Connor Fields has been playing lacrosse his entire life and has had a plan for how his time with the game would play out.

"In my mind growing up it was college for field lacrosse," Fields said. "Try and win a national championship. Then indoor I wanted to play for the Bandits."

First things first, Fields was a two-time All-American at Bishop Timon, setting the New York state record with 129 goals as a junior. The Tigers won state championships in 2012 and 2013.

He then went on to play four years at Albany, finishing his career 2nd all-time in Division I history with 364 points. He is 4th all-time in goals scored with 199.

However that national championship never was achieved.

Still, Fields next step on his lacrosse path did take him to the pros, with both the Premier Lacrosse League (outdoor) as well as the National Lacrosse League (indoor).

His NLL stop began in San Diego, which wasn't the best for someone working a sales job on the other side of the country during the week.

"I had to fly out a lot of Fridays and miss work and it was getting tough," Fields explained. "I was using my vacation days and it was becoming long weeks where I was flying out on Fridays and flying back on Sundays. I was losing like a full day flying home on Sundays. It was a lot on me and my family."

So Fields told the Seals he couldn't do it anymore and asked to be traded back east.

He gave no list of destinations.

Actually thinking a return to Albany seemed most likely to join the expansion FireWolves.

But on August 28th, 2021, a childhood dream became reality.

"I think you could tell the excitement on my face when I got that call," Fields said. "I think they knew right away where I was going, my family. So it was really cool."

Fields was dealt to the Bandits for two draft picks.

"I was going to as many Bandits games as I could," Fields remembered from growing up. "I was a huge fan, so for it to come full circle, it's been an awesome experience. Like I said, it's been my dream as a kid to not only be a professional lacrosse player, but to play for the Bandits. For it to come full circle, it's still surreal to me. Thinking back, wearing a Bandits jersey as a kid in the stands and now on the field, it's a really cool experience."

One of the coolest parts of Fields Bandits experience has been having his favorite player growing up now be his head coach.

"I just remember as a kid going in my backyard and pretending to be John Tavares," Fields said. "In the backyard trying to do some of the things he's doing in games, whether it was the crease dive or whatever. Behind the back. It was just a lot of fun to watch and to be coached by him, it's super cool. I try to pick his brain as much as I can because he's one of the best if not the best of all time."

Fields has instantly made an impact for the Bandits, tied for the team lead with 17 goals in 8 games. Buffalo's 7-1 start to the season has them atop the East division.

This all coming as the Buffalo kid gets to live out his pro dream in Banditland, with friends and family watching from where he used to years ago.

Which is something not lost on Fields.

"In the pregame and building up to it the whole week, it's super exciting and I don't think that'll ever go away," Fields said. "My excitement to have that logo on my chest. But when the game starts, as soon as that whistle blows, I think everything drops and you're just thinking about doing the best for the team. Whatever you can do in winning that game. Then enjoying it afterwards too. Taking in the moment. But before and after games I'm definitely thinking about how lucky I am to be playing here and how thankful, but during games it's all about winning."