Fraser Valley Bandits 2022 Free Agency Update

Tejpaul Garcha • April 11, 2022

The Fraser Valley Bandits lace up for their inaugural season at Langley Events Centre on May 25th.


A new venue brings excitement for fans new and old as the club’s fanbase from across the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland regions eagerly awaits a new entertainment product and revamped game presentation. 


The Bandits have welcomed new additions to the squad. Head coach Mike Taylor is one of them. Taylor is a decorated coach coming off a historic run with the Polish men’s basketball team that saw Poland rise from 42 to 13 in the world rankings during his tenure, which lasted from 2014 to 2021. Taylor is excited to coach the Bandits and help the team win. 


“As a new coach coming in, I want to beat everybody. You know, the end goal is a championship and whoever is competing for that championship, those are the people you want to compete with,” Taylor said.


The 20 game Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season will feature key matchups against rivals, as well as one game at home and on the road against each of the CEBL’s expansion franchises.

 

The Montréal Alliance, Newfoundland Growlers, and the Scarborough Shooting Stars are the latest additions to the CEBL fold. The Shooting Stars are the first expansion team to challenge the Bandits when they visit the LEC on June 18th. 


An issue last season for the Bandits was road trips. The Bandits finished 2-5 on the road last season. With three new teams scattered further east in Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland, CEBL road trips will be more difficult this season. Taylor has determined areas of address that he believes will help the team remedy its woes on the road.


For Taylor, it begins on the defensive end.


“You've got to have an improved defensive mentality,” Taylor said. “If you want to be a championship calibre team, defence travels well, so you got to make the commitment to defend. That's number one.”


The former bench boss for the Maine Celtics of the NBA G League is looking to maximize the team's potential this season. After a Fraser Valley championship berth in 2020 and a trip to the semifinals in 2021, he knows that the Bandits' fanbase is hungry for a big season.

Free Agency in Full Swing


All signs point towards an exciting 2022 campaign for the Bandits thanks to the arrival of some key returning players in Alex Campbell and Malcolm Duvivier, as well as the recently announced signing of a left-handed sharpshooter, Murphy Burnatowski. 


The 6-foot-8 forward had an impressive showing in Basketball Champions League Americas (BCLA). Burnatowski started four out of six games and averaged 10.3 points per game and shot 38.7 percent 45% from beyond the arc throughout six games played in Nicaragua and Canada.


Taylor has high praise for Burnatowski.


"He makes his teammates better out there on the court. You talk about a guy that can impact the game from the front court – I think Murphy is that,” Taylor said.


Burnatowksi previously suited up for the Hamilton Honey Badgers in 2019, helping the club advance to the CEBL finals.

Key Matchups in Ontario 


Here are storylines to look forward to before the Bandits tip-off on May 25th: 

 

Guelph Nighthawks (Historical Head-to-Head Record: 3-3)

 

The Bandits look to win the tiebreaker this season against their rivals from Guelph. The two franchises have a history together. In 2020 the Bandits beat the Nighthawks to earn a bye to the CEBL semifinals in the final regular season game of the CEBL Summer Series. In 2021, the Bandits defeated Guelph 104-84 on Aug. 15, 2021, in an emphatic quarterfinal playoff win that sent Fraser Valley to CEBL Championship Weekend in Edmonton.

 

The Nighthawks host the Bandits on June 15 and will visit LEC on July 15.

 

Niagara River Lions (Historical Head-to-Head Record: 2-5)

 

Following an 84-82 semifinal defeat at the hands of the River Lions in the 2021 postseason, the Bandits are ready to bounce back The two teams will meet in Langley in July. Niagara will then host the Bandits on July 25. 


Hamilton Honey Badgers (Historical Head-to-Head Record: 2-4)


The Bandits will travel to  FirstOntario Centre on May 27 and look to notch their first-ever road victory against the Honey Badgers.


The June 27 matchup will also be Burnatowski’s first game against his former CEBL team.

