Boston Cannons
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Sport | Lacrosse |
---|---|
Founded | 2001 |
League | Premier Lacrosse League |
Colors | Navy blue, red, silver, white |
Head coach | Sean Quirk |
Championships | 2 (2011, 2020) |
Division titles | 2004, 2005 |
Mascot | Boomer |
Website | Cannons LC |
Uniforms | |
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The Cannons Lacrosse Club are a Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) professional men's field lacrosse team formerly based in Boston, Massachusetts. They played in Major League Lacrosse (MLL) from their inaugural 2001 season up until the league merged with PLL and won two Steinfeld Cup championship games. The team's home field was Veterans Memorial Stadium in nearby Quincy.[1]
Franchise History
The Cannons Lacrosse Club identity was adopted following the MLL-PLL merger in December 2020 for the team formerly known as Boston Cannons. They were the only MLL team identity to continue into the 2021 PLL season. The Boston Cannons were one of the original six teams of Major League Lacrosse (MLL), and the only team from the MLL's inaugural 2001 season to stay in the same market, without folding or moving elsewhere. MLL was founded by Jake Steinfeld, Dave Morrow, and Tim Robertson. The Cannons Founder and President is Matt Dwyer. From their inaugural season of 2001 through 2003, the Cannons played their home games at Cawley Memorial Stadium in Lowell, Massachusetts. In their inaugural 2001 season, the Cannons finished with a record of 3-11 but still qualified for the playoffs finishing in second place in the division. In 2004, they moved to Nickerson Field at Boston University where they played through the 2006 season. In 2007, they moved to Harvard Stadium in Allston, a neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts[2] which is less than 2 miles from Nickerson Field and also less than 2 miles from the Cannons' main office in Boston, Massachusetts. Boston qualified for the MLL playoffs 2001–2006, 2009-2011 and 2015. The Cannons won the 2004 and 2005 MLL American Division championships.
2011 championship season
The Cannons won the Steinfeld Cup for the first time in 2011, defeating the Hamilton Nationals 10–9. Boston went 9–3 in the regular season, their best record since going 10–2 in 2005. After losing to Chesapeake 13–9 in the 2010 semifinal, the Cannons avenged the Bayhawks by defeating them 14–13 in the 2011 semifinal with a goal from Max Quinzani. Boston became the fifth charter franchise to win a championship. By 2011, the Cannons were one of four charter franchises still in the league that started with six teams in 2001. The other three remaining charter franchises (Lizards, Bayhawks, and Rattlers had all previously won at least one Steinfeld Cup (The defunct Barrage had won three). Head coach Bill Daye stepped down a month after winning the Steinfeld Cup, citing he wanted to spend more time with his family.[3] As of 2016, Daye is still the franchise's all-time leader in coaching victories with 43 and the only head coach with multiple playoff victories.
2013–2018
The Cannons in 2013 and 2014 finished 5–9 and 6–8. This included a 1–5 start in 2013 leading to Steve Duffy's firing on June 10.[4] John Tucker took his place and played .500 for the rest of the season. After the Cannons missed the playoffs for the fourth time in franchise history in 2014, Tucker led the team back to the postseason in 2015 as the 8–6 fourth seed. They played the New York Lizards and lost 16–15 in overtime. The Lizards went on to win the Steinfeld Cup.
John Tucker left the Cannons after the 2015 season to become the first head coach and general manager of the expansion team Atlanta Blaze. On October 8, 2015, Sean Quirk was announced as the sixth head coach in franchise history.[5] In an odd 2016 year in which seven of the league's nine teams, including the Cannons, finished with identical 8-6 records, Quirk's team was not rewarded with one of the four playoff spots after tie-breaking procedures. On December 20, 2016, it was announced that John Tucker would be returning to the Cannons as the team's offensive coordinator in 2017.[6] Tucker was fired mid-season by the Blaze after a 3–7 start.
