Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - A trio of Buffalo Bandits players have been named finalists for season honors following the 2024-25 regular season in the National Lacrosse League.
Bandits forward Dhane Smith continues his reign as one of the premier players of the NLL, as he's up for both Offensive Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player honors for 2025.
This season saw Smith broke his own NLL single-season assists record with 102, one higher than his total from last season. Meanwhile, his 134 points finished tied for the NLL lead with teammate Josh Byrne.
This is not the first time Smith has been up for MVP honors in his career, as he is a two-time MVP of the NLL in 2016 and 2022. He was also named the NLL Finals MVP two years ago when the Bandits defeated the Colorado Mammoth.
So far through three playoff games in 2025, the 32-year-old has 11 points (5+6), tied for second on the team behind transition player Ian MacKay.
The other two finalists for the NLL MVP award are Rochester Knighthawks forward Connor Fields and San Diego Seals forward Wes Berg.
Both Smith and Fields are contending for NLL Offensive Player of the Year with Ottawa Black Bears forward Jeff Teat.
Meanwhile, 42-year-old Matt Vinc has been nominated for Goaltender of the Year for the 10th time in his 19-year career. Vinc has already won the award eight times.
Vinc finished the 2024-25 regular season with a 10.71 goals-against average, which ended up third in the league among goaltenders to play over half the season. He also stopped over 79% of shots faced this year, which was tied for fourth.
So far through the playoffs, Vinc has looked unbeatable with just seven goals allowed, while turning away 92.2% of shots faced.
Also up for the NLL's Goaltender of the Year honor are Calgary Roughnecks goalie Nick Rose and Saskatchewan Rush netminder Frank Scrigliano.
As for forward Kyle Buchanan, the veteran has been named a finalist for the NLL's Sportsmanship Award for the fourth time in his career. The award celebrates a player who embodies exemplary sportsmanship values on and off the lacrosse field.
Buchanan is a past winner of the honor, winning back in 2015 as a member of the New England Black Wolves.
Buchanan finished third on the team in goals (34) and points (55) this season, and spent just four minutes total in the penalty box this season. He's been penalty-free this season since the Feb. 14 game against the Toronto Rock.
Over his Bandits career, Buchanan has registered just eight penalty minutes.
Also a finalist for the NLL Sportsmanship Award this season are Vancouver Warriors forward Keegan Bal and Georgia Swarm forward Lyle Thompson.
The winners will be announced ahead of Game 1 of the NLL Finals on May 16.
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