Help Wanted
Halfway through Bandits training camp, the “positions open” sign remains illuminated for the first time in several years.
What used to be a formidable lineup to break into now has several spots open, which will give the club a different look.
“We have a lot of good young kids out here that are going to push a lot of the veterans,” said Bandits GM and defensive coordinator Steve Dietrich.
“You want to have one eye on today, but the other eye on the future. You don’t want to bury yourself with age and get rid of all your youth. And then a year from now, you’re looking for all kinds of youth, so it’s going to be a really competitive camp.”
And, so far, so good for the thirty-plus players who are going through fast-paced drills, intrasquad scrimmage, and a preseason game against Calgary last Saturday (lost 13-6).
Do it Again
Training camp can be a bucket of green eggs and ham, what with the raw talent, endless drills, and decision-making in game-type situations. It can be messy and monotonous.
“I want to see who the gamers are. What kind of decisions do they make when it really matters? It’s always hard to judge people in practice drills,” said Bandits head coach John Tavares.
“I’m looking forward to selecting our team to get ready for the first night in Buffalo.”
Buffed
Tavares mentioned he is pleased with everybody who showed up in great shape and ready to compete, which includes all the veteran players, the rookie draft choices, and players like Lucas Nielsen, an ingenue who spent last season on the Bandits’ active roster.
“A spot is open. He had four goals in our intra-squad scrimmage last week. He looks hungry and hopeful that he will continue to do so,” Tavares said.
Said Dietrich: “We are looking for Lucas to take a step forward. He was around Dhane and those guys, all last year, so he’s probably ready to take another step.
“And then you look at Coltrane Tyson (two goals last Saturday), and Jake Rosa is coming in from the year before. And then you know, Jaden Kennedy, Liam Keane, and all the kids that we drafted this year. It should be fun to watch.”
Review the List
Like every training camp, the often-used phrase “tough decisions to make” has been frequently used to cover up for sticking with the same players from the previous season. This Bandit camp, I would say, is a good decision.
“Somebody like Tahoka will have to assume a different role, or a bigger role in the offense. We’re hoping for big things from him.
“And then, whether it’s Clay (Scanlan, who had a beautiful acrobatic goal Saturday against Calgary) or Benny (Ryan Benesch), or Coltrane, or whoever else steps up on offense, somebody’s going to need to fill a new role.”
Positive Notes
The vibe is good in camp, and there is excitement with the fact that the Bandits will have a new look and things will be different.
Ian MacKay, who has played in every game the last three seasons and recorded a twenty-five-point improvement (37+17=54) from playing up front last season and a remarkable 16+8=24 in the playoffs to earn MVP status, welcomes the competition for spots on the roster.
“We have the studs on the team, the Josh’s (Byrne), the Dhane’s (Smith), the Vno’s (Vinc), the Pri’s (Priolo), (and I will add the MacKay’s) but you know the younger guys coming up who are trying to make a name for themselves to vie for a spot on the roster.”
Smith is the Name
Coming off his fourth straight 100-plus point season (134) and his eighth in twelve seasons, Smith, too, notes the importance of the young players challenging for a roster spot.
“You always want to see these younger players push the older guys like me. It’s weird to say that I’m one of the older guys, but hopefully nobody takes my spot,” said a humbled Smith
“But no, I’m super excited about seeing the young talent that we’ve brought in, and again, some familiar faces trying to help them out along the way. We’re excited to see what we’re made of.”
Burnin’ Determination
Byrne, coming off his second 100+ point campaign and a nine-point performance (4+5) in the third game of last season’s championship, shares his perspective on training camp.
“At the end of the day, we focus on the fundamentals of playing Bandit ball, which is playing tough, playing fast, playing with energy, and playing with pace, and we build off that.
“We weren’t perfect last year, so there is a lot to work on and getting better every session we have.”
Countdown
Two more weeks to go and a couple of preseason games to chart everyone’s performance before the Bandits roster and practice players must be submitted by November 24. By that time, all positions will be filled.
Home Cooking
Training camp moves to Buffalo this weekend for a full day of practice, company procedures, social media, photo & video production elements, and a preseason game in the evening against Las Vegas.
All Saturday sessions will be closed to the general public.
The Bandits open the 2025-26 season inside KeyBank Center on Saturday, November 29, against Georgia. The club will raise its seventh championship banner to the rafters before the start of the game.