Josh Byrne Bio
Josh Byrne is a Canadian professional lacrosse player for the Buffalo Bandits of the National Lacrosse League and Six Nations Chiefs of Major Series Lacrosse. He was born on April 15, 1994, in New Westminster, British Columbia. Byrne played collegiately at Hofstra University and has achieved notable success, winning multiple championships with both the Chaos and the Bandits. He was named the NLL MVP in 2024 and has been recognized as Rookie of the Year in 2017.
Early Life and Background
Josh Byrne was born in New Westminster, British Columbia, to an Irish father and a Trinidadian mother. He attended New Westminster Secondary School, where he began his journey in lacrosse, playing junior lacrosse for his hometown New Westminster Salmonbellies in the BC Junior A Lacrosse League. Byrne’s early exposure to the sport laid the foundation for his future career. He further developed his skills at ASA College and Nassau Community College before transferring to Hofstra University. During his time at Hofstra from 2016 to 2017, Byrne made a significant impact, scoring 71 goals and accumulating 111 points in just 29 games.
Path to Lacrosse
Byrne’s professional journey began when he was drafted first overall in the 2016 Western Lacrosse Association draft by the Burnaby Lakers. In his tenure with the Lakers, he played 16 regular season games, scoring 12 goals and providing 33 assists. His exceptional performance caught the attention of scouts, leading to his selection first overall in the 2017 NLL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Bandits. This marked the beginning of a promising career in the National Lacrosse League.
Josh Byrne Career
Early Career (2017-2018)
Josh Byrne’s professional career officially commenced in 2017 when he joined the Buffalo Bandits. In his rookie season, he was awarded the Rookie of the Year title, showcasing his talent and potential in the league. Additionally, he played for the Chesapeake Bayhawks in Major League Lacrosse during the same period, contributing to his growth as a player.
Breakthrough (2019-Present)
Byrne’s breakthrough came with the Buffalo Bandits, where he quickly established himself as a key player. He reached the NLL Cup Finals in 2019 and 2022, ultimately winning the NLL Cup in 2023, 2024, and 2025. His contributions to the team were instrumental in their success, and he was recognized as the NLL MVP in 2024. In the Premier Lacrosse League, Byrne played for Chaos Lacrosse Club, helping the team secure a championship in 2021 and appearing in the championship games in 2020 and 2022.
Notable Works and Milestones
Josh Byrne’s signature achievements include being named Rookie of the Year in 2017, winning the NLL MVP in 2024, and contributing to multiple championship victories with the Buffalo Bandits and Chaos Lacrosse Club. His impressive statistics and consistent performance have solidified his status as one of the top players in lacrosse.
Josh Byrne Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Josh Byrne has received several nominations, including the prestigious Rookie of the Year award in 2017 and the NLL MVP award in 2024, reflecting his impact on the sport.
Josh Byrne Awards Won
Josh Byrne has achieved notable success in his lacrosse career, including winning the Rookie of the Year award in 2017 and the NLL MVP award in 2024. He has also been part of championship-winning teams, including the Buffalo Bandits and Chaos Lacrosse Club.
Josh Byrne Family
Information regarding Josh Byrne’s family is limited and not publicly available.
Personal Life
In addition to his athletic career, Josh Byrne hosts a podcast titled The Dhane and Josh Show, alongside his teammate Dhane Smith. Both players have been vocal supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement, highlighting their commitment to social issues beyond the sport.
