Trade to East Division rival Bandits surprises Evans
Shawn Evans was surprised to be traded to the division rival Buffalo Bandits on Wednesday. The Peterborough native is quite happy to be closer to home after the New England Black Wolves moved the two-time National Lacrosse League MVP and a 2019 fourth-round draft pick in exchange for forward Callum Crawford and a 2019 secondround pick. “I wasn’t expecting the trade but now it’s happened and I find myself with Buffalo, a great team with great players, and also close to home,” Evans said. “I think it’s a great move overall.” Evans requested a trade from Calgary to New England three years ago to be closer to home but he said this time he never asked for a trade. He was a bit surprised because he helped take the team from last place to a conference final in his first year and three straight playoff appearances. At the same time, Evans said he sensed some changes within the team in how they were using him which made him think something might be up. “I think they wanted to go in a different direction. I didn’t know what they wanted to do but I could sense some changes happening,” he said. “I have nothing but good things to say about New England. I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my career as a Buffalo Bandit.” The New England arena at the Mohegan Sun Casino was not easy to get to. Evans used to drive to Toronto to catch a flight to Boston. Once in Boston it was another 90-minute drive. Including his waiting time at airports it was about a 6 ½-hour trip one way. He can drive to Buffalo with his new teammates Thomas Hoggarth and Nick Weiss, both Peterborough Century 21 Lakers teammates, in three hours. “It’s going to give an opportunity for my kids and my family to come down and watch me play a little bit more which is a good thing for everyone,” he said. “I know a bunch of guys in Buffalo including the great coaching staff they have there of Troy Cordingley, Rich Kilgour and John Tavares who was my idol and a guy I patterned my game after. Having Hoggarth and Weiss to commute with should make it a good experience.” The biggest surprise for Evans was to be dealt to a division rival. The Bandits are 6-4 and in first place in the East Division and New England 5-4 and in third place. “It’s definitely a strange move by New England which I didn’t see coming,” he said. “I don’t know what their though process was but maybe they were thinking about getting me a little closer to home if they were going to make a move because I gave them three good years. “I’m going to give Buffalo all I got and they know what they’re going to get. They’re going to get a guy who is ready to compete and is a warrior on the floor and who wants to win.” Evans won the MVP award in 2013 with Calgary and 2015 with New England. He led the league in scoring in both of those seasons. He is seventh in league history in assists and eighth in points. Evans is currently tied for seventh in the league with 51 points (18 goals, 33 assists) this season. He led the Black Wolves in assists and points and was second behind Kevin Crowley for goals. He’ll debut with Buffalo on Saturday when they visit the Colorado Mammoth.