The Buffalo Bandits today announced the team has signed defensemen Zack Belter and Ryan Sharkey to two-year contracts, pending league approval.

Belter (6’5”, 225 lbs., 3/3/2000) played five seasons of collegiate lacrosse at St. Bonaventure and recorded eight points (2+6) in 50 career games. Belter finished his collegiate career with 62 caused turnovers and 93 loose-ball recoveries, which rank first and third, respectively, in Bonnies program history. The Wheatfield, New York native earned First Team All-Conference honors in 2022 and Second Team All-Conference honors in 2021. Belter was selected by the Bandits in the first round (19th overall) of the 2022 NLL Entry Draft.

Sharkey (6’0”, 180 lbs.) was drafted by the Bandits in the fourth round (73rd overall) of the 2022 NLL Entry Draft. The defenseman spent four seasons at Canisius College and finished his career with 70 loose-ball recoveries and 29 caused turnovers in 39 games. Sharkey earned First Team All-Conference honors in 2022 and Second Team All-Conference honors in 2021. The Yonkers, New York native spent the 2023 collegiate season playing at UMass and totaled 12 loose-ball recoveries and 11 caused turnovers in 14 games. Sharkey has competed for the Rapids of the Upstate Collegiate Box Lacrosse League (UCBLL), which is co-sponsored by the Bandits and the Rochester Knighthawks. He recorded six points during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.