Matt Vinc Bio
Matt Vinc is a Canadian professional box lacrosse goaltender who plays for the Buffalo Bandits of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) and for the Peterborough Lakers of Major Series Lacrosse (MSL). Standing 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) and weighing 220 lb (100 kg), he has built a reputation as one of the most consistent and decorated goaltenders in the modern game. Selected sixth overall by the San Jose Stealth in the 2005 NLL draft, he has spent nearly two decades anchoring top-level defenses in both North American leagues. Nicknamed “Vino,” Vinc is also a teacher and lacrosse coach at Denis Morris Catholic High School in his hometown of St. Catharines, Ontario.
Early Life and Background
Matt Vinc was born on June 9, 1982, in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. He grew up in a region with a strong lacrosse tradition and was introduced to the sport at a young age, which laid the foundation for his future career. He attended Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School, where he played high school field lacrosse for the Holy Cross Raiders. During his five years with the program, Vinc helped the Raiders capture two gold medals, one silver, and one bronze at the OFSAA field lacrosse championships, beginning a dynasty for Holy Cross lacrosse within Niagara and Ontario competition.
At Holy Cross, Vinc played alongside fellow future professionals Billy Dee Smith, Craig Conn, and Sean Greenhalgh, sharpening his skills in a competitive environment that pushed him toward higher levels of the game. His development during these formative years would later translate into standout performances in junior and college lacrosse. The discipline and structure of his early training continue to shape his approach to the goaltender position.
Path to Lacrosse
Vinc began his rise through the junior ranks with the St. Catharines Athletics of the OLA Junior A Lacrosse League from 1999 to 2003. During this stretch, he earned three Bob Meleville Memorial Awards for the fewest team goals against (2001, 2002, 2003), was named Playoffs MVP three times (2000, 2001, 2002), captured Finals MVP honors in 2001, won the B.W. Evans Award as the top graduating player in 2003, and was named OJLL Season MVP in 2003. He also helped lead the Athletics to two OJLL championships, establishing himself as one of the top young goaltending prospects in Canada.
Following his junior career, Vinc attended Canisius University, where he played long-stick defense and was named the college’s Male Athlete of the Year. His college experience rounded out his skill set and prepared him for the professional game. In 2005, he was selected sixth overall by the San Jose Stealth in the NLL Entry Draft, officially launching his professional career the following season.
Matt Vinc Career
Early Career (2006–2008)
Vinc made his professional debut in the 2006 NLL season with the San Jose Stealth, though he saw limited playing time during his rookie year. Following that season, he was acquired by the New York Titans in the 2006 NLL expansion draft. In 2007, Vinc took over the starting goaltender role for the Titans and immediately began to showcase his talent between the pipes. His poise and reflexes quickly earned him recognition across the league.
By 2008, Vinc had become a five-time All-Pro Team selection, cementing his status as one of the elite goaltenders in the NLL. His early performances set the stage for what would become a record-breaking run of Goaltender of the Year honors, beginning with his first such award in 2007.
New York/Orlando Titans Era (2006–2010)
With the Titans, Vinc emerged as a franchise cornerstone. In 2009, he guided his team to a 10–6 record, securing a three-way tie for first place in the Eastern Division with the Buffalo Bandits and the Boston Blazers. The Titans were awarded the Eastern Division regular season championship by way of tiebreakers. On May 9, in the Eastern Division playoff championship game, Vinc stopped 41 of 44 shots and held the high-powered Buffalo offense to just three goals in a 9–3 victory. His performance that night narrowly missed the NLL playoff record of two goals against in a single game, which was set by Bob Watson in 1999.
When the franchise relocated to Florida for the 2010 season, Vinc became a member of the Orlando Titans. After the team folded that same year, he was selected first overall in the dispersal draft by the Colorado Mammoth. However, because he teaches high school in St. Catharines, Vinc did not wish to relocate to Colorado. In October 2010, he was traded to the Rochester Knighthawks in a major deal that sent Vinc and transition player Matt Zash to Rochester in exchange for superstar attackman John Grant Jr. and defenseman Mac Allen, with additional draft picks also exchanged.
