The Buffalo Bandits today announced the team has signed forward Sam La Roue and defenseman Taylor Kauffeldt to two-year contracts and transition player Joel Matthews to a one-year contract.

The team selected La Roue (6’3”, 195 lbs., 6/3/2002) in the second round (19th overall) of the 2020 NLL Entry draft. The South Surrey, British Columbia native made his BC Junior A Lacrosse League debut as a 16-year-old in 2019, recording 39 points (14+25) in 20 games. Drafted first overall by the Burnaby Lakers in the 2019 BCJALL Midget Draft, La Roue began his rookie year with the Lakers before finishing the season with the New Westminster Salmonbellies.

Kauffeldt (6’1”, 178 lbs., 6/1/1998) was selected by the Bandits in the fourth round (55th overall) of the 2019 NLL Entry Draft. A native of Aurora, Ontario, Kauffeldt played four seasons for Bishop’s University of the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association. In his time at Bishop’s University, he earned multiple school honors, including the Coaches’ Award in 2019-20 and the Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2018-19.

Matthews (6’3”, 227 lbs., 2/28/1991) rejoins the Bandits after spending three seasons (2014-15 to 2016-17) with the Rochester Knighthawks where he totaled 16 points (5+11) in 14 games. Matthews, a St. Catharines Ontario native, spent his rookie season (2013-14) with the Bandits and scored two goals in two games after the team selected him in the fourth round (31st overall) of the 2012 NLL Entry Draft.