LATEST NEWS

By Bandits Staff December 13, 2025
Vancouver Bandits guard Kyle Mangas has signed a two-way contract to join the San Antonio Spurs. The news was announced Saturday by the NBA G League on social media. Mangas was a key member of the Bandits’ best season in franchise history as the club amassed a 19-5 record. During the 2025 summer campaign, Mangas finished top five in points (15.3), rebounds (4.6), assists (3.3) and steals (1.3). His stellar performance earned him a call up to the San Antonio Spurs’ NBA Summer League squad in July 2025. At the conclusion of the 2025 CEBL season, Mangas suited up for San Antonio’s NBA G League affiliate, the Austin Spurs, dressing in 10 games. Mangas becomes the third player to sign an NBA two-way contract after playing for the Bandits; the most from any Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) franchise (2023: DJ Steward - Chicago Bulls, 2024: Tazé Moore - Portland Trail Blazers). Mangas is one of two Bandits players to have signed with an NBA organization in 2025-26. Tyrese Samuel signed an Exhibit 10 contract in September 2025 and is working his way towards a two-way contract. More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok , as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter . Fans interested in learning more are kindly invited to subscribe to Bandits Insider for updates or contact the Bandits at 604-455-8881 or tickets@thebandits.ca.
By Bandits Staff December 11, 2025
The Vancouver Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) have teamed up with Envision Financial , a division of First West Credit Union, in a groundbreaking partnership that redefines the fan experience and deepens community connections. Under this multi-faceted agreement, the Bandits’ home court at Langley Events Centre will officially be known as “Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre.” This move marks a significant milestone in the Bandits’ growth and underscores Envision Financial’s deep commitment to the communities of British Columbia. The relationship extends well beyond venue naming, aligning both organizations around culture, youth development, and community engagement. “This partnership with Envision Financial represents an investment in the long-term growth of basketball in British Columbia,” said Dylan Kular, President of the Vancouver Bandits. “Their values align deeply with our commitment to community, accessibility, and creating meaningful experiences for families across British Columbia.” Beyond the naming rights, the partnership delivers impact: Heritage Series: Co-presented by Envision Financial, these marquee game nights will honour Indigenous, South Asian and Filipino communities, creating vibrant cultural celebrations for fans. School Tour: Envision Financial joins the Bandits Community Foundation to expand youth leadership and basketball education. Last season, the program visited 77 schools and hosted 12 free coaches’ clinics. “Partnering with the Vancouver Bandits is about creating something meaningful together, " says Tamara Hendsbee, President at Envision Financial. “By bringing culture and sport to the forefront, we can help communities flourish and open doors for youth to learn and grow. Naming the court is just the beginning; through the Heritage Series and School Tour, we’re proud to work alongside the Bandits to deliver experiences that unite fans and build stronger communities across British Columbia.”  This upcoming season the Bandits will carry forward this strategic collaboration with Envision Financial as a cornerstone of their game-day identity, cultural engagement and community legacy.
By Bandits Staff December 2, 2025
Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular has been named a recipient of a 2025 B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Annual Award, announced by the Government of B.C. on Tuesday. The annual awards celebrate people and organizations that demonstrate leadership in promoting multiculturalism, anti-racism and intercultural understanding. Nearly 50 people and organizations were nominated for 2025 awards, recognizing contributions to building inclusive communities. In addition to Kular, three people and one organization are also receiving the B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Awards for their exceptional efforts to fight racism and promote inclusion in British Columbia. “These award recipients exemplify the values of inclusion and respect that strengthen our province,” said Niki Sharma, Attorney General. “Their leadership and creativity are inspiring. I am proud to honour their exceptional efforts to break down barriers, foster inclusion and build stronger, more equitable communities across British Columbia.” Kular was named a recipient of the “Breaking Barriers” award, which recognizes individuals and organizations for their work in tackling systemic or institutional racism and reducing barriers for marginalized communities. “It is an honour to receive this recognition from the Government of B.C . This award truly reflects the collective efforts of our entire organization,” said Kular. “Our team ownership group provides the leadership that empowers our organization to build and foster meaningful change. The Vancouver Bandits and Bandits Community Foundation are committed to continue breaking barriers and connecting communities across B.C. through the sport of basketball.” Under Kular’s leadership in 2025, which saw him earn CEBL Executive of the Year honours for a league-record third time, the Vancouver Bandits led efforts in building inclusive communities through sports and partnerships with Indigenous organizations and diverse populations across the province. Through partnerships and initiatives through the Bandits Community Foundation , such as the Indigenous Basketball Collective , in collaboration with the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I-SPARC) and the Junior All Native Tournament (JANT). Kular and the Bandits worked to address systemic barriers and foster meaningful engagement, particularly for individuals with intersecting identities and those in remote areas. “Advancing anti-racism and intercultural trust requires courage, collaboration and commitment,” said Amna Shah, parliamentary secretary for anti-racism initiatives. “These honourees demonstrate all three values through their actions every day. Their efforts to break down barriers and amplify marginalized voices are making a real difference in schools, workplaces and communities across B.C. I am deeply grateful for their leadership and inspired by the positive change they continue to drive.” The B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Awards are part of the government’s broader efforts to counter hate and racism by celebrating and empowering local, community-based advocates. Since launching in 2008, more than 60 individuals and organizations have been honoured. Other initiatives include: an anti-hate community support fund that supports marginalized and at-risk groups with funding for security equipment, graffiti removal and repairs to damaged property the Resilience BC Anti-Racism Network that connects communities with the information, supports and training they need to respond to and prevent future incidents of racism and hate the B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Grants, which provide funding to support projects that tackle racial inequity and foster intercultural understanding throughout the province the Racist Incident Helpline, which partners with local organizations to connect people who have experienced racism with resources to help them heal
By Bandits Staff November 19, 2025
The Vancouver Bandits and Bandits Community Foundation announced the launch of its School Tour program for the 2025-26 school year. The program will see Vancouver Bandits’ Head Coach & General Manager, Kyle Julius, visit secondary schools across British Columbia to host basketball skill and training sessions with student-athletes and their teams. Entering its third year, this free-of-charge initiative is part of the Bandits’ ongoing commitment to fostering youth basketball and building community connections throughout the province. The tour will run from November to February and will make weekly stops in different cities. Starting this week, communities that will be visited within the first two weeks of the program include schools in Abbotsford, Mission, Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. The full schedule will be announced soon as additional communities are confirmed. Julius, a passionate advocate for youth sports development and mentorship, will be working directly with student-athletes and volunteer coaches at each school visited to offer insights into the game while emphasizing key life skills such as teamwork, resilience, and discipline. Throughout the tour, Julius will provide each secondary school’s basketball program with dedicated and tailored practices along with motivational talks and training materials. Each visit aims to elevate the game of basketball in BC high schools and offer a unique opportunity for students and coaches to learn from BC’s only professional basketball coach. The School Tour program is proudly supported by Preston Chevrolet and NOVO Dental Centre, community-minded sponsors who believe in the value of sports as a catalyst for positive change. During the previous 2024-25 school year, the Vancouver Bandits School Tour and Julius visited with 77 high school teams across British Columbia from November 2024 to February 2025.

LATEST VIDEO

By Bandits Staff August 18, 2025
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By Bandits Staff August 4, 2025
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By Bandits Staff July 26, 2025
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