Buffalo Bandits Announce Roster for 2006

[Sonny]

BUFFALO, NY (December 16, 2005) -- Buffalo Bandits Director of Lacrosse Operations Dave Zygaj announced the 23-man roster for the 2006 National Lacrosse League season and also announced the names of three players who will be on the Bandits' practice squad.

The Bandits return 16 players from last year's team, including John Tavares, who has played all 147 games of his National Lacrosse League career for Buffalo. Last season, Tavares became only the second player in NLL history to score 500 goals, 500 assists, and 1,000 points, and ranks second all-time in goals (517), assists (534), and points (1,051) behind the recently retired Gary Gait, who scored 596 goals and 495 assists for 1,091 career points.

Tavares is joined on the Bandits bench by fellow veteran Rich Kilgour. Kilgour is returning for his 13th season with the Bandits. In 2005, the Niagara Falls, N.Y.-native appeared in 11 games, recording two goals and four assists for six points and 18 penalty minutes while serving as the Bandits' captain. Tavares and Kilgour share the distinction of being the league's most tenured active players with the same team and are original Bandits, having been with the team since its inaugural season in 1992.

Also returning to the Bandits are defensemen Billy Dee Smith, Clay Hill, Chris White, Kyle Laverty, and Kyle Couling; midfielders A.J. Shannon, Mark Steenhuis, Pat McCready, Brian Kazarian, and Delby Powless; forwards Jon Harasym and Dan Teat, and goaltenders Steve Dietrich and Ryan Avery.

"I think we made the right decision on the 16 guys that we kept," said Bandits head coach Darris Kilgour. "We're trying to bring a new attitude to this team, and I think the changes we made reflect that and were made for the good of the team."

New to the Bandits are defensemen Troy Bonterre (acquired through a trade with Arizona) and Chris Langdale (did not play in 2005), forwards Lindsay Plunkett (traded to Buffalo with Bonterre), Cory Bomberry (acquired through a trade with Edmonton), Roger Vyse (rookie), and Kim Squire (did not play in 2005), and midfielder Jeff Shattler (rookie) to the 23-man roster. Goaltender Mike Poulin and forwards Jamie Rooney and Gene Tundo were named to the practice squad. Tyler Francey begins the season on the injured reserve.

No. Name Pos. Hometown
2 Troy Bonterre D Owen Sound, Ont.
3 Billy Dee Smith D St. Catharines, Ont.
5 Clay Hill D Six Nations, Ont.
6 Chris White D Peterborough, Ont.
7 Jon Harasym F Edmonton, Alta.
8 A.J. Shannon M Whitby, Ont.
9 Mark Steenhuis M St. Catharines
11 John Tavares F Toronto, Ont.
12 Lindsay Plunkett F Peterborough, Ont.
15 Dan Teat F Brampton, Ont.
16 Rich Kilgour M Niagara Falls, N.Y.
17 Kyle Laverty D Peterborough, Ont.
23 Pat McCready M St. Catharines, Ont.
27 Kyle Couling D Port Moody, B.C.
30 Steve Dietrich G Waterloo, Ont.
32 Chris Langdale D Burlington, Ont.
60 Ryan Avery G Hamilton, Ont.
72 Cory Bomberry F Six Nations, Ont.
77 Jeff Shattler M Brampton, Ont.
81 Roger Vyse F Six Nations, Ont.
93 Kim Squire F Six Nations, Ont.
97 Bryan Kazarian M Owen Sound, Ont.
99 Delby Powless M Hagersville, Ont.

Practice Squad
Mike Poulin G Orangeville, Ont.
Jamie Rooney F Kitchener, Ont.
Gene Tundo F Orchard Park, N.Y.