Despite a Week 1 win in 2017, the Cannons season turned around. At 3–6, the Cannons traded away captain Will Manny and Joe LoCascio to the New York Lizards for Dave Lawson and Chris LaPierre on June 27.[7] On July 14, the Cannons announced that neither Lawson nor LaPierre would suit up for the team that season. Dave Lawson informed team officials that he would be retiring from the league while Chris LaPierre decided not to report to the team.[8] The Cannons finished the season on a six-game losing streak. At 3-11, the Cannons posted the worst record in the league and tied their franchise-worst record from 2001, their inaugural season.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f7/Boston_Cannons_logo.svg/250px-Boston_Cannons_logo.svg.png)
2019–2020: New pro lacrosse landscape and second title
Following the 2018 season, Paul Rabil launched the Premier Lacrosse League, baiting over 140 MLL players to migrate over. However, the Cannons maintained more of their roster than other teams like the Dallas Rattlers or Rabil's New York Lizards.[9] Two months prior to the start of the 2019 season, the league cut the team roster from nine to six when the Ohio Machine and Florida Launch folded and Charlotte Hounds suspended operations for two seasons.[10] Taking this to their advantage, the Cannons posted a 9–7 record in 2019, good enough for the third of four postseason seeds and gave Boston its first playoff berth since 2015. Boston faced the Denver Outlaws in the semifinal, who were also hosting Championship Weekend. The Cannons got off to a hot start and led by as many as six goals, but ultimately fell, 17–15, ending their season.[11]
2019 was the Cannons' first season in Quincy. During the offseason they announced a move to and $1.5 million renovation of Veterans Memorial Stadium.[12] The Cannons announced two sellouts in their first season in the updated venue.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 season was shortened to five regular season games in seven days, all to be played in front of no fans at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland. The Cannons finished fourth place out of six teams with a 3–2 record, and were the only team to defeat the Denver Outlaws in the regular season. Heading into the postseason, the Cannons were scheduled to play the Outlaws in the semifinal. However, after a player from the Chesapeake Bayhawks experience symptoms of COVID-19 and eventually tested positive, the two other postseason competitors, Chesapeake and Connecticut, withdrew from the tournament. The Cannons' semifinal game with the Outlaws was pushed back a day and would be played as the championship. Boston defeated Denver for the second time in two days, the latter in 13-10 fashion for the franchise's second title, first in nine years.[13] Newcomer attackman Bryce Wasserman, who played for the Dallas Rattlers the season before, was named league MVP for 2020.
2020-Present: PLL Cannons Lacrosse Club
On December 16, 2020, in a statement from Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the Boston Cannons officially became the 8th team in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL). To fit league nomenclature, the team would be dropping "Boston" from their name and become "Cannons Lacrosse Club." Their roster will be set via expansion draft, and the team will begin play in the PLL in the 2021 season. Small tweaks to the former Boston Cannons resulted in a PLL crest and logo reveal on January 12.[14] One week later, the league announced Sean Quirk would continue coaching at the helm of the Cannons identity.[15]
General Managers
- David Gross (2001–2005)
- Jason Chandler (2006–2007)
- Mark Kastrud (2008–2011)
- Kevin Barney (2011–2017)
Current Coaching Staff
- Head Coach - Sean Quirk
- Assistant Coaches - TBD
All-Time Head Coaches
# | Name | Term | Regular Season | Playoffs | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GC | W | L | W% | GC | W | L | W% | |||
Boston Cannons | ||||||||||
1 | Mitch Whiteley | 2002 | 14 | 3 | 11 | .214 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
