Joe Resetarits returned to the Buffalo Bandits ahead of the playoffs, following a March 9 trade from the Philadelphia Wings, according to an April 23 announcement. The move ended a three-year playoff drought for Resetarits and brought him back to his hometown team as they prepare for a first-round matchup against the Georgia Swarm.
Resetarits, who has scored more points than any other American-born player in National Lacrosse League history with 931, said that joining Buffalo at this stage of his career is especially meaningful. “This is what we play for,” Resetarits said. “Obviously the love of the game is always going to be there, but you play for these moments… Everyone in that locker room will say the same thing that this is what we want.”
The trade sent second-year forward Lukas Nielsen and a 2026 first-round pick to Philadelphia in exchange for Resetarits. He described learning about the trade as an emotional moment shared with his wife over the phone. Reflecting on his time with Philadelphia—a team now ending operations—Resetarits called it “demoralizing” as losses accumulated and uncertainty grew about his future.
Returning home was particularly significant for Resetarits, who grew up attending Bandit games and previously played briefly in Buffalo during 2014 and part of 2015 before spending time with four other teams. “I was born and raised here. The city means the world to me… To make it back here and play for something meaningful means the world to me,” he said.
Bandits general manager Steve Dietrich decided another offensive addition was needed after key wins against top-ranked teams earlier in the season; Resetarits immediately came to mind as a target before the deadline. Teammate Dhane Smith also welcomed him back: “It’s going to be one of those things where he’s going to score a lot of goals and a lot of big goals… I’m so excited to have him here.” Since rejoining Buffalo, Resetarits has contributed significantly on offense with multiple hat tricks across six games.
Looking ahead, both veteran experience and renewed motivation position both Resetarits and his team as contenders in their pursuit of another championship.
