Six Former Griffs Set to Play in NLL This Season

When the National Lacrosse League begins its 34th season of competition on Friday, there will be plenty for Canisius men's lacrosse fans to cheer for as six former Golden Griffins have been named to opening-night rosters for the 2019-20 campaign.

Seven-time NLL Goaltender of the Year Matt Vinc '05 returns to the cage for the local Buffalo Bandits as his embarks on his 14th season in the league. Vinc joined the Bandits as a free agent last season and helped guide the squad to an appearance in the NLL Cup as he led the league in goals-against average (10.02) and ranked second in save percentage (.803). He earned 14 wins, which led all NLL goaltenders, set a personal best and established a Bandits franchise record for wins by a goalie in a single season.

In Toronto, Adam Jones '11 is back for his third campaign with the Toronto Rock. The 2012 NLL Rookie of the Year appeared in 12 regular-season games with the Rock, racking up 56 points on 25 goals and 31 assists before exploding for seven goals and nine assists in two postseason games as he helped guide Toronto to an appearance in the eastern conference finals.

Out west, former Griffs Dan Coates '11 and Tim Edwards '15 reunite for their third season together with the Colorado Mammoth.

Coates returned to the Colorado lineup after missing the previous season due to injury and appeared in all 18 regular-season games, tallying 11 points (1g, 10a), 68 loose balls and 18 caused turnovers. The fifth-year team captain also took part in both of the Mammoth's postseason contests.

Edwards, meanwhile, racked up four assists, 76 loose balls and 21 caused turnovers in 18 regular-season appearances last season while also serving as the Mammoth's main face off option, posting a .535 winning percentage at the face off X (189-of-353). Like Coates, Edwards also took part in both of Colorado's postseason games last season.

On the coast, Connor Kearnan '18 prepares for his second season with the San Diego Seals after helping the expansion franchise qualify for the playoffs in its inaugural campaign. In his first season of pro lacrosse, Kearnan took part in 12 contests, registering 12 goals and six assists to go along with 29 loose balls and 45 shots on goal.

The newest Griff looking to make his mark in the professional ranks is Holden Garlent '19, who became the eighth player in program history to be a first-round draft pick when the Saskatchewan Rush selected him fourth overall in September's entry draft.

In his three seasons with the Griffs, Garlent started all 48 games played recording a school-record 55 caused turnovers to go along with 110 ground balls, seven goals and seven assists. The two-time All-MAAC First Team selection led Canisius during the 2019 season with 26 caused turnovers and ranked second on the squad with 35 ground balls.

The National Lacrosse League (NLL) is North America's premier professional lacrosse league. Founded in 1986, the NLL ranks third in average attendance for pro indoor sports worldwide, behind only the NHL and NBA. The League is comprised of 13 franchises across the United States and Canada: Buffalo Bandits, Calgary Roughnecks, Colorado Mammoth, Georgia Swarm, Halifax Thunderbirds, New England Black Wolves, New York Riptide, Philadelphia Wings, Rochester Knighthawks, San Diego Seals, Saskatchewan Rush, Toronto Rock, and Vancouver Warriors. For more information, visit NLL.com and find the NLL on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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Players Mentioned

#92 Connor Kearnan: A; 5' 8"; Senior

#44 Holden Garlent: M; 6' 2"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#92 Connor Kearnan
: 5' 8"; Senior
: A

#44 Holden Garlent
: 6' 2"; Junior
: M

Players Mentioned

#92 Connor Kearnan

#44 Holden Garlent

Players Mentioned

#92 Connor Kearnan

#44 Holden Garlent