Run Forest!
National Lacrosse League teams are fully entrenched as training camps enter the third week. This is the time of the season when every group looks great and will contend, as rosters are chock full of veterans, free agents, dispersal players, and draft picks.
Social media groups around the loop have been busy sharing photos and videos of the players on the turf in action, posing, walking in hallways, lounging on couches, and posting snippets of players commenting on who eats the most donuts, what their favorite socks are, and secrets away from the game.
One Potato, Two Po…
It would be difficult to assemble the top NLL teams now by entering the prediction market on Kalshi and Polymarket with a shot-in-the-dark forecast, something I would never do anyway.
Several preseason games have been played (with a few of the new rules in place and being observed-more on that later), and some teams have released players, narrowing their rosters for who can play with whom at the elite level. More player releases are on the horizon as each team must select a final roster of 21 and four practice players by November 23rd.
Flower City
The Bandits wrapped up their weekend camp in Rochester with a practice session Saturday night and a Sunday morning preseason game against the Knighthawks, who have returned to their classic teal colors and logo, displayed on new turf as well.
With most of the Knighthawk regulars sitting out, the Bandits countered with first- and second-half rosters, sprinkled with veterans such as Dhane Smith, Ian MacKay, and Clay Scanlan; newcomer Travis Longboat; defensive regulars; and Evan Constantopoulis & Waukiigan Shognosh sharing the netminding duties.
“It was a good start. Rochester was missing a lot of players, and we had a bunch that either played first or second half,” noted Bandits general manager and defensive coordinator, Steve Dietrich.
“Movement on offense looked good, and communication and switches on defense looked good. I was also pleased with the play of both our young goalies, each of whom played a half.”
In a 15-7 win, MacKay scored four and Grenon and Young each scored three; Constantopoulis and Shognosh were also impressive in goal, turning aside several key Knighthawk shots. Their mentor, Zach Higgins, had to be very proud.
The defensive group romped on the turf, highlighted by goals from Mitch de Snoo and Dylan Robinson. Several rushes up the new turf came from Steve Priolo, Matt Spanger, and Paul Dawson, who is entering his 20th training camp.
Big Daws
Having played in 338 games overall, including every game since the 2017 season, and with four championship rings, Dawson is sticking to his iron-clad approach to camp and his support for the younger players.
“Nope, it’s been working for 20. We’ll keep it going,” said Dawson. “I am someone who can be relied on to answer questions and help the younger guys trying to make the team take the next step.”
A player like ’26 first-rounder Dante Bowen?
“It’s exciting to see him go sixth overall. He’s super athletic and hard for anyone to get by. Probably won’t have to teach him too much one-on-one, but maybe the two-man game will help in that regard.”
Summer Wind
To stay in top mental and physical shape, Dawson played summer ball with the Tonawanda Braves in the Can/Am Senior B league and had a great experience playing within Indigenous communities, relishing their passion for the game. The Braves, along with teammate Zack Belter, made it to the finals but lost in the sixth game of the series.
Mickey
MacKay played both halves of Sunday’s preseason game, showcasing his talents on both ends of the field and making him the most versatile player in the NLL. Entering his eighth season, the former first-round pick (fourth overall) and ’25 playoff MVP is set to take on a greater leadership role.
“With Bucky and Vno retiring this year, especially Bucky, who was so vocal and such a good leader on and off the floor, it’s an opportunity (for me) to step up, be a little more vocal, be a good leader, and show some of the younger and new guys the Bandit way and how we do things here,” said MacKay, who had a career-high 58 regular-season points last year.
“We have a ton of great leaders in the room, but it’s a cool opportunity for me.”
Sign Here
Signing a three-year contract this past July solidified MacKay’s presence on the Bandits with his Swiss Army Knife talents, including faceoffs (502), caused turnovers (110), loose balls (910), and a 153+162=315 scoring total in just 144 overall games.
“It was something that Chugger and I dealt with starting around the trade deadline last year, being able to hammer that down and not worrying about free agency.”
Media Day on October 30, 2026 at KeyBank Center.
“There is nowhere else I want to be than in Banditland, so I am happy we got that out of the way and now look forward to the season.”
Hey, Down There..
The late, great Bear Bryant, Alabama’s head football coach, insisted on watching practice from a tall scaffold built near the sidelines. Although they didn’t have the digital video technology we have today, Coach Bryant was said to have a keen eye for the positional flow of the play. He didn’t need to watch practice film.
Bandits head coach John Tavares follows the same path in preseason games, watching from upper seats of a venue.
“I think you get a better perspective from the stands, so I can get a bird’s-eye view of everything that is happening and why the players are doing what they are doing,” said Tavares.
“On the floor, you can definitely see the intensity of what is going on; it’s a different feel. You see a lot more on-ball things.”
On the Road Again
Training Camp ’26 continues for the Bandits as the club moves to St. Catharines for a practice on Friday and a preseason game on Saturday evening at 7 pm against the Las Vegas Desert Dogs at the Meridian Centre.
Game Info
The game is open to the public, with limited general admission tickets remaining. Go to ticketmaster.ca or view event information on the Meridian Centre Events Page at meridiancentre.com