Tamas lands with Bandits
All Alec Tamas wanted was a chance.
The 21-year-old former St. Catharines Athletics’ defender was bypassed in the National Lacrosse League draft, so he went to work contacting teams hoping to secure a tryout.
“After the draft, I reached out to a couple of teams and so did (A’s coach) Steve Toll for me just to try and get a tryout,” said Tamas, a 21-year-old sport management major at Brock.
The hard work paid off as Tamas was able to secure a contract with the Buffalo Bandits.
“Luckily, Buffalo gave me that chance and I’m pretty excited for it,” he said. “I signed a one-year contract and go to training camp and if they decide to keep me that contract will hold up for the year or they can release me and I become a free agent.”
Tamas can’t wait to prove himself.
“It’s super exciting. I was disappointed going undrafted,” the St. Francis graduate said. “I felt like I was better than some of the players who went, especially in the later rounds.
“I just knew I needed a chance just to prove myself to the coaches so I’m just looking forward to making the most of this opportunity and hopefully change the minds of some people in the league.”
Tamas brings a lot to the table. In addition to being a reliable, tough, stay-at-home defender, he is also a solid presence in the dressing room and a leader on the floor.
“Alec is a perfect example as to where we see our program going; players prepared to move on and play at the next level,” A’s general manager Jeff Chcoski said. ” He’s a five-year Athletic with great character and work ethic. We’re proud that he’s making the jump to the pro level.”
Tamas was a key contributor as the A’s had one of their best seasons in recent memory. They seem primed to take a run at an Ontario Lacrosse Association championship in 2019.
“That experience is definitely going to help a lot,” Tamas said, of his time with the Athletics. “Just having to raise my game to another level night in and night out is definitely something I am going to have to do going forward with my career.”
When the A’s were finally eliminated last summer, no one took it harder than Tamas.
“I’m going to miss them a lot,” he said. “I’ve played with some of those guys my entire life from when I was 10. It’s going to be different. I’m not going to play with some of those guys again but I’m looking forward to coming back to The Jack next summer and getting to watch them grow and become better lacrosse players and hopefully get a chance to play in the NLL with them one day.”
Tamas, who is a member of the Brock field lacrosse team, is working out to get ready for training camp next month.
“I think the biggest thing is the speed of the game. There is a big jump between junior and the NLL. I’m definitely working on that the most, getting my foot speed up as well as my feet.”
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