Buffalo Bandits General Manager Steve Dietrich announced Tuesday that the team has given their 2015 NLL season franchise tag to forward Mark Steenhuis. The Bandits also avoided restricted free agency by extending qualifying offers to transition players Jay Thorimbert and Andrew Watt along with defensemen Rory Smith and Steve Priolo before the July 31 deadline.
During the Bandits 2014 NLL season, Mark Steenhuis appeared in all 18 regular season games, led the Bandits in goals with 31 and recorded 63 points overall. The St. Catharines, ON native tallied 16 points (six goals and 10 assists) over four postseason appearances. Steenhuis currently ranks second in Bandits franchise history with 350 goals, 386 assists and 736 points. If Steenhuis had not received the franchise tag, the 33-year-old veteran would have become an unrestricted free agent.
Defenseman Rory Smith was acquired from the Colorado Mammoth prior to the 2014 season. During his inaugural season with the Bandits the 27-year-old recorded a career-high six assists during the regular season. Smith reached the 100 games milestone in 2014.
While in his fourth year as a member of the Buffalo Bandits, transition specialist Jay Thorimbert had a breakout year for himself in 2014. Thorimbert recovered a career-high 191 loose balls (third overall in the league) and won 253 faceoffs (third overall in the league). Thorimbert recorded 11 points (six goals, five assists) over 18 games during the regular season while recording an assist during the postseason.
Prior to the 2014 season, transition specialist Andrew Watt was acquired from the Minnesota Swarm. In his inaugural season with the Bandits the Kitchener, ON native recorded only five points (three goals and two assists) due to being sidelined for half the season with an injury. Watt was able to recover in time to help the Bandits in the postseason by contributing one goal.
2014 NLL Defensive Player of the Year finalist Steve Priolo had himself a banner year in 2014. Priolo recorded career-highs with eight goals, 18 assists and 26 points over 18 games. Priolo also recorded two assists over the postseason.
The Bandits currently have three restricted free agents unsigned. Hoping to receive qualifying offers are defenseman Glen Bryan, forward Jamie Rooney and goaltender Kurtis Wagar.
The Bandits also hold the rights to three inactive restricted free agents in Alex Kedoh Hill, Drew Petkoff and Joe Smith.
The biggest challenge for the Buffalo Bandits coming up will be the direction they take in handling their eligible unrestricted free agents. Forwards John Tavares, Shawn Williams and Chad Culp along with goaltenders Anthony Cosmo and Ken Montour will possibly be up for grabs if the Bandits miss their chance at signing these veterans.
