The Buffalo Bandits today announced the team has signed transition player Ethan O’Connor to a one-year contract and defenseman Marcus Minichiello to a two-year contract. Both deals are pending league approval.
O’Connor (6’1”, 185 lbs., 3/5/1992) returns to the Bandits for a second season after being acquired via trade from the Georgia Swarm prior to the 2018-19 season. In his first year as a Bandit, O’Connor played in all 18 regular-season games for the club and set new career highs in both goals (6) and points (13). He also appeared in three of Buffalo’s postseason games, tallying one assist and picking up 10 loose balls.
The Milton, Ontario native enters his seventh NLL season, having played 103 career games for Buffalo, the Georgia/Minnesota Swarm and the Toronto Rock. O’Connor, who was selected by Toronto in the first round (9th overall) of the 2013 NLL Entry Draft, has totaled 56 career points (20+36) and 493 loose ball recoveries. He was a member of the Swarm’s 2017 championship squad has recorded a total of five assists in 10 career postseason contests.
Minichiello (6’2”, 165 lbs., 4/21/1997) made his NLL debut with the Bandits in 2019-20 and recovered 12 loose balls in five regular-season contests. Before joining the Bandits, Minichiello played one season for the Paris RiverWolves of the Arena Lacrosse League. He recorded 11 points (6+5) in 11 regular-season games, which ranked second among Paris defensemen. The Toronto, Ontario native also spent six seasons with the Toronto Beaches of the OJALL before making his pro debut, posting 34 points (14+20) in 86 regular-season games.