Canisius College men's lacrosse head coach Randy Mearns announced the addition of 16 players to the 2013 Golden Griffin roster. The 16 newcomers include three high school All-Americans and hail from four states as the team attempts to defend its 2012 MAAC Championship.

"As a staff, we are really excited about this incoming class," Mearns said. "We brought in talented and athletic players at key positions and believe that this group has what it takes to help us win another conference championship.

"As the game continues to evolve, we are trying to be ahead of the curve and bring in athletic defenders who get up the field, midfielders who excel on both sides of the field and attackers that can both dodge and be strong finishers. The game is faster right now and with this class, we were able to bring in a lot of athleticism and players that can get up and down the field. This freshman class has all the intangibles needed to succeed at Division I lacrosse."

The Griffs return 21 letterwinners from the team that won the program's second MAAC Championship last season and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

Newcomers
Ryan Bahn • LSM
Tavernier, Fla./Coral Shores HS
Earned four letters at Coral Shores High School • Collected first-team all-district and all-league accolades.

Brendan Barren • LSM
Buffalo, N.Y./West Seneca West HS
Two-year captain and three-time Defensive MVP at West Seneca West High School • Accumulated 22 goals, 16 assists and 185 ground balls during his senior campaign • Owns the school records for ground balls in a season (185) and in a career (490) • Named a 2012 US Lacrosse High School All-American • Also earned first-team All-Western New York honors in 2012 and first-team All-ECIC in 2011 • Selected to the Champion All-American Showcase.

Briele Caples • M
Irondequoit, N.Y./West Irondequoit HS
Two-time MVP at West Irondequoit High School • Totaled 40 goals and 12 assists with the Eagles • Collected all-county honors.

Patrick Gilman • M
Angola, N.Y./Lake Shore HS
Played four seasons at Lake Shore High School • Collected Team MVP honors • Totaled 80 points, 40 goals and 40 assists • Also a member of the football team at Lake Shore, collecting team MVP honors as a junior and senior.

Vince Gravino • A
Westlake, Ohio/St. Edward HS
Earned four letters at St. Edward High School • Totaled 86 points, 60 goals and 26 assists during his senior campaign • Named a 2012 US Lacrosse High School All-American • Member of the Midwest Team at the 2011 Under Armour Underclassmen All-Star Game.

Billy Jacobbi • M
Williamsville, N.Y./Williamsville South HS
Earned four letters at Williamsville South High School • Collected 135 goals and 68 assists during his career • Posted 63 points, 38 goals and 25 assists as a senior • Two-time Team MVP • Named to the all-league team on three occasions.

Kevin Lalley • M (Senior)
Orchard Park, N.Y./Towson University/Orchard Park HS
Played three seasons with the Towson Tigers • Appeared in 42 games, totaling three goals, 21 ground balls and 14 caused turnovers • Earned four letters at Orchard Park High School • Totaled 85 goals and 76 assists during his career and 38 goals and 38 assists as a senior • Collected All-America honors • Named to the All-Western New York First Team.

Jack Lally • M
Clarence, N.Y./Clarencre HS
Played six years of lacrosse at Clarence High School • Earned second-team All-ECIC honors.

Jimmy May • M
Lake View, N.Y./Frontier HS
Spent four seasons with the lacrosse team at Frontier High School • Accumulated 84 goals, 42 assists and 192 ground balls during his career • Registered 44 goals, 22 assists and 91 ground balls as a senior • Named a Section VI All-Star in 2012 • Earned first-team All-Western New York honors as a senior and second-team accolades as a sophomore and junior.

Tyrone Reaves • M (Sophomore)
Rochester, N.Y./Brighton HS
Played one season at Brighton High School • Totaled four assists and 15 ground balls from the midfield.

Conor Reilly • LSM
Huntington, N.Y./Huntington HS
Earned four letters at Huntington High School • Led the Blue Devils in both ground balls and caused turnovers, while netting three goals • Collected All-Suffolk County honors in 2012.

Rich Stapleton • D
Rome, N.Y./Rome Free Academy
Two-time team captain at Rome Free Academy • Earned first-team all-section honors • Totaled three goals, two assists and 69 ground balls as a senior • Member of the Upstate New York Team at the 2011 Under Armour Underclassmen All-Star Game.

Brad Thomas • A
Lewiston, N.Y./Niagara Wheatfield HS
Played four seasons at Niagara Wheatfield High School • Two-time team captain with the Falcons • Recipient of the 2012 Tewaaraton Outstanding Native American Scholarship. • Named Niagara Gazette Lacrosse Athlete of the Year • Collected second-team All-Western New York honors.

Nick Tuttle • M
Castle Rock, Colo./Castle View HS
Earned four letters at Castle View High School • Two-time Team MVP • Totaled 104 goals and 51 assists during his career and 43 goals and 21 assists as a senior • Collected first-team all-state honors in 2012 • Earned first-team all-league honors twice.

Mike Vavonese • M
Syracuse, N.Y./Christian Brothers Academy
Played three seasons at Christian Brothers Academy • Captained the team his senior season • Earned all-league accolades in 2012 • Posted 29 goals and 53 assists during his career in addition to a 61 faceoff percentage.

Jeff Wilson • GK
Getzville, N.Y./Williamsville East HS
Earned three letters at Williamsville East High School • Received honorable mention to the US Lacrosse All-America Team in 2011 and 2012 • Named team's Defensive MVP in 2012 • Earned first-team All-ECIC honors on two occasions • Also received honorable mention to the All-Western New York Team as a junior and senior • Played for the Nike Upstate Risings Western Region Lacrosse Team and in the All-Western New York Exceptional Senior All-Star Game in 2012 • Collected US Lacrosse Academic All-America accolades in 2012.