Run Forest Run
Running at a torrid pace, both literally and figuratively, the Bandits continued their training camp step-by-step, position drill after position drill.
And there were plenty of steps taken.
Decked out in their new performance duds from Castore, the NLL’s new athletic clothing sponsor, the team lined up in five rows marked by orange cones on one restraining line. The task: Run hard.
Beep, Beep, Beep
Each wave of Bandits players had to perform shuttle runs under the watchful eye of the training staff and support personnel, accompanied by computer countdown beeps and upbeat music.
With clipboard personnel at each orange cone, players ran three-hundred-yard jaunts that had to be done in 60 seconds. Separated by a three-minute rest, each player ran three hundred non-stop yards again and again.
And then…
The players ran 150-yard shuttles in 30 seconds, with a 90-second break, again and again.
“You need to hit those times, trying to recover quick, simulating a shift,” said Ian MacKay, who, like many Bandit veterans, completed the “shuttle” session with outstanding performances.
“It’s as close to game-realistic as you can get.”
Numbers Confidential
Dhane Smith finished first in every flight, representing just how determined the 11-year veteran is. Steve Priolo, Kyle Buchanan, Nick Weiss, and Chase Fraser also ran well.
Bandits hopeful Christian Watts stayed up with solid strides.
“The conditioning of all the guys was impressive, but watching some of our vets makes you realize how driven they are,” said Bandits GM and defensive coordinator Steve Dietrich.
The shuttle session was filled with good-natured chirps and enthusiastic chants from the Bandits players, encouraging each to stick with the running and drive hard.
Deep Thoughts
Perched atop the viewing deck of the TRAC facility, I realized again that this group of Bandits, including new faces and rookies, really enjoys each other and truly is a band of brothers.
“We have a very talented bunch with guys who are willing to go the extra mile for each other,” said defenseman Matt Spanger, who looks superb after being sidelined with an injury last season at the 10-game mark.
“We’ve been building off the same core since 2019, adding in some new pieces with good character guys. Everyone is friends off the floor, and that translates to the play on the floor. There are no egos; when you put that all together, we’re in a good spot.”
The Boys
I was just watching Amazon Prime’s new series, “The Seventh Game,” which dedicates each episode to teams that compete in a seventh and deciding championship game.
The second episode was a reprisal of the documentary “The Boys on the Bus,” which covered the 1986-87 season and the Stanley Cup champion Edmonton Oilers.
Flavored with current-day remarks from the then producers, Mark Messier, broadcaster Elliotte Friedman, and others, I couldn’t help but think of the Bandits and their championship runs.
We are the Bandits
The hurt of losing, the perseverance, the trials and tribulations, the winning—back-to-back—and there is more at stake.
“We have the same core group of guys since I’ve been here,” said MacKay. “It’s the brotherhood we’ve built and how close we are.
Our group chats are always going. Guys are doing these run tests, continually chirping and having fun with it. We have a pretty good leadership group, and we are tight-knit.”
You Must Watch
To further amplify this talented and likable group of Bandits players, I encourage you to watch or rewatch last season’s final episode of “The Dhane and Josh Show” available on bandits.com and YouTube.
In a relaxed setting, Josh, Dhane, Chis Cloutier, Chase Fraser, and MacKay shared their personal feelings about last season and their playoff run to win the NLL Championship—again.
No guys like me asking questions. No reporters in a cluster. Just five players are telling all of us their unedited feelings, many of which pay tribute to you, the fans of Banditland.
It’s truly one of the best 60-plus minutes to watch, and it further confirms that this is a great team on a dynasty path.
Preseason Game
The Bandits play their first preseason game on Saturday, November 16, in St. Catharines Meridian Centre against the Las Vegas Desert Dogs. The faceoff time is 7 pm. Tickets are available at the door or here.
The game proceeds will support August’s 2025 Minto Cup in the Meridian Centre.