selection in the 2014 NLL Draft. “Miles was one of the most electrifying players in all of college lacrosse during his four-year career at UAlbany and we’re excited to add a player of his caliber to our roster,” said Swarm Owner and Governor John Arlotta….
Yesterday the National Lacrosse League announced that they are going to experiment with shootouts during select preseason games. The NLL has never used shootouts before, so, naturally, there have been some pretty strong reactions. “I feel its gonna be a shooters paradise, if it was to decide a game a big time save or even a shooters mistake could be huge,” said undrafted rookie goalie Rance Vigneux, recently signed by…
Nick Cotter might not be a household name in lacrosse. He is, however, a name that would be known by fans who follow every level of lacrosse. Cotter began his NLL career with the Boston Blazers, and after they folded, he saw limited time with the Buffalo Bandits. Cotter also has seen time with the Charlotte Copperheads of the ill-fated Professional Lacrosse League and is a coach with St. Leo’s…
With the 19th overall pick in the 2014 NLL Draft, the Edmonton Rush selected Tyler Melnyk. Coming from Calgary, Alberta, Melnyk grew up around hockey and lacrosse. After attending Presbyterian College alongside his brother, Tyler transferred to Marquette University where he really attracted the NCAA spotlight. In his first season/junior year with Marquette, Melnyk started every game and took advantage of the opportunities; he ended up leading the team in…
The Vancouver Stealth had three picks in the third round of the 2014 NLL Draft and with the 23rd overall selection took forward Dan Keane. Keane has just wrapped up playing attack for the Delaware Blue Hens in college field lacrosse. In his senior year he led the team in goals (27) and points (33) as the Blue Hens played to a 7-9 record. The 5’9″ righty also played two…
The Calgary Roughnecks are looking farther in the future and the player they drafted lived in their own backyard. With the 54th overall pick the Roughnecks picked up hometown D-man Andrew Smistad from Marquette University. This player could be the Roughnecks’ diamond in the rough. Andrew grew up in Calgary playing locally for the Calgary “Jr. A” Mountaineers playing in the 2008 Minto Cup with the team before heading off…
The National Lacrosse League has announced the experimental implementation of the shootout immediately following NLL preseason games this December as teams prepare for the upcoming regular season. For the first time in league history, a shootout will be held upon the conclusion of several exhibition games, regardless of the final score. The league’s Competition Committee intends to collect data and analyze the mechanics of the shootout in order to determine if the concept might be of interest in the future. The post-game shootout…