Vinc announced his decision Thursday in a letter to Bandits fans. Over 20 NLL seasons, Vinc established himself as one of the greatest goaltenders the sport has ever seen. The St. Catharines, Ontario native retires as the NLL’s all-time leader in regular-season wins (182), saves (11,824) and minutes played (17,836). He was named NLL Goaltender of the Year a record eight times.
Vinc also captured six NLL championships, winning three consecutive titles with the Rochester Knighthawks from 2012-14 before helping the Buffalo Bandits win three straight from 2023-25. His career included stops with the San Jose Stealth, New York and Orlando Titans, Rochester Knighthawks and Buffalo Bandits.
His retirement will become official once the League completes its standard transaction process.
Vinc reflects on his 20 seasons in the NLL, the relationships he built along the way and what the game has meant to him throughout his career.
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Vinc shared a photo of an autographed lacrosse ball alongside a message reflecting on his career and announcing his decision to retire from the NLL.
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Following the announcement, the lacrosse community shared their congratulations and celebrated Vinc’s impact on the game.
It actually happened? I thought Vino would play forever.
The GOAT of the crease hangs em up and shooters rejoice. https://t.co/4CetoUYYrr
— teddy jenner (@TeddyJenner) August 20, 2026
Matt Vinc:
– 11,823 regular season saves. Nobody else has reached 8,000
– All time leader in playoff saves, wins, and minutes. In each case, he has more than the 2nd and 3rd most combined.
– In NLL history, there have been two teams to threepeat. Vinc was the goalie for both.— Dan Arestia (@danarestia) August 20, 2026
In sports, we toss around the term GOAT far too often.
But with Matt Vinc, perhaps we don’t use it enough.
And not just for lacrosse. Perhaps one of the most dominant athletes of our generation. Truly one of a kind.
Congrats on a legendary career, 48! 🐐 https://t.co/NUpNsB24Ce
— Pat Gregoire (@PGreggy) August 20, 2026
One of the best to ever do it!
Congratulations to Matt Vinc on his retirement from professional lacrosse#GriffsinthePros pic.twitter.com/t8EuKj8WHr
— Canisius Lacrosse (@GriffsMLax) August 20, 2026
Without a doubt, the greatest goaltender of all time in the box game.
A superior athlete and true leader of the orange and black.
Always available for interviews and explanation of how he viewed the game.
Thank you, Matt Vinc. https://t.co/kpyffsFQrL— John Gurtler (@lajollawaves) August 20, 2026
With the 2013 NLL Championship on the line, Vinc came up with a crucial late stop to help the Rochester Knighthawks secure the second title in what would become the first 3-peat of Vinc’s career.
The save that secured the 2013 NLL title 🤯
Looking back at one of the most memorable moments of Vinc’s legendary career 👏 #NLLClassics pic.twitter.com/P0b6aWuglW
— NLL (@NLL) August 21, 2026
The League says goodbye to perhaps one of the greatest players to ever step between the pipes
A legendary career comes to a close.
Matt Vinc has officially retired after 20 seasons in the National Lacrosse League. pic.twitter.com/Q0BGLfqxLg
— NLL (@NLL) August 21, 2026