2 | Scott Hiller | 2003–2005 | 50 | 32 | 18 | .640 | 5 | 1 | 4 | .200 |
3 | Bill Daye | 2006–2011 | 72 | 43 | 29 | .597 | 6 | 2 | 4 | .333 |
4 | Steve Duffy | 2012–2013 | 20 | 10 | 10 | .500 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
5 | John Tucker | 2013–2015 | 36 | 18 | 18 | .500 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
6 | Sean Quirk | 2016–2020 | 68 | 31 | 37 | .456 | 3 | 2 | 1 | .667 |
Cannons Lacrosse Club | ||||||||||
— | Sean Quirk | 2021– | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Roster
2020 Boston Cannons | ||||||
# | Name | Nationality | Position | Height | Weight | College |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Nick Marrocco (C) | ![]() |
G | 6 ft 0 in | 180 lbs | Georgetown |
2 | Bryce Wasserman | ![]() |
A | 6 ft 3 in | 190 lbs | Monmouth |
3 | Kyle Weber | ![]() |
M | 6 ft 2 in | 200 lbs | Bates |
4 | Dom Madonna | ![]() |
G | 5 ft 11 in | 180 lbs | Syracuse |
5 | Cal Dearth | ![]() |
M | 6 ft 3 in | 215 lbs | Boston University |
9 | Ben Spencer | ![]() |
M | 6 ft 4 in | 215 lbs | UMass |
12 | Zach Goodrich (A) | ![]() |
M | 6 ft 2 in | 200 lbs | Towson |
13 | John Uppgren | ![]() |
A | 5 ft 11 in | 190 lbs | Tufts |
17 | Jason Brewster | ![]() |
D | 6 ft 0 in | 190 lbs | UMBC |
18 | Tim Edwards | ![]() |
M | 6 ft 2 in | 195 lbs | Canisius |
23 | Challen Rogers | ![]() |
M | 6 ft 4 in | 220 lbs | Stony Brook |
26 | Scott Corcoran | ![]() |
LSM | 6 ft 0 in | 180 lbs | Merrimack |
32 | Kevin Reisman | ![]() |
FO | 5 ft 11 in | 210 lbs | Limestone |
36 | Nate Farrell | ![]() |
FO | 5 ft 10 in | 190 lbs | RIT |
41 | Mark Cockerton (C) | ![]() |
M | 5 ft 10 in | 185 lbs | Virginia |
42 | Charlie Ford | ![]() |
D | 6 ft 2 in | 205 lbs | Georgetown |
47 | Kyle Jackson | ![]() |
A | 5 ft 9 in | 166 lbs | Michigan |
55 | Scott Hooper | ![]() |
D | 6 ft 1 in | 200 lbs | Virginia |
75 | John Yozzo-Scaperotta | ![]() |
M | 6 ft 2 in | 215 lbs | Brown |
77 | Justin Pugal | ![]() |
D | 6 ft 2 in | 230 lbs | Stony Brook |
81 | Matt Gilray | ![]() |
LSM | 6 ft 4 in | 205 lbs | Bucknell |
83 | Randy Staats | ![]() |
A | 6 ft 2 in | 200 lbs | Syracuse |
88 | Frank Brown | ![]() |
M | 6 ft 3 in | 210 lbs | Hobart |
92 | Mike Skudin (A) | ![]() |
D | 6 ft 2 in | 205 lbs | Hofstra |
95 | Bryan Cole | ![]() |
M | 6 ft 3 in | 190 lbs | Maryland |
MLL Award Winners
- Conor Gill: 2004
- Paul Rabil: 2009, 2011
- Matt Poskay: 2010
- Bryce Wasserman: 2020
- Scott Hiller: 2002, 2005
- Bill Daye: 2011
- John Tucker: 2015
- Sean Quirk: 2020
- Paul Rabil: 2009, 2011, 2012
- Matt Poskay: 2010
- Chris Garrity: 2005
- Kip Turner: 2010
- Nick Marrocco: 2019
Season-by-Season
Boston Cannons | |||||
Year | W | L | % | Regular season finish | Playoffs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2001 | 3 | 11 | .214 | 2nd in American Division | Lost semifinal 12–11 to Bayhawks |
2002 | 7 | 7 | .500 | 2nd in American Division | Lost semifinal 15–10 to Bayhawks |
2003 | 7 | 5 | .583 | 2nd in American Division | Lost semifinal 20–14 to Lizards |
2004 | 8 | 4 | .667 | 1st in American Division | Won semifinal 24–16 over Bayhawks Lost championship 13–11 to Barrage |
2005 | 10 | 2 | .883 | 1st in American Division | Lost semifinal 19–14 to Lizards |
2006 | 8 | 4 | .667 | 2nd in Eastern Conference | Lost semifinal 17–12 to Barrage |
2007 | 5 | 7 | .417 | 3rd in Eastern Conference | --- |
2008 | 7 | 5 | .583 | 3rd in Eastern Conference | --- |
2009 | 6 | 6 | .500 | Tied for 3rd in MLL | Lost semifinal 11–10 to Outlaws |
2010 | 8 | 4 | .667 | Tied for 1st in MLL | Lost semifinal 13–9 to Bayhawks |
2011 | 9 | 3 | .750 | 1st in MLL | Won semifinal 14–13 over Bayhawks Won championship 10–9 over Hamilton Nationals |
2012 | 9 | 5 | .643 | 3rd in MLL | Lost semifinal 16–10 to Bayhawks |
2013 | 5 | 9 | .357 | 6th in MLL | --- |
2014 | 6 | 8 | .529 | 5th in MLL | --- |
2015 | 8 | 6 | .571 | 4th in MLL | Lost semifinal 16–15 to Lizards |
2016 | 8 | 6 | .571 | 7th in MLL | --- |
2017 | 3 | 11 | .214 | 9th in MLL | --- |
2018 | 5 | 9 | .357 | 7th in MLL | --- |
