Being one post away from winning the Eastern Conference championship during the 2014 postseason, the Buffalo Bandits organization came to the conclusion that while the defensive side of the ball had flourished, the offensive side needed an injection of youth and size to help them flourish for next season.
Bandits head coach Troy Cordingley and Bandits GM Steve Dietrich believed that the 2014 NLL Draft would be the best place to begin their new campaign.
During the draft, the New England Black Wolves and Buffalo Bandits came together on a package deal that would have the Black Wolves receiving a sixth-round selection in the 2016 NLL Draft from the Bandits in exchange for the Black Wolves 49th overall selection in the 2014 NLL Draft. With the 49th overall pick, the Bandits selected five foot eleven inch 195lb forward Mike MeInychenko from Division II Chestnut Hill University.
When the Bandits drafted MeInychenko, he was leaving Chestnut Hill as the college’s all-time leader in nearly every offensive category. Over the course of four years with the Griffins, MeInychenko graduated from the team as their all-time leader in points (205), points-per-game (3.80 PPG), goals (154), goals-per-game (2.85), assists (51), shots attempted (351), shots-per-game (6.50), man-up goals (26) and games started (54).
Griffins head coach Brian Dougherty had plenty of wonderful remarks about MeInychenko’s time on the team with “One of the best offensive players I have ever coached. He is a flat out goal scorer and there is no doubt in my mind that he will succeed at the next level”.
While MeInychenko was showcasing his stellar play during the fall with the Griffins, he was also giving lacrosse fans something to cheer about as well during the summer. MeInychenko has been proving his athletic ability and lacrosse IQ to NLL scouts during his previous two seasons playing for the Brooklin Redmen and Kitchener-Waterloo Kodiaks of Major Series Lacrosse.
In 2013 during his rookie season with the Brooklin Redmen, MeInychenko recorded 24 points (16 goals and 8 assists) in 17 games during the regular season and helping the team advance to the playoffs. MeInychenko was just as incredible during the 2013 playoffs as he was during the regular season as he tallied another 27 points (15 goals and 12 assists). During the 2014 Major Series Lacrosse season, Kitchener-Waterloo Kodiaks General Manager Steve Dietrich made a trade to Brooklin for MeInychenko. Unfortunately, MeInychenko never really got the opportunity to show his game in KW due to a leg injury.
Heading into the 2015 season, MeInychenko will hopefully be able to prove why he deserves a spot on the Bandits starting roster and hopefully shine during the 2015 NLL season.
