Info & Register

Boys Jr. Bandits Elite

Boys Jr. Bandits Elite is a competitive box lacrosse tournament program for boys in Grades 9/10 and 11/12. The program gives players the opportunity to continue developing their box lacrosse skills through practices led by experienced coaches while competing against programs from across the United States and Canada.

Teams will compete in three tournaments during the winter season, with practices held throughout November, December, and January. Tournament dates and locations are subject to change.

Teams will be coached by former NLL pro Mike McNamara and local coaches AC Watt, Tylor John, and Herb John. At least one current Buffalo Bandits player will also assist with tryouts and team practice sessions.

Tryout Dates

The tryout fee is $30 and includes a Jr. Bandits practice pinnie. Players who were rostered on a 2025–26 Jr. Bandits Elite tournament team or the 2026 USBOXLA Championships team will have the tryout fee waived.

Players are not required to attend both tryout dates but are strongly encouraged to attend both sessions to give coaches the best opportunity to fully evaluate each player.

Monday, October 19

• Grade 9/10: 6:00–7:30 PM

• Grade 11/12: 7:30–9:00 PM

Monday, October 26

• Grade 9/10: 6:00–7:30 PM

• Grade 11/12: 7:30–9:00 PM

Team Fee

The team fee is still being finalized and is expected to be approximately $950. Players who do not need to purchase a new uniform can expect the fee to be approximately $75 less.

A $200 non-refundable deposit will be due upon acceptance of a roster spot.

The team fee includes:

• Coaching

• Practice floor time

• Entry into all three tournaments

• Jr. Bandits jersey

• Jr. Bandits shorts

• Jr. Bandits shooter shirt

• Five ticket vouchers redeemable for a 2026–27 Buffalo Bandits regular-season home game, pending availability

A current USBOXLA membership is also required and must be purchased separately.

Travel, hotels, meals, and other personal expenses are not included in the team fee.

To register for a USBOXLA membership, please follow this link: USBOXLA Membership

Practice Dates

Both teams will practice from 7:00–9:00 PM on the following dates unless otherwise noted. 

• Wednesday, November 11
• Saturday, November 28 - 1:30-3:30 PM subject to change
• Tuesday, December 8
• Tuesday, December 15
• Sunday, January 2 - 1:00-3:00 PM subject to change
• One more practice date TBD

Tournaments

Border Wars

Location:
Utica University Nexus Center
300 Oriskany St. W
Utica, NY 13502

Dates:
December 18–20, 2026

Per the tournament, games are expected to begin around 11:00 AM on Friday, with the final games ending no later than 4:00 PM on Sunday.

Border Wars Tournament Website

This is a stay-to-play tournament. Hotel information will be provided to players selected to the roster.

Midwest Classic

Location:
Resolute Athletic Complex
3599 Chiller Lane
Columbus, OH 43219

Dates:
January 16–18, 2027

Midwest Classic Tournament Website

This is a stay-to-play tournament. Hotel information will be provided to players selected to the roster.

Great Lax Box Classic

We are still waiting on confirmation from this tournament. If we are not accepted to this tournament we will attend a different tournament.

Location:
High Velocity Sports
46245 Michigan Ave
Canton, MI 48188

Dates:
January 23–24, 2027

Great Lax Box Classic Tournament Website

This is a stay-to-play tournament. Hotel information will be provided to players selected to the roster.

Please note: Transportation, hotels, meals, and other travel expenses are not included in the team registration fee.

Equipment

Players are required to provide the following equipment:

• Helmet with cage
• Shoulder pads
• Arm guards
• Bicep pads
• Kidney pads
• Mouth guard
• Gloves
• Sneakers
• Stick (short pole; no wooden sticks. Goalies must use spoons.)

Team Fee

The team fee is still being finalized and is expected to be approximately $950. Players who do not need to purchase a new uniform can expect the fee to be approximately $75 less.

A $200 non-refundable deposit will be due upon acceptance of a roster spot.

The team fee includes:

• Coaching
• Practice floor time
• Entry into all three tournaments
• Jr. Bandits jersey
• Jr. Bandits shorts
• Jr. Bandits shooter shirt
• Five ticket vouchers redeemable for a 2026–27 Buffalo Bandits regular-season home game, pending availability

A current USBOXLA membership is also required and must be purchased separately.

Travel, hotels, meals, and other personal expenses are not included in the team fee.

To register for a USBOXLA membership, please follow this link: USBOXLA Membership

Other Information

Should a team qualify for the 2027 USBOXLA Championship Tournament, a separate tryout and practice schedule will be announced in the summer months.

For questions regarding tournament hotels, USBOXLA memberships, team fee payment schedules, or other program information, please contact Ian MacKay at ian.mackay@bandits.com or Dan Ristine at dan.ristine@bandits.com.

Follow Jr. Bandits Youth Lacrosse

Instagram & X: @BanditsYouthLax
Facebook: @Bandits Youth Lacrosse