Steve Priolo Bio
Steve Priolo (born January 15, 1989) is a Canadian professional box lacrosse player for the Buffalo Bandits of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). A defensive anchor, he was drafted by the Bandits in 2009 and has been a fixture on the team’s back end since beginning his professional career in 2010. Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and listed at 234 pounds, Priolo uses his size and reach to play a physical, shutdown brand of lacrosse. He is also a three-time NLL Cup Champion, having helped Buffalo capture titles in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Early Life and Background
Steve Priolo was born on January 15, 1989, in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. He grew up in the Niagara region and attended Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School, where he emerged as a standout in both basketball and lacrosse. His early athletic path was split between the two sports, with basketball giving him footwork and court awareness that would later translate to the lacrosse floor.
His dual-sport background shaped his development as an athlete. By the time he finished high school, Priolo had built the kind of size and athleticism that made him a prospect in multiple sports, but lacrosse ultimately became his priority. The St. Catharines area has long been a hotbed for box lacrosse, which gave him a strong local pipeline into the game.
Path to Lacrosse
After high school, Priolo initially played basketball at the University of Windsor before transferring to Brock University, where he joined the lacrosse program. The switch allowed him to focus on the sport that would become his professional career, and he continued to sharpen the defensive skills that scouts had begun to notice.
Outside of the collegiate game, Priolo gained valuable experience in senior and junior box lacrosse circuits. He played for the St. Catharines Athletics and the St. Catharines Saints during his amateur development, organizations that helped him adjust to the physical demands of men’s box lacrosse. He also spent time with the Brooklin Redmen, broadening his exposure before the NLL transition.
Steve Priolo Career
Early Career (2010–2012)
Priolo was selected 21st overall by the Buffalo Bandits in the 2009 NLL Entry Draft. He earned a roster spot for the 2010 NLL season, beginning his professional career as a defensive-minded player learning the indoor game. In his first seasons, he adjusted to the pace and physicality of the NLL while continuing to play in the Canadian summer box lacrosse circuit.
These early years were about establishing himself as a reliable defender in Buffalo. He built his reputation on positional play, shot-blocking instincts, and the willingness to play through contact, traits that have defined his career ever since.
Buffalo Bandits Breakthrough (2013–2022)
Priolo’s emergence as one of the NLL’s top defenders was cemented in the 2013 and 2014 seasons, when he was named a finalist for the NLL’s Defensive Player of the Year Award in back-to-back years. That recognition reflected his growing role within the Bandits organization and the respect he earned from coaches and opponents around the league.
Throughout the middle of his career, Priolo remained a steady presence on Buffalo’s back end. He also continued to compete in Major Series Lacrosse, playing for the Six Nations Chiefs and the Brooklin Redmen, which kept his game sharp during the NLL offseason. His combination of size, stick work, and defensive IQ made him a foundational piece of the Bandits’ roster throughout the decade.
Buffalo Bandits Championship Era (2023–2025)
The 2023 season marked the first of three consecutive NLL Cup Championships for Steve Priolo and the Buffalo Bandits. The title run validated years of work for a veteran defender who had long been one of the team’s most consistent players. Priolo’s role as a shutdown defender helped Buffalo’s offense operate with confidence, knowing the back end was secure.
In 2024, Priolo also represented Canada at the 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championships in Utica, winning a gold medal on the international stage. The following year, he added a third consecutive NLL Cup ring in 2025, cementing his place in one of the most successful stretches in Bandits history.
Defensive Style and Strengths
Priolo plays a physical, positionally sound defensive game from the back end. His 6-foot-5 frame and right-handed shot allow him to cover large areas of the floor, disrupt passing lanes, and absorb contact along the boards. Teammates and coaches have long valued his composure in transition and his willingness to take on the opponent’s top offensive assignments.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of Priolo’s career are his three consecutive NLL Cup Championships with the Buffalo Bandits in 2023, 2024, and 2025, his back-to-back finalist nods for NLL Defensive Player of the Year in 2013 and 2014, and his gold medal with Canada at the 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championships in Utica.
Steve Priolo Career Wins
Steve Priolo has built a career defined by team success, with three NLL Cup Championships to his name and a gold medal at the international level. While defensive statistics are not always reflected in traditional scoring totals, his fingerprints are visible on every championship run the Bandits have produced in recent years.
NLL Highlights
Priolo’s first NLL Cup win came in 2023, capping a long road to a title for both him and the Buffalo Bandits franchise. He followed it up with championships in 2024 and 2025, completing a rare three-peat at the top of the National Lacrosse League. His two NLL Defensive Player of the Year finalist appearances in 2013 and 2014 remain the clearest individual recognition of his defensive impact.
Other Wins and Performances
On the international stage, Priolo won gold representing Canada at the 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championships in Utica. He has also competed in the Major Series Lacrosse with the Six Nations Chiefs and the Brooklin Redmen, gaining summer experience that has complemented his indoor career.
Steve Priolo Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Public information about Steve Priolo’s family background is limited, and he is known primarily through his professional career. Born and raised in St. Catharines, Ontario, he has remained connected to the region throughout his playing days, including with his early amateur clubs in the area.
Personal Life
Details about Steve Priolo’s personal life, including marital status, are not widely documented in public sources. He continues to reside in the North American lacrosse community, where he maintains an active presence with fans through social media.
2025 Season Performance
Steve Priolo entered the 2025 NLL season as a three-peat chasing veteran and one of the cornerstones of the Buffalo Bandits’ defensive unit. His experience, paired with his size and positioning, has remained central to the team’s identity as it pursues another deep postseason run.
That pursuit came to fruition in 2025, when Priolo helped the Buffalo Bandits capture their third consecutive NLL Cup Championship. The title further cemented his legacy as one of the most decorated defenders of his era and reinforced his value to a franchise that has dominated the league in recent seasons.
With another championship secured and an international gold medal already in hand from 2024, Priolo’s standing in the sport is firmly established. As he continues his career with the Bandits, he remains a steady defensive presence and a key leader in Buffalo’s championship culture.