Now, serious business
After a summer of glorious celebrations, including weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and weekly get-togethers with the NLL Cup, the Bandits gather their gear and prepare for training camp ’24.
30-plus players will report to Buffalo on Saturday for physicals and then embark to Oakville, Ontario, in the confines of the TRAC for the month of November.
The back-to-back NLL Champions will start the regular season on the road on December 7 in Rochester, then onto the first-ever visit to Ottawa against the newly named Black Bears on December 13.
The Bandit’s sixth championship banner will be raised before their home opener on December 28 vs. the Knighthawks.
From a calendar perspective, that’s a long way to go, but the countdown is officially on.
The core of last season’s championship team is back, minus a few players, including Brandon Robinson, who was traded to Rochester over the offseason. His brother, Justin, was traded to Ottawa. Dalton Sulver signed up as a free agent with Colorado.
Bryce Sweeting and Matt Spanger return from injury.
“Moving Brandon and Justin was difficult. Both character guys have played important roles for us in the past two championships. Dalton moved on for what he thought was a better opportunity, so we wish him the best as well” noted Bandits general manager Steve Dietrich
And while a three-peat is on the minds of many, it’s not the mantra for the team.
“In the effort lies the reward.”
“We are always looking for ways to improve. Every year, our goal is to win the championship, and if we don’t, we fail. Expectations don’t change just because we have won.
“The guys realize how good the feeling was walking off the floor the last two years and want nothing more than to do it again,” said Dietrich.
The challenge remains: Hone the skills, instill teamwork, employ effort, and develop the talent in the wings.
Youth, whatever their art. Thou art but a scurvy fellow.
Interpretations of Bill Shakespeare’s line in “Twelfth Night” are slightly different. Still, the younger players in the Bandits fold have to strive to be noticed and weasel their way into playing time.
“We are going to have a very competitive with the young guys continuing to push for time, whether during the game or getting onto the game night roster.
“I think our young [defensemen] took a huge jump last year, and we are hoping the next wave of young guys will have a similar impact,” Dietrich said.
This year’s Bandits camp boasts some of the most vital young talent in years, like Lukas Nielsen and Jake Rosa.
“Lukas is going to be a real find for us. He is a big, strong righty who still has junior eligibility left. He played very well against men for New Westminster in the WLA playoffs, and we are excited to see how he fits our group.
“Jake Rosa is also coming in from our draft class from a couple of years back. Built in the Kyle Buchanan mold, we are looking forward to watching him as well.”
Other young guns include Trent Robertson, a 6’4 225 defenseman, Taylor Dooley, Vance Adams, and Ryan Sharkey. Clay Scanlan and Kellen Pulera will battle for a lefty O spot.
New to the Bandits training camp roster are gritty Thomas Whitty and Taite Cattoni.
“Taite doesn’t stop working on offense and battles for everything he gets. Whitty is a guy I’ve admired for a while. He plays how we like our d guys to play. In your face, won’t back down, and can transition the ball up the floor.”
New faces. Familiar faces. Everyone is always welcome to the Bandits fold.
“The leadership group has been exceptional at welcoming new players and helping them join our group. There are no egos in that locker room, and in fact, they are always wanting us to improve any way we can,” said Dietrich.
All aboard for Bandits training camp ’24!