Jr. Bandits BLL Coaches

Brett Beetow joins the Jr. Bandits Box Lacrosse League coaching staff, bringing experience as both a professional player and collegiate coach. Selected 58th overall by the Georgia Swarm in the 2022 NLL Draft, Beetow has also suited up for the Halifax Thunderbirds.

A graduate of St. Bonaventure University, Beetow was a two-year team captain for the Bonnies, helping lead the program to a MAAC regular season title and an appearance in the conference championship game. Following his playing career, he was named an assistant coach at St. Bonaventure for the 2025 season, continuing his connection to the program.

Before returning to the collegiate sidelines, Beetow served as an assistant coach at Lancaster High School, helping guide the team to a Section Championship. A former High School All-American, Beetow brings a strong blend of playing and coaching experience to the Jr. Bandits program.

Zack Belter returns to coach in the Jr. Bandits Box Lacrosse League for his third season. A key member of the Buffalo Bandits’ championship defense, Belter has helped the team capture three consecutive NLL titles (2023, 2024, 2025) since being selected in the first round (19th overall) of the 2022 NLL Draft.

Internationally, Belter represented Team USA at the 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championships, where he earned a silver medal. He has also competed at the Senior level in the OLA with the Brooklin Redmen and in the Can-Am League with the Tonawanda Braves and Tuscarora Tomahawks.

A native of Wheatfield, NY, Belter starred at Niagara-Wheatfield High School, where he was a U.S. Lacrosse All-American, All-Western New York First Team selection, and NYS Scholar-Athlete. He went on to play five seasons of Division I lacrosse at St. Bonaventure University, earning MAAC All-Conference honors as a junior and First Team All-Conference as a senior. That same season, he helped lead one of the nation’s top defensive units, ranked top-10 nationally in nearly every category. Belter also appeared on ESPN’s SportsCenter Top 10 Plays and graduated as the Bonnies’ all-time leader in caused turnovers and second all-time in ground balls.

Off the floor, Belter has served as an assistant coach at SUNY Morrisville and with the Buffalo Bandits Jr. NLL teams, continuing to share his passion and knowledge of the game with the next generation of players.

Ron John, from Angola, NY, brings a wealth of experience to the Jr. Bandits program as both a player and coach. A standout at Lake Shore High School, John was a three-time team MVP (2014–2016) and earned Second Team All-WNY honors in both 2015 and 2016.

He went on to compete at the NCAA Division I level for the University at Albany, where he was part of one of the nation’s premier lacrosse programs. Internationally, John represented the Iroquois Nationals as a member of the U19 team that competed in the 2016 World Games.

Following his collegiate career, he was selected 18th overall by the Colorado Mammoth in the second round of the 2020 NLL Draft. He currently serves as an assistant coach for Lake Shore High School’s field lacrosse program and the Seneca War Chiefs Junior B team.

Ian MacKay returns for his seventh season coaching in the Jr. Bandits Box Lacrosse League. A key contributor to the Buffalo Bandits’ three consecutive NLL Championships (2023–2025), MacKay was named NLL Finals MVP in 2025, earned Second Team All-League honors in 2024, and was a 2019 NLL All-Rookie Team selection after finishing as a finalist for Rookie of the Year. He was originally selected 4th overall in the 2018 NLL Draft by the Bandits.

Internationally, MacKay represents Team Canada, winning gold at the 2024 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship, and has also competed in the OLA with the Six Nations Chiefs, capturing two Mann Cups. In field lacrosse, he was drafted 13th overall by the Chesapeake Bayhawks (MLL) in 2018 and played in the PLL for the Archers and Chaos, winning a PLL Championship with the Chaos in 2021.

A native of Port Elgin, Ontario, MacKay played four years of Division I lacrosse at the University of Vermont, serving as team captain (2017–2018) and earning multiple accolades, including America East Offensive Player of the Year (2016), First Team All-ECAC (2016, 2018), and several All-Conference and All-Tournament honors.

Off the floor, MacKay has been instrumental in developing the next generation of players as coach of the Bandits Jr. NLL Teams, Jr. Bandits Elite Teams, and as a founding coach of the Jr. Bandits Girls Box Lacrosse program. He also coaches in the Upstate Collegiate Box Lacrosse League, leading the Buffaloes to a second-place finish at the 2025 National Collegiate Box Championships.

Tehoka Nanticoke returns to coach in the Jr. Bandits Box Lacrosse League for his fifth season. Drafted 3rd overall by the Buffalo Bandits in the 2021 NLL Draft, Nanticoke has been a key part of the team’s three consecutive NLL Championships (2023–2025), establishing himself as one of the league’s most dynamic offensive players.

Internationally, Nanticoke proudly represents Haudenosaunee lacrosse, earning bronze medals at the 2018 and 2023 World Field Championships, a silver medal at the 2019 World Indoor Championship, and another bronze at the 2024 World Indoor Championship.

A graduate of IMG Academy, Nanticoke went on to play collegiately at the University at Albany, where he was a standout for the Great Danes.

Off the floor, Nanticoke serves as an assistant coach for the Niagara University women’s lacrosse team, helping lead the program to its first conference championship and NCAA tournament appearance in school history. He also plays a key role in developing local youth talent as a member of the coaching staff for the Jr. Bandits Elite Tournament Teams and Bandits Jr. NLL Teams.

Lukas Nielsen returns for his second season coaching in the Jr. Bandits Box Lacrosse League. Selected 7th overall in the first round of the 2024 NLL Draft by the Buffalo Bandits, Nielsen made his NLL debut on March 21, 2025, scoring his first career goal on his first shot.

He earned MVP honors in the 2024 BC Junior A Lacrosse League while playing for the New Westminster Jr. Salmonbellies, establishing himself as one of the league’s top young players.

Nielsen continues to develop his skills on the floor while sharing his knowledge and passion for the game with the next generation of players as a member of the Jr. Bandits coaching staff.

Ethan O’Connor brings over a decade of professional experience and a passion for player development to the Jr. Bandits program. A two-time NLL Champion and current defensive coach with St. Catharines Junior B, Ethan has coached athletes from youth to the collegiate level, helping more than 20 players reach NLL opportunities through his work with the Buffaloes of the UCBLL.

A first-round NLL draft pick in 2013, Ethan has played 11 seasons and over 190 career games with Toronto, Georgia, Buffalo, Rochester, and Albany/Oshawa—earning championships with the Georgia Swarm (2017) and Buffalo Bandits (2023). He has also represented Team USA at the World Box Lacrosse Championships in 2019 and 2024.

Before his professional career, Ethan played NCAA Division I lacrosse at Hobart College, where he was a three-time ECAC All-Academic honoree and recipient of the Van Arsdale Award for leadership and determination.

Ethan is dedicated to teaching fundamentals, fostering confidence, and helping young players develop a lifelong love for the game.

Tylor John joins the Jr. Bandits Box Lacrosse League for his first season in 2025. He also serves as a coach with the Jr. Bandits Elite program, Orange Crush Buffalo, and the St. Joe’s Marauders.

John brings experience coaching at the youth, high school, and collegiate levels. He began his coaching career at Depew High School, where he guided the program through its first sanctioned season in Section VI. After five seasons at Depew, he joined the D’Youville University men’s lacrosse staff, helping the program secure its first win in school history. Most recently, John joined the Sweet Home High School coaching staff for the 2025 season.

A veteran player in the Can-Am Lacrosse League, John has competed with the Buffalo Creek Thunder, Newtown Golden Eagles, and Tuscarora Tomahawks. He has also represented Poland in multiple international tournaments with their developmental teams.