Matt Vinc

Matt Vinc, born on June 9, 1982, in St. Catharines, Ontario, has established himself as a prominent figure in professional box lacrosse. His career began with an outstanding junior run playing for the St. Catharines Athletics from 1999 to 2003. During this period, Vinc secured multiple accolades, including one OLA Jr.A regular season MVP award, three OLA Jr.A playoff MVP awards, and three OLA Jr.A championships (2001-2003). He also contributed to two Minto Cup National championships in 2001 and 2003, earning the Minto Cup MVP Award and the B.W. Evans Award for Top Graduating Player. Before his professional career, Vinc played high school field lacrosse at Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School, where he achieved 2 gold medals, 1 silver, and 1 bronze at the OFSAA field lacrosse championships. He later attended Canisius University, where he played long-stick defense and was named the college’s Male Athlete of the Year.

Vinc was drafted sixth overall by the San Jose Stealth in the 2005 NLL entry draft. After a brief stint, he was acquired by the New York Titans in the 2006 NLL expansion draft, where he became the starting goaltender in 2007. A significant turning point in his NLL career occurred in 2010 when, after the Orlando Titans franchise dissolved, he was chosen first overall in the dispersal draft by the Colorado Mammoth. Due to his teaching commitments in St. Catharines, Ontario, he was subsequently traded to the Rochester Knighthawks, a move that involved a substantial exchange of players. Vinc has demonstrated remarkable longevity and consistency, notably achieving a record eight NLL Goaltender of the Year awards throughout his career. His dedication extends to meticulous preparation, including recording and journaling his offseason workouts to maintain peak performance even into his 40s. He is currently a teacher and lacrosse coach at Denis Morris Catholic High School.

In his ongoing tenure with the Buffalo Bandits, Vinc continues to be a cornerstone of the team’s defense. At 42 years old, he played a critical role in securing the 2023 and 2024 NLL Cups. His exceptional performance was highlighted in a recent game against the Rochester Knighthawks, where he achieved a career-high and Bandits record of 62 saves in a 13-6 victory. This performance underscored his continued dominance in the league, leading in goals allowed per game, saves per game, and save percentage. His consistent high-level play and leadership make him a valuable asset to the Bandits, earning him the description of the team’s “backbone” by fellow players. He has signed a two-year deal with the Buffalo Bandits, indicating his continued commitment to the sport.