Looking to add some much needed scoring power from the left side during the 2014 NLL entry draft, Buffalo Bandits general manager Steve Dietrich and head coach Troy Cordingley used their 18th overall selection of six-foot-two, 171 lb forward Tyler Ferreira from the Jr. A Brampton Excelsiors to help fulfill that promise.
When the Bandits drafted Ferreira with the 18th overall, he was coming off of one of his best seasons ever with the Excelsiors by recording 33 points (14 goals, 19 assists) in 19 games. Over four full seasons overall with the Jr. A Excelsiors, Ferreira recorded 120 points. Dietrich and Cordingley found out over time that Ferreira was not only blessed with speed, but also his versatile ability to contribute at either end of the floor. Ferreira’s energy and his ability to be a true team player will help his teammates reap dividends on the score sheet.
When Ferreira made his way into Buffalo Bandits training camp for the upcoming 2015 NLL season, Cordingley and Dietrich praised Ferreira for his work ethic and believed that he had the potential to be an incredible two way style of player in the league.
Unfortunately for Ferreira, once Bandits training camp was said and done, he was placed on the practice squad and unable to crack the Bandits roster for the remainder of the season.
Looking to find a fresh start after a winter session on the practice squad for the Bandits and his junior lacrosse career over for Brampton, Ferreira looked for a brighter future by entering himself in the 2015 MSL entry draft. Fortune struck Ferreira’s way when he was selected first overall in the 2015 draft by his home team, the Brampton Excelsiors.
In just his first season of Sr. A ball with the Excelsiors, Ferreira tore through the league like a man possessed. Ferreira led all rookies in scoring with 51 points (17 goals and 34 assists) in 17 games, helped his team advance to the playoffs for the first time in three years and received MSL Rookie of the Year honors in the process. Even though Ferreira recorded four points (two goals and two assists) in five playoff games, the Excelsiors were finally eliminated during game five in the opening round the playoffs by the Six Nations Chiefs.
Looking ahead toward the 2016 season, breaking news arrived during the offseason announcing the retirement of Bandits captain John Tavares. With Tavares not in the Bandits active roster for the first time in 25 years, there will be an open slot at the lefty forward position. Hopefully Ferreira will find the breakthrough he is looking for in training camp and finally crack the Bandits starting lineup.