2019 | 9 | 7 | .563 | 3rd in MLL | Lost semifinal 17–15 to Denver |
2020 | 3 | 2 | .600 | 4th in MLL | Won championship vs. Denver 13-10 |
Totals | 134 | 121 | .525 | Total Playoff Record 4 - 11 Playoff Win % = .267 |
Draft History
First Round Selections
- 2001: None
- 2002: Steve Dusseau, Georgetown (2nd overall); Conor Gill, Virginia (3rd overall)
- 2003: Chris Fiore, UMass (3rd overall)
- 2004: Chris Passavia, Maryland (6th overall)
- 2005: Johnny Christmas, Virginia (5th overall)
- 2006: None
- 2007: Kip Turner, Virginia (2nd overall)[17]
- 2008: Paul Rabil, Johns Hopkins (1st overall)[18]
- 2009: Brandon Corp, Colgate (4th overall)[19]
- 2010: Max Quinzani, Duke (3rd overall)[20]
- 2011: Shamel Bratton, Virginia (6th overall)[21]
- 2012: None
- 2013: Cam Flint, Denver (6th overall)[22]
- 2014: Scott McWilliams, Virginia (8th overall)[23]
- 2015: Ryan Tucker, Virginia (4th overall); John Glesener, Army[24]
- 2016: Greg Coholan, Virginia (6th overall), Brandon Mullins, Syracuse (9th overall)[25]
- 2017: Sergio Perkovic, Notre Dame (2nd overall)
- 2018: Trevor Baptiste, Denver (1st overall)
- 2019: Zach Goodrich, Towson (3rd overall)
- 2020: Nick Mellen, Syracuse (4th overall)
Community involvement
The Cannons often reach out to the local community, hosting a variety of lacrosse camps and events for local youth.[26] In addition, the Cannons support MetroLacrosse, by arranging scholarships for MetroLacrosse players and donating tickets for each home game to MetroLacrosse players and families. MetroLacrosse also maintains a booth in the Fan Zone for each home game.
References
- ^ "Boston Cannons Moving To Veterans Memorial Stadium In Quincy". CBS Boston. December 4, 2018. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
- ^ "Cannons move to Harvard Stadium". BostonCannons.com. Archived from the original on 2007-05-16. Retrieved 2007-05-15.
- ^ Bill Daye stepping down as Boston Cannons head coach
- ^ Steve Duffy out as Cannons coach
- ^ "Cannons hire new head coach". Archived from the original on 2016-08-22. Retrieved 2016-06-13.
- ^ "2017 Coaching Staff Announcement". Archived from the original on 2016-12-27. Retrieved 2016-12-26.
- ^ Manny, Lawson headline Boston/New York Trade
- ^ The Boston Massacre: The blockbuster Lizards/Cannons trade hasn't aged well for Boston
- ^ Paul Rabil launches Premier Lacrosse League
- ^ MLL disbands three teams
- ^ Boston Cannons fall short to Denver Outlaws in MLL semifinal
- ^ Boston Cannons, City of Quincy announce $1.5 million in renovations for Veterans Memorial Stadium
- ^ Cannons win 2020 MLL championship
- ^ "Premier Lacrosse League Unveils New Logo, Branding for Cannons LC". US Lacrosse Magazine. January 12, 2021.
- ^ "SEAN QUIRK NAMED HEAD OF COACH OF PLL'S CANNONS LC". US Lacrosse Magazine. January 19, 2021.
- ^ "https://twitter.com/bostoncannons/status/1280518390604496898/photo/1". Twitter. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
{{cite web}}
: External link in
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- ^ http://www.laxpower.com/laxnews/news.php?story=7332
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 2014-02-06.
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: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 2014-02-06.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ http://www.laxpower.com/laxnews/news.php?story=20479
- ^ http://www.majorleaguelacrosse.com/press-release/1956/mll-draft-results
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-02-26. Retrieved 2014-02-06.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-02-09. Retrieved 2014-02-06.
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: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-01-26. Retrieved 2015-01-24.
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: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-30. Retrieved 2016-04-04.
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: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Boston Cannons Lacrosse Camp Schedule". Activity Hero.