They’ll sit idle through the entire first round, but the Buffalo Bandits will host the National Lacrosse League draft at 7 p.m. today at HSBC Arena.
Fans will not be allowed to attend because it is closed to the public, but they can track the picks online at NLL.com. The draft will be six rounds and players will be selected from top NCAA and NAIA college teams as well as Canada’s junior lacrosse system, according to NLL.com.
The Bandits traded their first-round-pick to Minnesota, but the team has three second-round picks as well as a third-round pick, two fourth rounders, and a sixth-round selection. With no first-round pick, the Bandits will miss out on some the draft’s elite prospects but with seven picks overall, they have several chances to bolster their team. The Bandits’ priorities in this year’s draft are to add some youth, size nd depth to a team that finished tied atop the East Division last season.
“We would like to add at least one true rookie, we haven’t had one the last couple of years, also to increase depth at left end and add size,” said Derek Graham, Bandits assistant coach. “Johnny Tavares isn’t going to be able to run forever.”
According to Graham, the Bandits volunteered to hold the draft at HSBC Arena this year.
“Each team has to do their part in helping the league. Buffalo hasn’t done it in a while,” Graham said.
Graham acknowledges that players like Tavares and Mark Steenhuls provided the Bandits with plenty of scoring last season, but the goaltending played a big part in the team’s success.
“We have two solid goaltenders,” Graham said of Ken Montour and Mike Thompson.
The Bandits look to continue their winning tradition and take another step toward winning the 2009 championship, and it all starts with the draft today.
NLL DRAFT
• WHEN: 7 p.m.
• WHERE: HSBC Arena
• NOTES: Not open to public
• WEB: Follow the picks on NLL.com
Sports
September 2, 2009
LACROSSE: NLL Draft coming to HSBC Arena
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