Rochester Knighthawks and Buffalo Bandits Era (2010–Present)
After his time in Rochester, Vinc joined the Buffalo Bandits, where he has continued to perform at an elite level. He has won a league-record eight Goaltender of the Year awards, earned in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015. He is also a five-time NLL All-Pro Team selection, recognized in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2014. Heading into the 2023 NLL season, Inside Lacrosse named Vinc the number two goaltender in the league, underscoring his continued excellence well into his career.
In addition to his NLL duties, Vinc has played in Major Series Lacrosse for several organizations, including the Peterborough Lakers, St. Catharines Athletics, Six Nations Chiefs, Brampton Excelsiors, and Victoria Shamrocks of the WLA. His experience across multiple leagues and teams has made him one of the most respected goaltenders in the sport.
Driving Style and Strengths
Vinc is widely recognized for his calm composure, sharp reflexes, and exceptional positioning in the crease. His ability to read opposing offenses and anticipate shot patterns has made him a consistent shot-stopper in high-pressure situations. A right-handed goaltender, he combines strong technical fundamentals with an aggressive shot-blocking mentality that has frustrated some of the league’s most potent attacks.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Vinc’s signature moments is his 41-save performance against the Buffalo Bandits in the 2009 Eastern Division playoff championship game, which fell just one goal shy of the NLL playoff record for fewest goals allowed. His eight Goaltender of the Year awards stand as a league record, and his consistent All-Pro selections reflect a career defined by sustained excellence at the highest level of indoor lacrosse.
Matt Vinc Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Matt Vinc has earned individual accolades that highlight his status as one of the top goaltenders in lacrosse history. His eight Goaltender of the Year awards are an NLL record, and he has been recognized as an NLL All-Pro on five occasions. In junior lacrosse, he led the St. Catharines Athletics to two OJLL championships and won the B.W. Evans Award as the top graduating player in 2003.
NLL Highlights
Vinc’s NLL highlights begin with his first Goaltender of the Year award in 2007, the same year he seized the starting role with the New York Titans. He went on to win the award seven more times, with his most recent recognition in 2015. His playoff performances have been equally memorable, including the 2009 Eastern Division playoff championship game in which he made 41 saves against the Buffalo Bandits.
Other Wins and Performances
In Major Series Lacrosse, Vinc has played for several organizations, including the Peterborough Lakers, St. Catharines Athletics, Six Nations Chiefs, Brampton Excelsiors, and Victoria Shamrocks of the WLA. He is also a member of Team Canada, representing his country on the international stage. His junior career accolades, including three Bob Meleville Memorial Awards, three Playoffs MVP honors, and a Finals MVP award, laid the groundwork for his professional success.
Matt Vinc Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Matt Vinc grew up in St. Catharines, Ontario, a region with deep roots in Canadian lacrosse. He attended Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School and later Canisius University, where he continued to develop as an athlete. His upbringing in the Niagara region’s strong lacrosse community helped shape his lifelong dedication to the sport.
Personal Life
Beyond lacrosse, Vinc is a teacher and lacrosse coach at Denis Morris Catholic High School in St. Catharines, Ontario. His decision to remain in the St. Catharines area has influenced key career decisions, including his trade from Colorado to Rochester in 2010. He continues to balance his professional playing career with his commitments to education and coaching.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 NLL season, Matt Vinc remains a key piece of the Buffalo Bandits organization, bringing nearly two decades of professional experience to the crease. His continued presence provides stability and leadership for a Bandits team consistently in championship contention. With his track record of elite performances, Vinc is expected to remain a central figure in the team’s playoff push.
Vinc’s role with the Peterborough Lakers in Major Series Lacrosse also keeps him active during the summer months, allowing him to maintain sharpness across two of North America’s top lacrosse leagues. His dual-league schedule has been a hallmark of his career and continues to shape his conditioning and form heading into each NLL campaign.
As one of the most decorated goaltenders in league history, Vinc’s 2025 outlook centers on contributing to another deep Bandits playoff run. His experience in high-pressure games, combined with his technical precision, makes him a reliable anchor in net. Fans and analysts alike will be watching to see how the veteran goaltender performs as he continues to build on his storied career.
